Many of us often wish we had certain wiring in place whenever we decide to take on a new project. Sometimes we wish we had wired speakers in certain areas so we can enjoy music when we are cooking or entertaining. Sometimes we wish we had wired internet connections around the home to really take advantage of the speed we pay the cable company for. Other times we wish we could hide all our equipment in one place, like that empty closet in the basement that we never use. These are things we try to remember when the walls are open during a remodel or new construction project, but I can tell you that no matter how well you remember it’s almost impossible to think about everything.
When the opportunity presents itself (and you are lucky enough to have the walls open for wiring) it is always best to consult a professional. A professional that specializes in structured wiring will not only remind you of what you can prepare for, but can tell you what type of wiring you need and how to run it. A poorly designed wiring plan is as good as no wiring plan and is a complete waste of money and resources. Nothing is worse than peppering your project with wiring only to realize that didn’t plan accordingly.
In our approach to wiring our first step is to interview our client and visiting the space. Many clients think that pre-wiring is a simple list of what the client wants to install in the home once the walls are closed. In fact, there are many other reasons to pre-wire. A comprehensive pre-wire plan might not add much to the value of your property, but it will certainly make your home more attractive to buyers. Buyers know that a house with a good wiring backbone is often cheaper in the long run to perform installation projects. They may pay more for your home or your home may be more attractive based on the wiring in your walls – used or unused. Another thing to think about is what you don’t want now, but may want in the future. If the backyard is currently a mess and you have not focused on improving the living space, pre-wiring for speakers is always a good idea. Most people stop there, but what about having a good internet signal? Maybe you want to control your pool when you finally get around to purchasing one? Could an outdoor television be an option? By wiring and preparing for those options now you could potentially save thousands of dollars in installation costs, but more importantly, be able to do the project whenever you get around to it with very little disruption and damage. As you can see, thinking about now AND thinking about later is important.
Our next approach is to suggest some technology and wiring plans as it relates to the structure of your home. That includes centralizing some of the wiring for items that conduct signal, like a wireless router. I am surprised at how many clients I visit that complain about the internet signal have a router located in some remote corner of the home, in some cabinet because that was the only option. Finding an ideal space for the equipment that conducts signals is important in every project. In addition, wiring to other locations for wireless access points is not only important in larger homes, but absolutely necessary. Running hard-line internet connections to high-production areas like a home office or bedroom desk is another great move. Why pay for that ultra-fast internet connection when it is reduced drastically by relying on wireless signals? A hard line connection will insure that you are getting your money’s worth in terms of speed and throughput from your network provider. Also, making sure every logical room has a video / cable connection and contingency wire will pay huge dividends later.
To extend on this concept, we ask the client to think about security. Security is not about alarms and sirens – it is the ability to have piece of mind in what is going on in and around the home at all times. Besides a good wiring plan for a security system you may want to wire for future surveillance cameras, motion detectors, door locks and garage control. People want to protect their homes from intruders, but they also want to keep an eye from the sky on their home when traveling, accepting deliveries, and making sure the kids got home on time – day or night.
Now that we covered some of the boring stuff, let’s get to the next part of the conversation – home theater, control and automation. Even though a lot of technology today today is wireless, there are many things to think about. Do you want to wire the home for whole-house music? Maybe you want to centralize all the equipment in one place and share it among the half-dozen televisions you own in the home? Controlling your lighting, climate, shades and door locks? Maybe not now, maybe not next month, but take my advice and wire for it. Remember, you may not use the wiring in your walls right away, in fact, you may never use it at all. But we guarantee you that you will never turn down the opportunity to take on a new project due to the in-feasibility of invasive wiring installation. You will also have a home that is more efficient, and less prone to the problems most people encounter.
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