Armoured cable power and lighting for gardens and outbuildings
Outdoor and Garden Electrics
Outdoor and garden electrics covers running power and lighting circuits outside the main house — typically an armoured cable run to a shed, garden office or outbuilding, plus garden lighting and outdoor sockets — installed to the specific requirements for outdoor electrical work.
Definition
What Outdoor Electrics covers
Outdoor electrical installations need to account for exposure to weather and the increased risk of an outdoor circuit, so armoured (SWA) cable is typically used for runs to outbuildings, and outdoor fittings and sockets need an appropriate IP (ingress protection) rating. This covers power to sheds, garden offices and outbuildings, garden lighting circuits, and outdoor socket additions.
Suitable for
- Power to a shed, garden office or outbuilding
- Garden and pathway lighting circuits
- Outdoor sockets for tools, pond pumps or garden equipment
- Properties adding a garden studio or workspace needing a dedicated circuit
Not suitable for
- Fixed outdoor electrics run using standard indoor cable without appropriate protection — this isn't something we'll do, regardless of cost saving
- Pond or water feature electrics beyond straightforward outdoor sockets, where specialist bonding requirements need separate assessment
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Assessment
Planning the cable route, distance from the consumer unit and what the circuit needs to power.
- 02
Installation
Running armoured cable at the correct depth, and fitting outdoor-rated sockets, switches or lighting.
- 03
Testing
Testing the circuit, including RCD protection appropriate to an outdoor installation.
- 04
Certification
Issuing certification for the completed circuit, notified under Part P where applicable.
Typical timescale
A straightforward armoured cable run and outdoor socket is typically completed within a day; longer runs or garden lighting circuits with multiple fittings take longer.
Cost guidance
Outdoor and garden electrical work typically costs £150–£600 per job in our area, with the cable run distance and number of fittings the main factors. We provide an itemised quotation after a site visit rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Ground reinstatement (turf, paving) disturbed by a cable trench is quoted separately unless specifically included
- Underground cable depth follows current guidance to protect it from future digging
- This is notifiable work under Part P for a new circuit and is certified accordingly
Areas we cover
Outdoor Electrics across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for outdoor electrics in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Outdoor Electrics FAQs
Do you use armoured cable for outdoor circuits?
Yes, this is standard practice for underground runs to outbuildings, protecting the cable against accidental damage and the demands of an outdoor installation.
How deep does an outdoor cable need to be buried?
This depends on the cable type and where it's routed — for example under a lawn versus a driveway. We follow current guidance and mark the route so you know where it runs.
Can I run power to a garden office myself and just have it checked?
No — a qualified electrician needs to carry out and certify notifiable work directly rather than signing off work completed by someone else.
Discuss your outdoor electrics project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.