Complete Electrical Finishing Guide
Electrical finishing is the stage the occupant sees — outlets, switches, and lighting. But it also completes the electrical safety system through final connections and testing. Choosing poor materials at this stage means outlets that damage appliances, switches that fail within months, and lighting that causes eye strain. This guide explains how to choose and what to expect.
Quick Answer
Electrical finishing for 100m² apartment: Legrand Mosaic 40–70 EGP/point, Céliane 80–150 EGP. Stages, what's decided at finishing stage only, and quality checks.
Professional Electrical Finishing Components
Outlets in the Egyptian market: Legrand Céliane (highest quality, EGP 80–150/point) — Legrand Mosaic (budget-friendly with decent quality, EGP 40–70/point) — Schneider Unica (strong alternative, similar pricing to Mosaic) — Panasonic Wiring (available in Egypt, mid-range quality). Avoid unbranded Chinese outlets from El-Ataba market.
Switches — types and functions: Standard switch (Single Pole), two-way switch for corridors and stairs, dimmer switch for lighting control. Egypt market warning: cheap dimmers from El-Ataba are not LED-compatible — they cause flickering and premature LED failure. Only use dimmers explicitly rated for LED loads.
Recessed LED lighting (Downlight/Spot): Recessed LED in suspended ceilings is most common. Choose lamp diameter (7cm for focused light, 9cm for spread) and beam angle (24° focused, 60° spread). Lifespan: 25,000–50,000 hours.
Linear LED (Strip/Profile): LED strips in kitchen cabinets, decorative cornices, and alcoves add aesthetic depth. Choose LED strip with CRI ≥ 90 for true colors, and color temperature 2700–3000K for rooms (warm) and 4000K for kitchen and bathroom.
Final connections and panel: During finishing, all outlets and switches are installed and connected to the main panel. Breakers are labeled and arranged per the panel diagram. Operational testing of every circuit is performed before final handover.
Bathroom and kitchen requirements: Bathroom outlets must be IP44 and installed more than 60 cm from shower/basin. Kitchen needs IP44 outlets near the countertop with separate RCD protection for each line.
Common finishing mistakes: Installing outlets without flush boxes, using under-rated outlets (13A standard for 16A appliances), and installing standard dimmers on LED lights (requires LED-specific dimmers).
Electrical Finishing Process Step by Step
Before Start
Materials & Design Coordination
Review panel diagram and point count, specify outlet/switch/lighting brands, and deliver all materials to site. Finishing does not begin until materials are fully on-site — mid-job waiting doubles labor day cost.
Day 1
Install Flush Boxes & Frames
Fix outlet and switch boxes into walls, and ceiling roses into the ceiling. Verify every box is flush and aligned with the final finish level (tile, marble, or paint) to avoid cover plates protruding from the wall.
Days 2–3
Install Outlets, Switches & Lighting
Connect cables to outlets and switches, fix cover plates. Install lighting units in suspended gypsum ceilings and cornices. Egypt note: ceiling lighting is installed after the carpenter finishes the gypsum — mandatory pre-coordination with the plastering contractor, otherwise work halts.
Day 4
Panel Connections & Breaker Labeling
Connect all circuits to the main distribution panel and clearly label each breaker (Bedroom 1, Kitchen, Master Bathroom). Review panel diagram to confirm phase balance and that no single circuit is over-loaded.
Day 5
Circuit Testing & Fault Finding
Test every outlet with a socket tester, test all lighting by live operation, and test RCD protection breakers using the test button. Any fault is corrected on this day before calling the client — this step avoids costly return visits.
Day 6
Final Walkthrough & Handover
Walkthrough with the client testing every point in their presence, followed by handover of a completion report listing brand names and breaker references. Egypt tip: keep a copy of the handover report — you will need it for any future repair or addition.
Expected Duration by Property Type
FAQ
What exactly is the difference between foundation wiring and electrical finishing?
Foundation wiring = installing cables and conduits inside walls before plastering (done before plastering and painting). Finishing = installing outlets, switches, and lighting and connecting the panel after plastering and painting are complete.
Is Legrand worth the price premium?
Yes. A Legrand outlet withstands 10,000+ operation cycles vs 2,000–3,000 for budget products. It includes child safety shutters and higher sealing quality. The price difference is recovered through much longer lifespan and avoided replacement costs.
What color temperature is best for home lighting?
2700–3000K (warm white) for bedrooms and living areas — creates a warm, relaxing feel. 4000K (neutral white) for kitchen, bathroom, and work areas — shows true colors and reduces eye strain. Avoid 6500K (cool white) inside the home.
How many outlets does each room need?
Bedroom: 4–6 outlets (2 bedside, 1 desk, 1–2 for appliances). Living room: 6–8 outlets (TV, AC, audio, chargers). Kitchen: 4–6 outlets above counter plus fixed appliance outlets.
Do I need a permit to replace outlets and switches?
Simply replacing outlets and switches (without modifying cables or the panel) generally does not require a permit. But any modification to cable routes or the distribution panel requires a licensed electrician and may require a local authority permit.
What does electrical finishing cost for an apartment in Egypt 2026?
Finishing cost (excluding foundation wiring) is priced per point: Bronze materials: EGP 150–250/point — Silver (Legrand Mosaic): EGP 250–400/point — Platinum (Legrand Céliane): EGP 400–600/point. A 120m² apartment with ~60 points costs EGP 9,000–36,000 for finishing alone, depending on materials tier.
What is the difference between Legrand Céliane and Mosaic in Egypt?
Céliane is Legrand's flagship line: curved elegant design, larger face plate, higher seal quality, and wider options (USB, HDMI, dimmer). Mosaic is the professional economy line: simple rectangular design, fewer options but same electrical quality standards. For most mid-range Egyptian apartments, Mosaic is the optimal quality-to-price choice.
How many days does electrical finishing take for a 120m² apartment?
A 120m² apartment typically takes 4–6 working days: one day for flush box installation, two days for outlets and lighting, one day for panel connections, and one day for testing and handover. Factors that extend the timeline: complex gypsum ceiling decoration, waiting for the carpenter to finish, or delayed material delivery to site.
When does electrical finishing start relative to other finishing trades?
Electrical finishing starts after: (1) plastering, rendering, and first coat of paint are complete — walls must be fully dry. (2) Suspended gypsum ceilings are installed, since lighting goes into them. Electrical finishing generally precedes flooring, parquet, and interior door installation.
How do I estimate the total cost of a complete electrical installation (foundation + finishing) for my property in Egypt?
Total cost splits into two parts — (1) Foundation wiring, priced per m²: Bronze EGP 90/m² | Silver EGP 110/m² | Platinum EGP 140/m². (2) Finishing (outlets, switches, lighting), priced per point: Bronze EGP 150–250/pt | Silver EGP 250–400/pt | Platinum EGP 400–600/pt. Sample quotes: 90m² apartment (~45 points) at Bronze tier ≈ EGP 15,000–19,000 total. 120m² apartment (~60 points) at Silver tier ≈ EGP 28,000–37,000 total. 300m² villa (~120 points) at Platinum tier ≈ EGP 90,000–114,000 total. Key factors that raise the price: multiple floors, concealed cassette ACs, central water heaters, generator/UPS. To get an accurate quote, request an itemized BOQ (Bill of Quantities) listing point count, circuits, and exact material models.