8 Electrical Tips for New Builds

Building a new home or renovating your current one is an exciting time for many.

It’s fun to think about what your property will look like. What architectural style and interior design elements should you choose?

But with all the decisions to be made, it’s easy to get quickly overwhelmed. This is why many homeowners forget or overlook the home electrical wiring requirements needed in their home.

Electricity is a crucial part of our lives which is why you need an electrical plan that is complete and organised.

If your new build’s electrical components are designed and implemented correctly, this will not only make your life easier but also add value to your property. If you fail to set up your new home’s electrical systems properly, it will cause a bigger headache down the road and even compromise your home’s safety and your family’s well-being.

Our experienced electricians have come up with this list of 8 tips to help you with your new build.

Taking the time now to work on your home’s electrical needs, while you are still building, can save you time, money and stress.

You will also have the opportunity to make your home as energy-efficient as possible.

Here are 8 essential tips regarding your electrical needs when building a new home.

1. Consider How Much Electricity You Will Use

When planning the electrical systems of your new home, you need first to determine how much electricity you will be using. The electrical load and service must be enough to handle your family’s daily needs.

You will have to list down all the electronics, appliances, lighting fixtures, and outlets per room. Your professional electrician or electrical contractor will help determine the proper type of wiring and gauge to match.

2. Plan The Locations of Your Electrical Outlets

Identify where you want power outlets located in each room as well as how many you will need in total.

Planning each room’s outlet requirements will make it easier for your electrician to ensure that the circuit, as well as the wiring used will be able to handle the electrical load safely.

If you don’t take the time to do this, you might end up with inconveniently placed outlets or even worse, too little outlets per room, causing you to use extension cords and power strips in the future, which can sometimes be the cause of dangerous electrical hazards.

Consulting with one of our qualified electricians can help you accomplish this task. Get out your home’s plans and start plotting your outlets with our help.

3. Future Proof Your Home & Plan for Easy Maintenance

Before you start building or renovating, plan your electrical systems in such a way that future maintenance will be easy for you, especially if a different group of contractors or electricians will handle the work then.

You can ask your electricians to photograph the wires and switches in each wall as well as include detailed diagrams of connections and more. These will help other electricians to avoid damage to your walls and wires.

You can also include future electrical related plans you might have.

Do you plan to install a home automation system or convert your home into a smart connected home in the future?  Are you thinking about going full solar within the next five years?

You can already set up provisional or advanced wiring and outlets for these projects while building your new home.

4. Ensure that Your New Home is Energy Efficient

As time goes on, the price of electricity will continue to go up, so take advantage and ensure that your new home will be energy efficient while you are still getting it built.

Make sure your house is energy efficient to save both the environment and your cash. Use eco-friendly materials as well as incorporate natural lighting and even the flow of the wind in its design.

Install LED lights and look into using timer switches and programmable appliances like air conditioners, thermostats and more so they can turn off automatically when not in use.

You can also install solar panels or at least make your home solar-power ready. Solar panels generate direct electricity, and you won’t have to depend entirely on the electrical company for your power supply.

5. Consider Electrical Safety, Convenience & Security

Think about the little electrical related things that can make your life easier and more convenient and include them in your build.

For example, in storage areas or the basement and attic, think about placing switches outside the room out in the hallway, so you don’t have to enter a dark room. Another tip would be to raise certain outlets to waist level or even higher if possible, so you or elderly relatives don’t have to stoop down. Raised outlets can help if your area is prone to flooding as well.

The safety of each family member must be taken into consideration too. Rooms that have water lines like the kitchen and bathroom would need extra planning to make sure all outlets won’t get wet.

You might want to include special socket caps or cord protectors if you have young children as well. And of course, motion-activated lights will be a big help for young and old family members alike especially in high-risk areas such as the stairs and entryways/back doors.

Finally, think about installing a security CCTV system that can be linked to the internet and your smartphones and tablets for further protection.

6. Ensure Connectivity

Plan out your phone lines, cable and satellite TV installations as well as your Internet-related wiring. Figuring this all out pre-build is the best time because all the wiring can be included with the rest and you won’t get stuck with ugly, exposed, and a spaghetti-like mess of wires after you move in.

7. Plan Your Home’s Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Systems

Talk to your electrical contractor or your electrician about your home’s ventilation, cooling and heating systems as early as you can.

This way, any wiring, load requirements or special equipment that might be needed to install them once your home is nearer completion can already be prepared.

8. Don’t Forget Your Backyard

Who doesn’t love backyard and holiday decorations?

So while you’re about to build your new home, go all the way and plan your holiday lighting too! Add extra outlets outdoors for any front yard decor you plan to install in the future.

Inside your home, add a dedicated christmas tree outlet as well as on your mantle, ceilings and more. Have your electrician include them in one dedicated circuit so you can switch them on and off all at the same time.

If you have a patio or backyard, include them in your electrical plans as well. Your garden pathways might need lighting, as well as your perimeter walls, pool or hot tub and even your outdoor grill.

Ready For Your New Build?

The last and possibly most important tip is to consult with a professional electrician early on in the process.

Don’t wait until the fit-out stage for an electrician to check what needs to be done.

Once your walls are up, there is no more going back to rewire or add any sockets or lighting. Unless, you’re willing to tear apart several walls and add thousands to your bills.

So make sure you choose the right electrician for the job.

We have a team of reliable, licensed and professional electricians that can assist with all your residential electrical needs.

If you’re about to build a new home or renovate an existing one, contact Smillie Electrical today and we can discuss your project.

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