dave*99
Well-known member
They get you coming and going..... like many things in life.....
The other thing to mention is HDMI cables should have ethernet capability and be 18 Gbps capable.
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What to include, new build home
- Thread starter 7palms
- Start date
The other thing to mention is HDMI cables should have ethernet capability and be 18 Gbps capable.
Agreed. Too expensive right now. Getting cheaper tho, some great work being done with alternative materials for batteries. I have oil fired burner and a few mini splits, mostly for AC, but occasionally use as heat pumps. Also some radiant cove heaters in basement and garage. Replacing the oil is my main target, no natural gas on my street, but I would not have it anyway.
dcg9381
Well-known member
I didn't know they made HDMI with ethernet capability. Maybe you mean bandwidth? But yea, different cables have different resolution capacity. I assume it'll always be going up, which is why (perhaps) conduit is a better solution than hardwired HDMI.The other thing to mention is HDMI cables should have ethernet capability and be 18 Gbps capable.
2 x Ethernet cables seem to be capable of doing the highest resolution HDMI. They're also a lot cheaper and have a lot more distance capacity than an HDMI cable.
HDMI is a whole ****-ball thing, at least in my experience. The protocols are not all necessarily backward compatible and the only way I've found to sort it all out BEFORE you put it in the wall is to lay it out and test it with the actual components you're using.
MerlinsBeard
Well-known member
When buying a new home, I'd only look for something with a walk-out basement if a basement is in the plans. Minimizes flooding risk. Provide adequate dry well drainage or stormwater management pond drainage so stormwater is properly managed.
Make sure to go through any room with two exits and put a light switch on both egresses. I have a couple of rooms that I really wish I caught that before the walls got closed up.
I didn't think ahead as far as multiple outlets on separate home runs for outdoor christmas decorations. Luckily a lot of lighting is now LED and fairly inexpensive so low power really mitigated that issue.
If you have an attached garage, try to go for at least 11-12' ceiling. Provides ceiling space for more high wall or overhead storage that you can keep clutter out of living space.
Consider an area for centralizing network and label everything, whether it's a structured media enclosure or wall mounted rack in a utility room somewhere.
Consider 10G to future proof if you plan to build your own NAS for streaming HD video to multiple entertainment areas, or plan to move large files around. The cost has come down quite a bit, even though it may be overkill now. Depends on how much the network will feature into your home environment.
Consider converting to a singular tote brand for storage (I prefer the rubbermaid roughneck). With some office binder clips and baggage style labels you can attach to the lid and visibly categorize material and repurpose things around as needed. If you install overhead storage or wall mount racks and take account of horizontal space and shelf to ceiling height, you can optimize the tote selection to stack totes as necessary to maximize storage for garage storage, closets, etc.
Put in more garage lighting at the beginning instead of having to rig conduit to wire in more lights. Consider a separate lighting circuit for overhead workbench lighting.
The garbage disposal will eventually leak and possibly wreck your sink cabinetry, have a drain pan or drainage setup to mitigate that scenario. Always use steel braided hose connections.
Make sure your garage is long enough for your wife's car plus your workbench, ideally with walking space between the two.
Make sure to go through any room with two exits and put a light switch on both egresses. I have a couple of rooms that I really wish I caught that before the walls got closed up.
I didn't think ahead as far as multiple outlets on separate home runs for outdoor christmas decorations. Luckily a lot of lighting is now LED and fairly inexpensive so low power really mitigated that issue.
If you have an attached garage, try to go for at least 11-12' ceiling. Provides ceiling space for more high wall or overhead storage that you can keep clutter out of living space.
Consider an area for centralizing network and label everything, whether it's a structured media enclosure or wall mounted rack in a utility room somewhere.
Consider 10G to future proof if you plan to build your own NAS for streaming HD video to multiple entertainment areas, or plan to move large files around. The cost has come down quite a bit, even though it may be overkill now. Depends on how much the network will feature into your home environment.
Consider converting to a singular tote brand for storage (I prefer the rubbermaid roughneck). With some office binder clips and baggage style labels you can attach to the lid and visibly categorize material and repurpose things around as needed. If you install overhead storage or wall mount racks and take account of horizontal space and shelf to ceiling height, you can optimize the tote selection to stack totes as necessary to maximize storage for garage storage, closets, etc.
Put in more garage lighting at the beginning instead of having to rig conduit to wire in more lights. Consider a separate lighting circuit for overhead workbench lighting.
The garbage disposal will eventually leak and possibly wreck your sink cabinetry, have a drain pan or drainage setup to mitigate that scenario. Always use steel braided hose connections.
Make sure your garage is long enough for your wife's car plus your workbench, ideally with walking space between the two.
dave*99
Well-known member
Nope, there are HDMI cables that have ethernet capability.I didn't know they made HDMI with ethernet capability. Maybe you mean bandwidth?
WHAT DOES THE HDMI ETHERNET CHANNEL DO?
Many home entertainment devices have a dedicated port for connecting stand alone Ethernet cables, allowing these IP-based devices to network with other devices and the routers and modems that offer Internet access. The HDMI Ethernet Channel simply combines the features of an ordinary Ethernet cable into a HDMI cable. Data streams that were normally handled with separate Ethernet cables are now incorporated into one single HDMI cable.The biggest benefit of the HDMI Ethernet Channel is cable consolidation. Instead of relying on several separate cables, home theater users only have to rely on one Ethernet cable connected to a television or receiver. Ethernet-enabled HDMI cables can then carry data transmissions from a main source to other IP-based home entertainment devices. Users can enjoy this setup without losing anything in quality or capacity.
dcg9381
Well-known member
See, I'm already behind the curve. My house does not have HDMI cables with ethernet capability. I wired to 4K standard. I do have conduit running between the media closet and 2 TVs if I really want to change it.Nope, there are HDMI cables that have ethernet capability
dave*99
Well-known member
I have 4K televisions and 1K eyeballs.
I agree, and I definitely wish I could have! We found this house for sale and it was already halfway done. Slab poured, walls up and roof on. But lucky for me the drywall wasn't in yet and we are able to do things with electrical and plumbing at this stage. Im in Florida where the real estate market is nutz and have been renting for a few years now. Cant wait to stop renting and be a homeowner once again.Funny; after 54 responses; no one said a larger garage.
NORTON'S SHOP
Well-known member
Like everyone else, what ever size it is, it will never be big enough.I agree, and I definitely wish I could have! We found this house for sale and it was already halfway done. Slab poured, walls up and roof on. But lucky for me the drywall wasn't in yet and we are able to do things with electrical and plumbing at this stage. Im in Florida where the real estate market is nutz and have been renting for a few years now. Cant wait to stop renting and be a homeowner once again.
dcg9381
Well-known member
How big is the lot? The last spec home I bought, I said "I love the home and I'll take it, I just need you to add another 2 car garage".I agree, and I definitely wish I could have! We found this house for sale and it was already halfway done.
Engineer61
Well-known member
Kitchen outlets - use 4 gang boxes, with each dual outlet on a different 20 Amp circuit, make one white and the other ivory to indicate which circuit is which. Code now requires 2 20 Amp circuits for outlets in the kitchen, have both circuits accessible at every outlet box. Lets the toaster sit next to the deep fryer, stand mixer etc. and both be used without tripping the circuit breaker or using an extension cord laying across a stove top or sink.
Have 240v electrical power available in box at stove even if you want a gas stove now. Use 6 or even 4 gauge wire to the outlet box for the stove, induction cooktops are very power hungry and while there isn't yet a standard for more than 50 Amps of power, it's coming soon. Having the bigger wire already in place means just changing the circuit breaker and maybe the outlet if a new induction stove isn't hardwired.
Have 240v electrical power available in box at stove even if you want a gas stove now. Use 6 or even 4 gauge wire to the outlet box for the stove, induction cooktops are very power hungry and while there isn't yet a standard for more than 50 Amps of power, it's coming soon. Having the bigger wire already in place means just changing the circuit breaker and maybe the outlet if a new induction stove isn't hardwired.
kaffine
Well-known member
My list is
Curbless shower. I'm not getting younger.
Wall mounted toilets easier to clean, even better if they are above a wet floor with a drain in case it over flows much easier to clean.
Power near toilet for bidet seat.
Central vacuum with hide-a-hose retractable hoses.
Cat 6 to all tv locations and computer locations.
Cat 6 to any place you might want a security camera.
Access control wiring for doors.
Spray foam insulation for outside walls and ceiling.
Makeup air for stove vent hood.
If the bedroom only has 1 location for the bed wire lights on either side with 3 way switches so they can be controlled near the light or near the door. Have outlets on either side of the bed as well.
Outlet inside the cabinet in the bathroom for an electrical items toothbrush / razor.
If you like RO filtered water plumb it to the master bathroom so you can have it available there and the ice maker / fridge.
Curbless shower. I'm not getting younger.
Wall mounted toilets easier to clean, even better if they are above a wet floor with a drain in case it over flows much easier to clean.
Power near toilet for bidet seat.
Central vacuum with hide-a-hose retractable hoses.
Cat 6 to all tv locations and computer locations.
Cat 6 to any place you might want a security camera.
Access control wiring for doors.
Spray foam insulation for outside walls and ceiling.
Makeup air for stove vent hood.
If the bedroom only has 1 location for the bed wire lights on either side with 3 way switches so they can be controlled near the light or near the door. Have outlets on either side of the bed as well.
Outlet inside the cabinet in the bathroom for an electrical items toothbrush / razor.
If you like RO filtered water plumb it to the master bathroom so you can have it available there and the ice maker / fridge.
I like a nice out side shower! Hot and cold water!
During summer months and grilling season, I’ll take more showers outside than inside.
I like Wi-Fi switches for outside lights -no photo cells going bad.
also a central location for Irrigation control panel W/ electrical out for time clock
outlet for low volt landscaping lightning controller
Im a desert guy and a construction guy during winter when it gets dark at 4:30 it difficult to load up tools and and pack an RV or load up a flat bed trailer.
So I added spot lights to light up the yard For task /work purposes. I actually use them quite a bit
RV outlet & space to park for friends/ family that RV, you don’t want them in your drive way and mess up your parking program
During summer months and grilling season, I’ll take more showers outside than inside.
I like Wi-Fi switches for outside lights -no photo cells going bad.
also a central location for Irrigation control panel W/ electrical out for time clock
outlet for low volt landscaping lightning controller
Im a desert guy and a construction guy during winter when it gets dark at 4:30 it difficult to load up tools and and pack an RV or load up a flat bed trailer.
So I added spot lights to light up the yard For task /work purposes. I actually use them quite a bit
RV outlet & space to park for friends/ family that RV, you don’t want them in your drive way and mess up your parking program
dave*99
Well-known member
Are you married? This option would be low on the wife acceptance factor.Kitchen outlets - use 4 gang boxes, with each dual outlet on a different 20 Amp circuit, make one white and the other ivory to indicate which circuit is which.
BTW I think you mean 2 gang boxes.
This was the case in my son's last house. Two duplex receptacles in a 2 gang box at the required 4' spacing. In 2 spots, one of those 2 receptacles was a combo receptacle and USB charger.
Each box was fed alternately from the 2 required circuits.
My observations were the if he had a deep fryer and a toaster close to each other, there would be no issue plugging each into separate circuits. With 4' spacing, an appliance is never more than 2' away from a receptacle.
The 2 gang boxes with 2 duplex receptacles looked out of place in the otherwise nice looking tile backsplash.
Last edited:
sbarshie
Well-known member
Seems like everyone has covered the all the wiring/outlet options throughly.
We just moved in our new house and the following were things we added to the build that have been great.
Every light switch is dimmable, very handy.
Hot/cold water spigots in garage.
And the big one.
We raised all our countertops 1.5” and the island 2”. It’s not something that is really noticeable but makes life way more comfortable even if your average height. Everything is more comfortable than at the “standard” height. Everyone that comes over likes it but can’t figure out why until you tell them, then they think you’re brilliant!
I would add a second drain dedicated for the dishwasher, I hate the gurgling it makes.
Good luck!
We just moved in our new house and the following were things we added to the build that have been great.
Every light switch is dimmable, very handy.
Hot/cold water spigots in garage.
And the big one.
We raised all our countertops 1.5” and the island 2”. It’s not something that is really noticeable but makes life way more comfortable even if your average height. Everything is more comfortable than at the “standard” height. Everyone that comes over likes it but can’t figure out why until you tell them, then they think you’re brilliant!
I would add a second drain dedicated for the dishwasher, I hate the gurgling it makes.
Good luck!
Kalstar
Well-known member
Insulated garage doors
Radiant heat floors in garage
High ceilings in garage
Pre-wire for future car lifts
A/C in garage
Hidden gun room
Multiple sinks in kitchen, one for meal prep other a bar sink
Convection microwave (can do duty as a second or 3rd oven)
Pot filler faucet above stove/range
NG for outdoor grill
Slop sink in laundry
Pull down staircase for attic storage.
If there is a place to add an additional closet, add it.
Door triggers that turn closet lights on when you open them
Master bath must have 2 sinks and ideally a separate toilet room
Motorized WiFi window openers for windows in cathedral areas
Daylight basement if at all possible
Vinyl plank or easy care flooring if you have kids or pets
PVC trim, near zero maintainace
Tile the ceiling in showers, no mold
Lighted pathways
Cameras on every corner
Automatic generator transfer switch
Speakers front and back for holiday parties.
Steel beams, limit or eliminate columns
Laundry hookup in garage for microfiber towels
I’ll be “that guy” the house I’m building has a garage I will NEVER be able to fill.
Radiant heat floors in garage
High ceilings in garage
Pre-wire for future car lifts
A/C in garage
Hidden gun room
Multiple sinks in kitchen, one for meal prep other a bar sink
Convection microwave (can do duty as a second or 3rd oven)
Pot filler faucet above stove/range
NG for outdoor grill
Slop sink in laundry
Pull down staircase for attic storage.
If there is a place to add an additional closet, add it.
Door triggers that turn closet lights on when you open them
Master bath must have 2 sinks and ideally a separate toilet room
Motorized WiFi window openers for windows in cathedral areas
Daylight basement if at all possible
Vinyl plank or easy care flooring if you have kids or pets
PVC trim, near zero maintainace
Tile the ceiling in showers, no mold
Lighted pathways
Cameras on every corner
Automatic generator transfer switch
Speakers front and back for holiday parties.
Steel beams, limit or eliminate columns
Laundry hookup in garage for microfiber towels
I’ll be “that guy” the house I’m building has a garage I will NEVER be able to fill.