Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 16, 2019 8:01 pm Hello the brains trust!
I've recently signed up with a project builder and have my electrical appointment next week (completed my colours/kitchen appointments this week). From the appointments I completed this week I've come to the conclusion that the specialists you meet with are not really providing advice as such, they just follow your instructions and unless something is very conflicting, they would just go with your wishes. For this reason, am a bit worried about the electrical appointment as I have read some horror stories with regards to the upgrade costs, at the same time, I try to make the right decisions and avoid big regrets down the track (due to being unable to make certain changes after). I'm building a 42sq house and after this week's appointments, realised that the 3K allowance we put in during the sales stage is going to be well short of what is realistically required, so trying to get a realistic list (and if anyone can share approximate prices, even better) of what is to be expected. What I know so far is: 1. I want down lights to ground floor areas 2. Standard pedant type lights to first floor bedrooms (except maybe some/all master bed areas) 3. Not planning to go crazy with the home theatre setup as it will be used as in-laws bedroom for a couple of years, but would like to make the right conduit/etc allowances for future conversion. what should I include? 4. Confused with regards to tv setup. We would have (like most) tv's hanging off the wall. Many people recommend the power point/antenna/network to be at the same level as the tv, but if you then connect apple tv, foxtel, playstation etc... these would not be able to be located behind the tv and would generally end up on/under the tv cabinet. this means you would have to run hdmi cables between the two locations anyway... or am i missing something? 5. How many power points do people realistically need/use? I've read about some people installing 1 in each corner of each room ... is that really necessary? 6. How many downlights is recommended generally (I've included my plans to assist to visualise our layout). Thank you all in advance. I've read a lot of good tips on this forum, but still feel nervous about missing things out. Have read some horror stories with regards to how the upgrades costs can blow out and Re: Electrical Appointment Tips 2Jul 16, 2019 9:13 pm It helps if you know an electrician or are recommended a good one. So the builder will charge you a bomb to add new light/power points, and it probably comes standard with batten lights and upgrading to downlights will be another motza. My sparky was blown away by how much they charge. I mapped out where I wanted all the lights and power points, then figured where I could just get the builder to do and have my electrician add additional points onto the circuits later. I would say 4 power points in one room would be excessive though. Think about how you want to use the room and what you'll do in future - eg kids room if you want to move things around, having a power point in an alternate place will be handy. Lighting is hard to advise - depends on brightness and the spread of the beam. But as a guide I'd say the family should have 4 - 6 Re: Electrical Appointment Tips 3Jul 17, 2019 9:52 am I agree, the electrical appointment I had certainly didn't seem to give me any "advice" - just basically recorded what I told them I wanted. I'm sure if I suggested that I wanted a floodlight in the corridor and CCTV in the bathroom, they'd have gone ahead and done that for me. In fact, I remember them initially offering me half the downlights I needed - if I didn't ask for more, my living room would be pretty dark. Yes, upgrades are going to be more expensive than getting an independent electrician to fit one afterwards, but I figured by adding it into the house price, you can pay it off over 25 years at a low interest rate! The $10k of electrical upgrades I went for means paying an extra avo smash per week for the life of the home loan... Downlights are great and trendy for downstairs, but you might consider some pendant lighting over your kitchen island and dining table. Try a calculator like this to see how many you need: https://blog.recessedlighting.com/calculators/ Battens upstairs will leave you will more flexibility, again think whether you want one light right over your bed, or a couple of lights either side. You'll probably want two fluorescent tubes for your double garage, and some porch lighting and outside lighting. As for power points, I'd definitely get more than you think you need. Easier to have them installed initially than adding them in afterwards. Draw in where you might put your furniture and TV and lamps and chargers, vacuum in the corridor, etc. and add lots in. Definitely put in lots in the kitchen for microwave, toaster, blender, and whatever other kitchen appliance you think you might need. My build with Inspired/ Como Homes: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=93656 Re: Electrical Appointment Tips 4Jul 17, 2019 9:56 am ben888 Yes, upgrades are going to be more expensive than getting an independent electrician to fit one afterwards, but I figured by adding it into the house price, you can pay it off over 25 years at a low interest rate! The $10k of electrical upgrades I went for means paying an extra avo smash per week for the life of the home loan... You have avo smash? How are you affording a house?? :lol::lol: Re: Electrical Appointment Tips 5Jul 17, 2019 1:13 pm Re the power points, go crazy!. My builder only charged $50 for a double, and I put in heaps...but now still finding places where I would have liked one. Re the TV, I put a powerpoint at TV level, and then a bullnose plate and duct going down to the bottom where your equipment will be, so that you can run whatever you want in it, ie aerial, data, HDMI, USB extension etc. This is better than getting the builder to run your cables as you don't know what will need in the future. You don't want to run your power through there though (+ I think it is illegal) Also, also ask if they can put in an extra noggin where you want the TV and ceiling fans in future. Also worth putting in wiring for future ceiling fans - my builder charged $20 each I would also run a data point for each TV so that you don't have to rely on wifi Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Electrical Appointment Tips 6Jul 17, 2019 1:33 pm brokenstick Re the power points, go crazy!. My builder only charged $50 for a double, and I put in heaps...but now still finding places where I would have liked one. Re the TV, I put a powerpoint at TV level, and then a bullnose plate and duct going down to the bottom where your equipment will be, so that you can run whatever you want in it, ie aerial, data, HDMI, USB extension etc. This is better than getting the builder to run your cables as you don't know what will need in the future. You don't want to run your power through there though (+ I think it is illegal) Also, also ask if they can put in an extra noggin where you want the TV and ceiling fans in future. Also worth putting in wiring for future ceiling fans - my builder charged $20 each I would also run a data point for each TV so that you don't have to rely on wifi Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ this is a great idea. thanks for that brokenstick. Just be careful with building stability during construction, that is when the structure may be weakened, refer to your engineering drawings for stability methodology. 1 7223 Thank you so much. This has been very helpful. 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