When you’re building a new construction home, the number of decisions you have to make can be easily overwhelming. Besides the more obvious (and fun) selections like flooring, cabinets, and paint colors, another very important milestone is when you meet with your electrician and have an electrical walkthrough meeting.
Planning in advance will save you lots of time now and save you from regret later if you forget you wanted an outlet or light switch in a specific area. Let’s discuss some electrical considerations for new construction homes so you’re well prepared for your electrical walkthrough.
Interior Electrical
- Can lights vs. hanging light fixtures vs. sconces in rooms, hallways, and stairwells
- In-wall or under-tread stair lighting
- Outlet on stair landing for vacuuming
- Regular light switches vs. dimmer switches
- Ceiling fans
- For larger rooms, a light switch near each entrance
- Back lighting or undermount lighting for cabinets, ceiling, or TV
- Outlet behind the TV
- If you’re planning on getting a Samsung The Frame TV, tell your electrician in advance
- Outlets on both sides of the headboard in the primary bedroom
- Outlets for the kitchen island
- Lights over the kitchen island
- Outlet inside a kitchen cabinet – or bathroom cabinet (electric toothbrush or razor)
- Under cabinet outlets to not disrupt the design of the backsplash
- If you’re planning on having multiple dishwashers, refrigerators, or laundry areas
- High outlets for speakers/sound system (recommend also working with an experienced AV person)
- On or near fireplace mantel
- Smart outlets
- WiFi router and Cat6 connections for internet
- Charging station for phones and other electronics (could be in a drawer)
- Bathroom outlets, near vanity or within a drawer for hair dryer and curling iron
- Lighted mirrors in bathrooms
- Towel warmer
- Outlet behind toilet for a bidet
- Outlet inside a water closet (aka toilet room)
- Toe kick lighting under cabinets or vanities
- Radiant heating in bathroom or under hardwood floors
- Floor outlets in large living room for electric couch or floor lamps, or in an office if the desk won’t be against a wall
- Counter-height outlet for a built-in desk
- Outlet near where a Christmas tree will be
- Outlets in pantry for small appliances
- Outlet in closet for charging a vacuum, a boot dryer, or for makeup vanity
- Hard-wired window blinds
- Anywhere you might want to use a night light
- For very tall ceilings, install a motor on chandelier to lower/raise for changing bulbs and cleaning
- Where will smoke and carbon monoxide detectors go
- Pet area for electric litter box
- Garage outlets at countertop height (if installing a workbench or shelves)
- Heated garage
- Appropriate voltage outlet in garage for electric or hybrid vehicle
Exterior Electrical
- Smart switches on a timer
- Outdoor speakers or TV
- Porch heater or ceiling fan
- Hot tub
- Outlets for Christmas lights, possibly in soffits
- On both sides of the front door for holiday decorations
- Enough exterior lights so that every side of your home is lit at night
- Lamp post and landscaping lights
- Doorbell/security cameras
- Outlets on every side of the home’s exterior
- Outlet placement to not disrupt stone or brick design (horizontal vs. vertical)
- Separate circuit for a generator
- Motion sensor lights
- Light near basketball goal
If you’re starting to build a new construction home, planning ahead for electrical means you’ll be prepared for the important walkthrough meeting. Your builder or electrician may even have you mark areas on the framing ahead of time with a marker where you want outlets or switches to go. Know what type of lighting you’ll want in each area, also special outlets, wifi and internet, TVs and speakers, outdoor electrical, etc. The list above will ensure you’ve thought everything through and won’t have any regrets later – it’s much easier to install electrical before the drywall goes up!
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