Electrical options for building home tv, phone, etc (Howe: custom home, buyer)

[Mckgirl11]

We r building a 4 bed house with game and media. It's a two story. We have to meet with the electrical company to decide what to add. They suggested tv and phone ports in every room including the bedrooms upstairs.

I don't think that's needed because no one uses land lines anyways and there is a media room for the tv. Sooo what is actually needed in a house from a resale perspective?

[TT Dave]

I agree with you on the phone ports in every room, that's probably overkill. However, I would put TV jacks in every room where someone might want to put a TV, including all the bedrooms. Just my 2 cents.

[TOSH50]

If resale value is the concern then I would at the very least rough in CAT5 to each room.

You never know if the next buyer will want a security system or to turn a room into an office and need the lines for phones/fax's or a separate network.

CAT5 can be used for so many things...


I'd also put at least one quad outlet in each room where the computer/tv/game system would most likely be.

Make sure you have enough outlets in each room...not just for code but for what actual use is no-a-days.

Even kids now have a TV, computer, Cell phone, game system, stereo etc..

The other thing I would do is to run 12/2 instead of 14/2 for future expansion( 12/2 generally allows 10 devices versus 8 on 14/2.) plus 12/2 handles more load so less chance of tripping the breakers during hard use.

[losttechnician]

Having just purchased a home, I know some selling points that made me happy.

More outlets than required. We plug in lots of stuff.
More circuits than required. That way our 'lots of stuff' doesn't overload a circuit.
Cable outlets in every room. While I don't watch TV, the rest of the family is terribly addicted. Even if we had a media room, everyone would still want their own TV for Duck Dynasty, or SpongeBob, or Netflix, etc.

Not related to the original question.... Single story... Two story is mighty nice, but spending a lot of time at my brother's, I quickly learned I don't care for the constant tromping up and down the stairs. He has grown to dislike them too.

[Qazulight]

Originally Posted by Mckgirl11

We r building a 4 bed house with game and media. It's a two story. We have to meet with the electrical company to decide what to add. They suggested tv and phone ports in every room including the bedrooms upstairs.

I don't think that's needed because no one uses land lines anyways and there is a media room for the tv. Sooo what is actually needed in a house from a resale perspective?

If you are pulling the cables and putting in the Cat 5, you might as well pull the RG-9 for cable TV. While you can go wireless Ethernet for Netflix, I find that problems are reduced with the 100 meg cable.

The incremental cost of pulling the wires with the walls open is lower than pulling one drop with the walls closed.

One last thing, do not terminate the RG-9 Coax cable for the cable TV. the first thing.the cable guy will do is cut those connectors off.

I used Leviton

Wallplates > Connected Home > Products from Leviton Electrical and Electronic Products

I got the colors to match, but my builder used over sized electrical plates and Leviton were standard sized.

Also add HDMI cables and maybe dual locations for your stereo equipment so you can re arrange you room as you see fit.

Cheers
Qazulight

[Electrician4you]

I do smart homes
Two Cat6 in every room
Two coax in every room

For cctv
Run cat6 to front door where doorbell is
Run cat 6 to every corner of the house
Run cat6 to wherever you may want to put a camera.

Satellite
Run coax to satellite location. Run 7 cables

Run coax and cat 5 to every TV location do 2and2. Put a outlet there Also install backing before drywall for flat screen tvs. You can use one f the feeds to display the. DVR feed from a cctv system. Someone knocking n the oil. Flip th TV to the right input you see who is there.

Run ALL the wires to a closet or area designed for your entertainment

I used to do a lot of very high end custom homes. Whole house audio ir controllers throughout house to control music systems. If you can do it now before drywall wire the f out f it. ALSO hardwire a security system for every door window with glass break sensors.

I could go n and on but remember its 30 x cheaper to do it before drywall goes up

While you are it it install a central vac system. How about a whoe house audio or a surround ound. do a 7 channel even if you only have a 5 channel. My wife loves her central vac

[Qazulight]

Originally Posted by Electrician4you

I do smart homes
Two Cat6 in every room
Two coax in every room

For cctv
Run cat6 to front door where doorbell is
Run cat 6 to every corner of the house
Run cat6 to wherever you may want to put a camera.

Satellite
Run coax to satellite location. Run 7 cables

Run coax and cat 5 to every TV location do 2and2. Put a outlet there Also install backing before drywall for flat screen tvs. You can use one f the feeds to display the. DVR feed from a cctv system. Someone knocking n the oil. Flip th TV to the right input you see who is there.

Run ALL the wires to a closet or area designed for your entertainment

I used to do a lot of very high end custom homes. Whole house audio ir controllers throughout house to control music systems. If you can do it now before drywall wire the f out f it. ALSO hardwire a security system for every door window with glass break sensors.

I could go n and on but remember its 30 x cheaper to do it before drywall goes up

While you are it it install a central vac system. How about a whoe house audio or a surround ound. do a 7 channel even if you only have a 5 channel. My wife loves her central vac

This is the right way to do it.

Cheers
Qazulight (Didn't run the wires for the cameras and am missing them noe.)

[Electrician4you]

If you want PM me if you have any questions. Ill tell you how to wire the house for years of enjoyment. Even if you just pre wire it its worth it

[bigtexan99]

Also run HDMI (version 1.4) cables from where you a/v receiver will be to where your TV (wall mount) will be.

All these wires and cables are super cheap online. Don't wait till the last minute and pay best buy prices.

[ChristieP]

Personally, I would skip the central vac system. They are good in theory, but they really do not work very well, especially if you have pets. I could go behind my mother's central vac system with my Dyson and still pick up a ton of cat fur! Also, it's a pain to store the really long hose and beater attachment in a closet. It's just as large as a normal vacuum cleaner.