What tech wiring in new build house?

[Clone]

We put the blocking in the shower (with a low entry sill) and around the toilet to allow for grab bars. Document where they are! That way, if we ever need them, we can install the bars.

We have two sump pumps, one is the standard configuration (in this town they go out to storm sewer), the second goes out onto the lawn. The second pump is 4 inches higher than the first pump. Each pump is on it's own dedicated circuit. Sump pits are sealed pits and plumbed for radon mitigation. Very low cost to add this when building.

We put a laundry hookup in the mud room, and a second in the master closet. Some folks prefer one or the other. We were not certain where we wanted it. This way we have the option.

Put a heavy 220 outlet in the garage for my welder. Conveniently, this would also work for an electric car if we (or future) inhabitants might want one. There would be financial incentive today to do that.

Not necessarily related to tech wiring, but relevant to new construction.

One other thought, consider mounting points for things like security cameras, wifi repeaters, TVs, etc. You can put the blocking in and use it in the future if needed.

 

[mpeirce]

We're renovating a house too and are trying to keep things simple.

20 years ago when our current house was built we ran Cat5 ethernet, coax, and telephone to every room. It all came together in a utility room where the utilities entered the house. This served us well. But we'd do it differently now.

WiFi has gotten very good and the next few generations will only make it better. So instead of ethernet in each room, we're only running ethernet cabling from the hub closet to the two TV areas. Wired networking still has advantages over wireless for streaming.

The hub closet will be where the cable internet comes into the house. We also have an LTE hotspot router there as fall back internet access. Our main router can detect when one internet connection goes down and automatically switches to the other one. We also have a Tablo connected to an antenna there, so that's the source of our OTA TV. Finally, we'll have a good sized UPS to keep the network alive during short power outages.

The location of the hub closet is upstairs facing the TV towers for good reception. It also has an outside wall which allows LTE (or later 5G or later someday) access. I could see a satellite internet setup there someday (SpaceX or any number of other companies planning this).

I don't see the point of telephone wiring (obviously) or even coax. So there won't be any of that. I can't see using cable or satellite TV ever again.

It is important to supply plenty of power around the house, so there's plenty of that.

As to USB charging ports, we're not going to build then in since we're already moving from USB A to USB C port types now. And all our phones use wireless charing pads, so there's that. This is an area changing fast, so we're locking into anything here.

So that's what we're planning...

 

[mpeirce]

Oh one other thing.

We wired up a nice surround sound system in the current house. Again, it served us well.

But in the new place we're forging that. No need to wire it up. No need for a somewhat pricey receiver.

Since we route all out TV watching through the Apple TV, we are going to use two HomePods as our TV speakers. It sounds as good or better than the surround sound (both sound GREAT). We loose the spacial trick of a sounds "behind us", but frankly, don't really care any more.

We gain a lot in simplicity and loose very little.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

Not tech wiring, but if/when I ever build a house I will make sure they install multiple circuits for the kitchen counters. Between the microwave, toaster, electric kettle, espresso machine, etc. we feel like the Douglases on Green Acres counting appliances so the breaker doesn’t trip.

 

[Dash man]

Could be. I'm focused on wireless so haven't kept pace with the latest cabling standards.

FYI, my new tv wouldn’t work an Apple TV in 4K without Cat 7

 

[Bamaman]

The subject has just about been covered above. But security has been overlooked, and I'd hardwire the house and install a bunch of security cameras that feed into a DVD system. The DVD unit would be placed in a very difficult place to find or in an attic.

And I'd put a 110 volt receptacle up high where a security system "head" unit could be placed out of reach. Most alarm systems now are battery powered and transmitted by cell signal to monitoring services. And a lot of thought should be put into the security system--covering the home from top to bottom--and in between.

I would also check into the cost of installing 12 volt lighting for most of the overhead lighting inside and outside of the house.

Lastly, I would be looking to install the most efficient HVAC system and insulation possible.

My "new to me" home just presented me with a shock--the first heating bill.

 

[Katsmeow]

We are building a home that we might live in for a while. Our current house is wired to the max for tech, but we currently have no home phone and only use wifi for our TV (Roku + YouTube TV). So if it were up to me, all we would have in the new house is electrical outlets. But that might not be good for resale. I don't want to spend a bundle on cat5, telephone, cable, surround sound wiring and what not. So, what would you want in a house for tech wiring? We have our design meeting in Jan and have to pick what to put in.

We are just completing extensive remodeling of our house. One of the things that I noticed while doing was how much wiring there was in the house that was now obsolete. You don't need telephone wiring. Even wiring for cable is useless for us (we use a streaming service which I think is very much the future -- cable seems antiquated). The previous owner did a lot of wiring to put speakers in the ceiling in several rooms and on the patio. We needed to move some of that wiring and we ended up just leaving it unattached in the ceiling (before it hooked up to a Sonos). Why? Really wireless solutions make more sense for us. Just use Bluetooth speakers on the patio, etc. As we did our remodeling we removed a lot of the "old" stuff. If I was doing stuff new now I wouldn't put in wiring because it will probably be obsolete when you sell.

Oh one thing we constantly did during the remodeling process was add in additional electrical outlets (we also put in a new electrical panel). Also where we plan to have TV located we put the outlets on the wall behind where the TV will be located.

We put the blocking in the shower (with a low entry sill) and around the toilet to allow for grab bars. Document where they are! That way, if we ever need them, we can install the bars.

We gutted our master bath and part of what we did was take out the tub and put in a shower with no door and no curb. We put in one grab bar near the handheld shower and put in blocking for a second one if ever needed. We have pics of the room before the sheetrock was put on so we know exactly where the blocking is located. We also have a sheet of paper with the dimensions written on it.

 

[Jerry1]

I think the responses to this thread demonstrates that there’s no practical way to cover everything. I agree with the conduit to get you to each level and maybe each room but I think the most important thing is plenty of receptacles and plenty of circuits. I live in an older house. The room we chose for our office has two receptacles from the original build. An additional one was added by the previous owners, but they tied into another circuit. I’m about to run another line with 20 amps so I can get my printer and a few other things on a separate circuit.

It’s not really that hard to run lines in my house, but when I lived in a cape cod, the only common walls from the basement to the attic were outside walls filled with insulation. Conduit would have been nice to have. Point is, to look at your house and see how difficult it would actually be to run a line in various places.

 

[COcheesehead]

LOL, it’s all wireless now. It will also all change.
We recently toured a house with iPod sockets in each room. So 2006.
Our current house is wired for sound. We don’t use it. We had Sonos in many rooms in our old house. Today we wouldn’t use it.
We have solar. We assume it will be obsolete soon.
We have a battery backup in the house.
We assume it will be obsolete soon.

My only advice is be flexible. Everything changes faster than you anticipate.

 

[nphx]

Wires in garage under drywall for the garage door sensors, cat6 down to garage so your Tesla can connect to Wifi - and his and her 220v plugs in the garage. Conduit and possibly conduit/wire from circuit breaker box up near roof in case solar is added later.

 

[target2019]

I would go for conduit as a minimum. You have to think a ahead as to what drops you'll need between switches and other network equipment in the future.

In our 2-story plus basement, I wish I had conduit from basement to attic, as well as basement to first floor. In the mid 90's I had a friend help me run Cat 5e from attic to basement, and it was no fun whatsoever.

 

[Bir48die]

Makes me want to watch a rerun of Tim the Tool Time Taylor.

 

[Ronstar]

Another thought for OP or anyone building a new house.

Our house is a 1 story with walk out basement. Quite long. And with my electric panel at the opposite end of the house compared to the kitchen. So I have have a lot of long electric runs.

It’s best to have the electric panel close to the fixtures that the panel is wired to - to save on wire and electrician costs.

 

[Katsmeow]

LOL, it’s all wireless now. It will also all change.
We recently toured a house with iPod sockets in each room. So 2006.
Our current house is wired for sound. We don’t use it. We had Sonos in many rooms in our old house. Today we wouldn’t use it.
We have solar. We assume it will be obsolete soon.
We have a battery backup in the house.
We assume it will be obsolete soon.

My only advice is be flexible. Everything changes faster than you anticipate.

This is so true. Last year we bought an existing house where they had wired various rooms for sound and had two Sonos that was attached to the in house speakers and to the patio speakers. I thought it was such a good idea that when we moved into the house we bought one Sonos (we didn't think we would use the patio speakers that much). Well, We used it a few time but now we don't. When we remodeled and to take out the Sonos we didn't even put the wires into the new room to move it there. We recognized that it had become obsolete for us. One of the people working on our house even mentioned that most people just use wireless bluetooth speakers for things like the patio.

 

[target2019]

Our home has a large amount of telephone wire snaking through the attic, walls, basement, and garage. All of it is worthless, now, IMO.

Conduit will be useful into the future, even with WiFi gaining strength, literally. You'll still benefit from hard connections between certain spaces in the house.

 

[Red Badger]

I'm about to build out a man-bunker in our basement. I'll run some conduit as "just in case." Otherwise foregoing all wiring beyond 110 and low volt. As others have stated, I think most wired solutions have arrived at (or are on the glide path to) obsolescence. I'd rather spend that money on another box of drywall screws. But that's just me.

 

[RunningBum]

Better answers at https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=298231

Better than our answers? Blasphemy!
Actually it did take them a few posts to mention running a conduit, which I still think is a great idea for flexibility. You may want to run some string thru it as well, especially if it's got bends.

 

[Music Lover]

Assuming you're not asking about electric, I'd say none. Everything is wireless today!

I've friends with homes built in the 80's with built-in speakers installed in the ceilings and network wiring to every room... it just looks very old, speakers sound terrible, network jacks are oxidized and work poorly.

I wouldn't wire speakers into every room a house except maybe in a designated media room but I did run wires for good quality speakers in the soffits by the deck and am glad that I did.

 

[HFWR]

Old phone/cable/etc wiring can always be used to fish “new” soon-to-be-obsolete wiring... [emoji41]

 

[ERD50]

I wouldn't wire speakers into every room a house except maybe in a designated media room but I did run wires for good quality speakers in the soffits by the deck and am glad that I did.

Careful with speaker wiring. If you are set up with powerful amplifiers, the signal can get into voltage and power ranges where you need to follow wiring guidelines for 110V circuits, which may mean conduit, depending on local codes. A big amp might provide 800 watts peak, and that's 80 volts and 10 amps into 8 ohms. IIRC, most codes limit "low voltage" wiring to 48 V and maybe an amp?

-ERD50

 

[OldShooter]

... security has been overlooked, and I'd hardwire the house ...

Yes. I forgot to mention this, but when we gutted and remodeled our present house we put a complete hard-wired security system in. Door and window sensors, glass break sensors, heat and smoke detectors, panic button in MBR, battery backup, etc. It was not expensive as the wall studs were completely open/no fishing.

We've actually never hooked up to a monitoring station, but I'm happy to have the option. And if I want to upgrade at this point many of the sensors can simply be hooked to a new more modern control box. For others, the old sensor can be replaced with something newer on the same wires.

Re blocking for grab bars, why not just put the bars in? I just added a bar to our master bath after DW had a hip replaced. It is an attractive almond color that matches the tan travertine marble tiles very closely. Not institutional-looking at all. If I wanted an even closer match I would have had the thing lightly sandblasted and then powder coated the exact color I wanted. Wild guess: under $200.

 

[HI Bill]

For me, there are a few mandatory things:

Home theater speaker wiring: Runs to all speakers. No way I'm going wireless.
Home theater power: In-wall/ceiling power outlet for projector or TV; Large conduit for HDMI cable from AVR to projector, so the cable can be replaced as standards change.
Ethernet: Cat6 cables to all router/hotspot/repeater locations, if you have a big house.

 

[OldShooter]

Careful with speaker wiring. If you are set up with powerful amplifiers, the signal can get into voltage and power ranges where you need to follow wiring guidelines for 110V circuits, which may mean conduit, depending on local codes. A big amp might provide 800 watts peak, and that's 80 volts and 10 amps into 8 ohms. IIRC, most codes limit "low voltage" wiring to 48 V and maybe an amp?

Really? I have never heard this, even in the context of radio studios and recording studios where I worked while in college and graduate school. I am also not sure I'd want to be within two blocks of someone who actually owned and used an amp putting out 800 watts. Link or citation?

 

[statsman]

Ethernet: Cat6 cables to all router/hotspot/repeater locations, if you have a big house.

I've seen some suggest Cat 7, but isn't that overkill given the current costs and not being backward compatible with Cat 6 and earlier standards?

For the house we purchased this year we had them upgrade from Cat 5e to Cat 6 (550 Mhz). With AT&T gigabit Internet, I have much more speed than I had before (180 Mbps previously). We're getting 940+ Mbps (wired) on a 6 year-old Win 7 PC.

With the limit of Cat 6 at 10 Gbps, I have to believe this will suffice for future upgrades.

 

[Music Lover]

Careful with speaker wiring. If you are set up with powerful amplifiers, the signal can get into voltage and power ranges where you need to follow wiring guidelines for 110V circuits, which may mean conduit, depending on local codes. A big amp might provide 800 watts peak, and that's 80 volts and 10 amps into 8 ohms. IIRC, most codes limit "low voltage" wiring to 48 V and maybe an amp?

-ERD50

Nothing that powerful....deck speakers for music, 100 watts each. I used regular 16 gauge speaker wire.