Commercial Electrician: What Businesses Need

A commercial electrician handles the electrical work for shops, offices, F&B outlets, clinics, warehouses and other business premises in Singapore. That covers installation, upgrades, fault-finding, testing and maintenance, plus the paperwork that keeps you compliant with the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and your landlord. For anything beyond simple plug-in appliances, the person doing the work should hold the correct EMA licence.

Commercial jobs are different from home jobs because the loads are bigger, the safety and inspection rules are stricter, and downtime costs you money. A good commercial electrician plans the work around your trading hours, sizes the supply correctly, and hands you the certificates you need for fit-out approval, insurance and your electrical installation licence.

What does a commercial electrician actually do?

The scope is wider than most people expect. It runs from a single new circuit for a coffee machine to a full distribution board and sub-main for a new unit.

Typical commercial jobs include:

• New tenant fit-outs: power points, lighting, data trunking and the distribution board (DB)
• Upgrading electrical supply or single-phase to three-phase for heavier equipment
• Kitchen and F&B wiring for ovens, hoods, chillers and water heaters
• Emergency lighting, exit signs and fire-related electrical works
• Fault-finding, tripping issues and load balancing
• Periodic testing, maintenance and DB inspections for compliance

When do I legally need a Licensed Electrical Worker in Singapore?

Almost always, for commercial work. Under EMA rules, electrical installation, repair and maintenance work must be carried out by a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW), which covers Licensed Electricians and Licensed Electrical Technicians and Engineers depending on the size of the installation. Doing notifiable electrical work without the right licensed person is an offence.

On top of that, most business premises need an electrical installation licence if the approved load is above the threshold set by EMA (commonly where the load exceeds 45 kVA). That licence has to be taken up and renewed by an appointed LEW, who is also responsible for the safety and testing of the installation. If you are not sure which category you fall under, a qualified electrician can check your load and tell you.

How much does a commercial electrician cost in Singapore?

It depends heavily on scope, so treat any single figure with caution. Small jobs like adding a few power points or fixing a tripping circuit often fall in the low hundreds of dollars, while a full unit fit-out with a new DB and sub-main can run into several thousand or more.

Cost drivers to expect:

• Size of the load and whether you need a supply upgrade or three-phase
• Amount of cabling, trunking and making-good of walls and ceilings
• Whether works are done after hours or over a weekend to avoid downtime
• Testing, certification and any licensing or renewal work by the LEW
• Access, height works and coordination with your landlord or building management

What certificates and approvals should I get?

Ask for documentation, not just a working socket. Proper paperwork protects you during landlord handover, insurance claims and any future EMA checks.

At minimum you should receive:

• A Certificate of Compliance or test results signed by the LEW for the works done
• Updated single-line diagram or DB schedule if the distribution board changed
• Confirmation of the electrical installation licence status if your load requires one
• Records of any inspection or periodic testing carried out

How do I hire the right commercial electrician?

Check the licence first, then check the fit for your type of premises. An electrician who mostly does homes may not be set up for three-phase kitchens or after-hours mall fit-outs.

Before you commit, confirm the following:

• They can provide a valid LEW licence number appropriate to your load
• They have done similar commercial jobs (F&B, retail, office or industrial)
• The quote itemises materials, labour, testing and certification separately
• They can work around your trading hours and coordinate with building management
• They give a clear warranty on both workmanship and parts

Where can I get commercial electrical work done?

If you run a shop, office, clinic or F&B outlet and need a fit-out, an upgrade or ongoing maintenance, our commercial electrician service handles the wiring, distribution boards, testing and certification with a Licensed Electrical Worker so your premises stay compliant.

We can scope the job around your trading hours, size the supply correctly and hand over the certificates you need for landlord approval and insurance. Send us your unit details and what equipment you plan to run, and we will advise on load, licensing and cost before any work starts.

Frequently asked questions

Can any electrician do commercial work in Singapore? No. Notifiable electrical work must be done by a Licensed Electrical Worker whose licence class matches the size of your installation, and larger premises need an appointed LEW to hold the electrical installation licence.

Do I need three-phase power for my business? Only if your equipment demands it. Heavy kitchen gear, large aircon and industrial machines often need three-phase, while a small office or retail shop may run fine on the existing single-phase supply. An electrician can measure your total load and advise.

How long does a commercial fit-out take? A simple job with a few points may be done in a day, while a full unit with a new DB and sub-main can take several days to a couple of weeks, depending on scope, testing and any landlord or building management coordination.

What is an electrical installation licence and do I need one? It is an EMA licence required for larger installations, commonly where the approved load exceeds 45 kVA. It must be taken up and renewed by your appointed LEW, who is responsible for the safety and testing of the installation.