Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 29, 2009 3:05 pm Hi everyone we are about to start building in the next few weeks just wondering if anyone out there has any other sugestions for electrical work. We have already included 2 way switches, down lights, surge protection and external lighting.I think we have coverd it all but if there any more ideas they would be greatly appreciated. Building Aberdeen 1, Bannockburn, Vic Re: Electrical upgrades?? 2Apr 29, 2009 3:10 pm Don't forget external power points, if you are going to want power outside! We put one in the alfresco and one on the other side of the house near the front. Much easier for Christmas lights. Re: Electrical upgrades?? 3Apr 29, 2009 3:12 pm Outside lights HEAPS of extra power points - think where the furniture is going to be and then think about things like TV's, lamps, Internet connection, computers, cordless phones, answering machines etc etc these all need power points. Do you have a powerpoint outside? Did you want an extra one in the garage in case you have a spare fridge/freezer out there one day? Where you have powerpoints, are they usable/sensible for when vaccuming? Are you getting a water tank put in after handover? Do you want a pump on it, then you need a power point 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Electrical upgrades?? 4Apr 29, 2009 3:14 pm Hi david, Just 1 small thing we did, was put a double power point inside the vanity unit. If you use an electric shaver or electric toothbrush you can charge them without having them all over the bench. Plus make sure you have power points outside and in the garage. We are putting a spa outside and it needs a 32 amp power point, cost about $400. Not sure whether you need this or not. Re: Electrical upgrades?? 5Apr 29, 2009 3:25 pm PieMan Just 1 small thing we did, was put a double power point inside the vanity unit. If you use an electric shaver or electric toothbrush you can charge them without having them all over the bench. We did this too in both bathrooms. It was also a safety thing for us... I don't like the idea of a plugged in electrical item on a bench near a bath.... especially with kids. Powerpoint up high in the alfresco if you have one, for a bug zapper. Quads everywhere you'll have a TV (TV, foxtel, DVD, etc, etc... double is never enough) I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Electrical upgrades?? 6Apr 29, 2009 3:27 pm Thanks everyone there are some more things for me to think about especially the pump, we are putting in a tank and did not think about the power for that. Thanks again. Building Aberdeen 1, Bannockburn, Vic Re: Electrical upgrades?? 7Apr 29, 2009 4:22 pm We just did our electrical appointment today. Apart from upgrading so many things $$$$ Some items of note were: External junction boxes for future garden lights Exhaust fans Ceiling Fan Light Heaters Dimmers on certain rooms Built 36sq Plantation "Retreat" on 4460m2 at Spring Mountain, Qld In Living and landscaping.. >>> ... http://retreatspring.blogspot.com Re: Electrical upgrades?? 9Apr 29, 2009 8:39 pm I heard that the down-lights are the most expensive part of the electrical work and not so much the amount of powerpoints you have around the place. Based on anyones experience (or the electricians on the forum) is this true? Also, is there some sort of formula or science behind the amount of downlights one should have layed out in a particular room e.g X amount for a room size of 3.5 * 4 m? Re: Electrical upgrades?? 10Apr 29, 2009 8:50 pm edtheved We were told that the average spend was around $3,000 at the electrical appointment. We thought that we were going to be alright with the basic inclusions, as our builder already had quite a few extras over the volume builders. That said, even with my dad being an electrician, we spent an extra $2,200 at the electrical appointment, and have spent around $2,500 on lights (we went to Light Up Australia) We're going to fit all the lights ourselves and either had a junction box installed for our downlights, or had battens installed where feature lights are going to go. I'm not sure if there's a formula for downlights, but you need a lot! (or expect to use lamps to be able to see at night) Enjoy Our house thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=18335 Re: Electrical upgrades?? 11Apr 29, 2009 9:08 pm not sure if its Oz wide but here in Qld 80% of the home now needs to be energy efficient lighting. So there goes putting in any low voltage 50w halogen downlights. We are putting CFL downlights in most common areas and standard battens with nice fittings in other rooms. Outdoor however can be as energy hungry as you like. Our original provision like many in Plantation was $4000. Our sales guys said that would be oodles to do what the display home had i.e. downlights and power galore. We came out today spending well..... vast amounts above that. Built 36sq Plantation "Retreat" on 4460m2 at Spring Mountain, Qld In Living and landscaping.. >>> ... http://retreatspring.blogspot.com Re: Electrical upgrades?? 12Apr 29, 2009 9:25 pm I haven't put in any downlights and spent $1300 on electricals 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Electrical upgrades?? 13Apr 29, 2009 10:38 pm Hi David - you may find this older thread useful as it answers your questions about how many downlights per sq metre etc..: ihttps://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=12281 Building the 22sq Ashton Re: Electrical upgrades?? 14Apr 29, 2009 11:13 pm hi david you just need to sort out, what you require. home theatre, REQUIRE three double power points, bedrooms two POINTS (or three power points if television or if phone point for computer internet, other than wireless.) Certainly three double external if you want lights, water feature or christmas lights. For internal lights: single bedrooms, work out if study desk will be part of the furniture, if so go standard battern & dress up light shade. if you want down lights address room with two plus two over desk area. remember down lights are what they say they are down. Standard batten, (that is below ceiling) light fills the whole room with light. (to dress up a room requires money, which ever why you go) but it is important to address areas that need light or not. dimmers also help with the lighting. in short, work out where you need light. then decide what you want. if directional LIGHT REQUIRED, put down lights on that spot, if batten, then you may require one or two battens. maybe wall lights, or just lamps. you have to decide what is important to you. cinema, not many lights may be 4 downlights,if you have duel living/cinema more lights with dimmer, etc. remember all needs are individual, you have to decide. so does the budget! good luck Re: Electrical upgrades?? 16Apr 29, 2009 11:47 pm data and other cabling will also need to be factored in..... Kodiak Data Cabling onFaceBook Consult*, Design and Installation Data, TV, Home Theatre/ AV Cabling, Multi Room Audio, IP CCTV and Door Intercoms Ask for a Quote. *DIY DATA Cabling Is Ilegal Re: Electrical upgrades?? 17Apr 29, 2009 11:48 pm hey there Don't forget a power point in the ceiling over the home theatre (if you have one!) and don't forget dimmer switches for rooms you want dimmed (eg home theatre, master bed) Annie A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Electrical upgrades?? 18Apr 30, 2009 12:42 am Lots of two way switches are a must to get kids to switch lights off - save power. Master bedroom light switch by the bed ? Good idea with the lower pp in bedrooms. Just a question what was the added cost to add surge protection to your switch board? Re: Electrical upgrades?? 19Apr 30, 2009 7:07 am other ones we added powerpoint along wall in home theatre for sub woofer dimmers in all lounge areas powerpoints in pantry for freezer and microwave spare tv points (five in total) foxtel cabling to two points data cabling to upstairs point extra downlights over vanities in bathrooms At the eleventh hour we changed our garage door from a roller to a panel lift and the powerpoint got forgotten. Now I have a three inch pipe on the wall where they couldn't get through - barely noticeable but I'd preferred not to have had it. Fi has moved in!! Re: Electrical upgrades?? 20Apr 30, 2009 3:16 pm ozzroo not sure if its Oz wide but here in Qld 80% of the home now needs to be energy efficient lighting. So there goes putting in any low voltage 50w halogen downlights. We are putting CFL downlights in most common areas and standard battens with nice fittings in other rooms. Outdoor however can be as energy hungry as you like. Our original provision like many in Plantation was $4000. Our sales guys said that would be oodles to do what the display home had i.e. downlights and power galore. We came out today spending well..... vast amounts above that. Hi, How much were they quoting you for the CFL downlights? Also how much would each globe be by it self ? Newbie Must be labour only. One of those how long is a piece of wire questions. 4 4091 |