Commercial Electrical
Retail Electrician
in Vancouver, WA
Good lighting sells products. Bad wiring closes stores. Your retail space needs the right amount of light on your merchandise, enough outlets for displays and POS equipment, and a panel that can handle the HVAC, signage, and back-of-house systems all running at the same time. Newman Electric wires retail spaces across Vancouver, WA. Whether you're building out a new store, expanding into the space next door, or upgrading a location that hasn't been touched in 20 years, Ryan and the crew get your space ready for business.
Retail Electrical Services
What Your Store Needs
Sales Floor Lighting
The right lighting makes your products look good and your space feel inviting. Newman Electric installs track lighting, recessed cans, display spotlights, and ambient fixtures. We plan the layout based on your floor plan so your merchandise gets the light it needs, and we install dimming controls so you can adjust the mood throughout the day.
POS & Register Circuits
Registers, card readers, receipt printers, and barcode scanners all need clean, dedicated power. Newman Electric runs circuits to each checkout station so your POS system doesn't share power with display lighting or the break room microwave. That means fewer dropped transactions and no surprise shutdowns at your register.
Signage & Exterior Lighting
Your sign needs to be lit when you're open and visible from the road. Newman Electric wires channel letter signs, cabinet signs, and LED menu boards. We also install exterior storefront lighting, window display lighting, and parking area lights. All on timers or photocells so they come on automatically.
Security Systems
Cameras, alarm panels, and access control all need power and low-voltage wiring. Newman Electric runs the circuits for your security system and coordinates with your security installer. We pre-wire during buildout so the cameras and sensors go where they should, not just where it's easy to run a wire later.
Display & Showcase Power
Refrigerated display cases, jewelry showcases, and powered kiosks need outlets in the right spots. Newman Electric installs floor outlets, wall outlets behind displays, and overhead drops for island fixtures. We plan the placement around your merchandising layout so the cords don't show.
Back Room & Stockroom
Your stockroom needs adequate lighting, outlets for receiving equipment, and circuits for any processing or shipping gear. Newman Electric wires the back of house during the same project as the sales floor so everything is done at once, not patched together after the fact.
Our Process
How Newman Electric Handles Retail Projects
Retail buildouts move fast. You've got a lease start date, a grand opening on the calendar, and a GC breathing down your neck about the electrical rough-in. Newman Electric keeps pace with tight timelines. Ryan coordinates with your GC and shows up when the schedule calls for it.
Walk the Space
Ryan looks at your space, reviews the floor plan, and identifies what the existing electrical can support. If you need a service upgrade or additional panels, he'll tell you upfront so it doesn't become a surprise halfway through buildout.
Bid with Full Scope
You get a detailed bid covering circuits, lighting, signage power, data drops, and any panel or service work needed. Newman Electric breaks the cost down by area so you know what the sales floor costs versus the back room versus the exterior.
Rough-In & Finish
We rough-in the wiring after framing and before drywall. Then we come back for the finish work: hanging fixtures, installing outlets, connecting your sign, and wiring the POS locations. The crew keeps the job site clean and works around other trades.
Final Walk & Inspection
Ryan does a walkthrough with you to verify every outlet, every light, and every circuit is where it should be. We close out the permit, pass the inspection, and hand you a store that's ready to open.
Codes & Requirements
Retail Electrical Code in Washington
Retail spaces have specific electrical and energy code requirements. Newman Electric builds to all of them.
WSEC: Energy Code Lighting Controls
The Washington State Energy Code requires automatic lighting controls in retail spaces, including occupancy sensors in stockrooms, restrooms, and offices. Daylight sensors are required near windows and skylights. Newman Electric installs controls that meet the energy code and help keep your electric bill down.
NEC 210.63: Service Outlet for HVAC
The NEC requires a 125V outlet within 25 feet of HVAC equipment for maintenance access. Newman Electric installs these outlets during buildout so your HVAC tech has power when they come to service the unit. Missing this is a common inspection fail point.
NEC 700: Emergency Lighting & Exit Signs
Retail stores are assembly or mercantile occupancies, which means emergency lighting and illuminated exit signs are required. Newman Electric installs battery-backed emergency lights and exit signs at all egress points per fire code and NEC 700.
WAC 296-46B: Washington Permits
Retail buildouts and electrical modifications require a permit. City of Vancouver handles its own permits (360-487-7890). Unincorporated Clark County goes through L&I (360-896-2300). Newman Electric pulls every permit and schedules inspections.
Customer Reviews
What Business Owners Say
"Newman Electric came out and gave a honest and fair price for installing a ceiling fan and bringing power to our bakery's ice machine. They had the work done within one week. They even fixed a prior problem we had with some wiring that the original electricians had done when we built out the space."
Local Bakery Owner
Retail Buildout
"Anthony was awesome! Professional, courteous, efficient and friendly. He was careful to ensure accurate placement of a new outlet prior to starting work. He performed the work quickly, safely and cleaned up when he was done."
Ashley N.
Outlet Installation
"Great communication- fast responses and thorough. Free estimate. The work we wanted was scheduled quickly."
Chris F.
Commercial Electrical
Common Questions
Retail Electrical FAQ
The electrical rough-in takes one to three days depending on the size of the space and the number of circuits. Finish work (fixtures, outlets, connections) takes another one to two days after the walls and ceiling are done. Newman Electric coordinates with your GC so the electrical stays on schedule with the rest of the buildout. Ryan gives you a timeline during the bid so you can plan your grand opening around it.
Yes. If your current store doesn't have enough outlets for displays, registers, or new equipment, Newman Electric can add circuits. If you have a drop ceiling, we can run the wiring above the tiles without opening walls. Ryan will assess your panel capacity first to make sure you have room for the additional circuits.
Yes. Any new circuits, panel modifications, or significant wiring changes require a permit. For retail buildouts, the electrical permit is part of the overall tenant improvement permit package. Newman Electric pulls the electrical permit and coordinates inspections with the building department.
It depends on what you're selling. Grocery and convenience stores need bright, even lighting (4000-5000K, high CRI). Clothing and boutique stores benefit from warmer light (3000-3500K) with accent spotlights on merchandise. Newman Electric installs the fixtures and can advise on color temperature and layout based on your product type and space.
Yes. Newman Electric wires channel letter signs, cabinet signs, LED message boards, and window neon. We run the dedicated circuit, install the disconnect if required, and connect the sign. If you're in a shopping center, we coordinate with the property management on sign placement and power access.
It depends on what the previous tenant left behind and what your store needs. If the layout is similar and the panel has enough capacity, you might just need to add some outlets and swap fixtures. If you're changing the layout significantly or adding equipment the previous tenant didn't have, you'll need some rewiring. Ryan comes out, looks at what's there, and tells you what needs to change. No charge for the estimate.
More Services
Related Commercial Services
Service Areas
Retail Electrician Serving
Vancouver, WA & Clark County
Newman Electric wires retail spaces across Clark County and Cowlitz County. Store buildouts in Camas, signage wiring in Salmon Creek, display lighting in Battle Ground. Ryan and the crew come to your store and get it ready for customers.
Need an Electrician
for Your Retail Space?
Newman Electric wires retail stores across Vancouver, WA. New buildouts, lighting upgrades, or signage wiring. Call Ryan for a free estimate.