Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 22, 2011 7:39 pm We're building a new house and was wondering the pro's n con's of doing the electrical work b4 and after the house is built?? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ http://www.flickr.com/photos/63144842@N05/5745537137/ Re: hi, newbie after some advice any help would be great!! 2May 22, 2011 9:39 pm I wouldn't dream of doing the majority of the electrical work after the house is built. Its much easier and probably cheaper to get the cables run behind the walls as the house is being built. The only work i would do afterwards is changing the light fittings from the standard battens to the fittings I like The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: hi, newbie after some advice any help would be great!! 3May 23, 2011 1:33 pm Very difficult to do electrical work after the plaster is up. If your builder is charging too much for the extras (which is why I'm assuming you've asked the question) you could try to do a deal with the builders electrician direct. Means you have to find out his details or come across him onsite. But then you have to make sure you get to him ontime etc. Can also open up a can of worms with who is responsible for what etc. A friend of mine also got his builder to allow him, (my friend) to use his own electrician. Might be another option for you. Re: hi, newbie after some advice any help would be great!! 5May 23, 2011 2:39 pm You should definitely get the builder to install all wiring / switches through the walls, but can save $ by having them only install bayonets and fit your own lights later (as bashworth said). If you're going multiple downlights, you can also save $ by having the builder install a single bayonet (complete with switch), then have your own electrician swap it for a downlight and extend the circuit to the other downlights after handover. Things like dimmers can also easily be done later (by swapping the wall plate). If you wanted to add fans etc later you can also get the builder to run a conduit down the wall for you to run your own wires later. Re: hi, newbie after some advice any help would be great!! 6May 23, 2011 4:29 pm thanks guys, i was deciding whether to save money and do it afterwards as the builders charging $55 per battern light and 75 per downlight to install (52 in total to be installed) compared to a friend charging 40p/h. I think ill go with bashworth's post to be on the safe side. Hi VK, Think it's worth investing time in an Owner Builder course to equip you with basic knowledge on Australian Building Industry and its regulations. Also, I suggest… 11 23972 a building inspector should be able to tell you about any major problems but we need a floor plan with dimensions to clarify options for extra bedrooms ... sometime an… 1 8873 A question. Im in Queensland and building a new home. We managed to reach practical completion 6 weeks ago but we haven't heard any date for handover yet. Who should we… 0 6058 |