Running Power to shed where consumer unit at front of house.

Question

Hi.  Looking to get some advice on running power to a garden shed

An uninsulated shed is around 25 meters from the rear of the house and the consumer unit/fuse box is at the front of the house which has no side access.  Looking for advice on whether it is possible or advisable to run power from the kitchen to an uninsulated shed and what a ballpark might be for what is required.  Have heard people say I could run power from the kitchen and run to another consumer unit in the shed.  No idea if that’s correct…I have no electrical knowledge and would obviously get someone in.   I may look in a few years to build a garden office but want a couple of sockets in the shed for power.  Would be grateful for pointers and an idea on cost. If did the trench to the shed to save time and cost.

Peter · Accepted Answer

You can run cable under the soil but it must be Armoured cable,  I would say 4mm 3core minimum to a small 4-way fuse box in the shed.

Jon · Answer

It definitely needs its own consumer unit In the shed to supply the sockets. 
It should be taken on its own supply from the house consumer unit in an armoured cable. 
Also, you need to check that you have adequate earth bonding in the property before any wiring is undertaken.

Neil · Answer

Power from the kitchen would only be suitable in all honesty for a single socket and a light.

If your plan is to change the shed into a garden office at something in the future then a dedicated supply is the way to go.

You do not say if the floor downstairs I  the house is solid or boarded. If boarded then an armoured cable could be run from the mains under the house and to the shed.

You would save money if you dug the trench to the correct depth.

With a dedicated supply of armoured cable you would be looking at around £800 - £950 I would estimate.

Kevin · Answer

Taking a supply from the kitchen is not the best advice given. Many issues regarding this practice.
Best to run a separate supply to the shed, the average price for this is around £600, then the installation of sockets and lighting would be on top. I hope this helps.

James · Answer

Just a couple of sockets can be run from, say, a kitchen circuit.

Gary · Answer

I agree with the above where possible, if only using a small amount of power (under 2.5kW) the supply could be taken from the nearest ring socket in the house, the outbuilding would still need its own consumer unit and earthing arrangements (if a modern house) but it sounds like you could do with at least a 20 amp supply which as in the previous comments you will need a supply back to the main consumer unit. It would be a lot cheaper if you dig a trench down to 450mm for a complete run (unless cable can be clipped to a wall part of the way) It’s difficult to price as the cable from the house to office is not known and is expensive, how many sockets are required, what type of lights etc, but on average I would budget from £350 - £500 though this could be miles out if you are going to have a bigger supply and the distance from the house to the office is going to be considerable
Gary Johnson 
Arc Electrical

Chris · Answer

Hi,
First of all, it has to be yes an individual supply, what we would call a TT system. So needs a new supply back to the consumer unit. Is your existing installation on an rcd? Realistically you need  a  proper survey to  compile a  proper design to suit your environment, the budget will depend upon what you use out there,  £500 for a  new circuit  that has to run through the house on a  new circuit is not unrealistic, but also depends how  safe the existing  installation is to  add on to

Patrick · Answer

Hi it all depends what power you will.be using in there and the distance from the house to shed

Paul · Answer

Whoever told you it would be ok to run a spur from the kitchen sockets is totally wrong as this is exceptionally dangerous
You would need a new circuit run from your DB to the shed using steel wired armoured cable of the correct diameter according to the power of the circuit and length of cable run
You would need an electrician to visit to give you an accurate quote as there are a lot of factors to consider to make this work

Running Power to shed where consumer unit at front of house.

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