Re: House to be built next year, looking for suggestions.

["wkearney99" <wkearney99@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

"AutomatedOutlet.com" <Martin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> The best suggestion I could probably make is install tons more Cat5
> than you ever think you'll need.

Which entirely misses his point about not using the contractor's services
for installing it.  That and often building inspection issues make it
difficult to have the homeowner do it 'while the walls are open'.

Also code may not allow use of plain old PVC tubing installed in this
manner.  What you can get away with as a homeowner doing renovations is
different than a builder constructing new.  It'd more likely require using
actual low-voltage conduit and appropriate junction boxes.  You could simple
have the conduits stubbed into single-gang boxes with enough extra length
and positioning to allow cutting it off at a later time and replacing it
with a better sized box.

A big-ole 4" conduit running from a 12" square junction box in the attic (or
nearby closet) down to the likely place for wiring termination and another
junction box might be a plan to consider.  This way you're saved the hassle
of getting everything pulled through each level.  If at all possible using
vertical runs and a junction box on each floor would be ideal.  Either in a
straight shot down through the whole house or one from each "major
distribution point" on each floor.  Bearing in mind the fishing hassles on
both the top AND the bottom ends.

This does nothing to help the wiring from the j-boxes to the wall outlets
but it's better than nothing.  Running conduits to each wall outlet location
might be considerably more expensive than just running the wire!

One thing the builder might be convinced to let them do is to string cord
from each outlet to the edge (usually top) of the stud wall.  This would
make it easier at a later time to pull whatever other wires are needed.
Letting you 'in there' to drill a 5/8" hole in the top (or bottom) of the
stud wall and stapling a bit of string through it and then to the nearby
outlet would save you a lot of hassle later on.  You could just punch a
fresh hole near the outlet, grab the string and easily run it to the hole.
(Making sure to pull a replacement string for any later wiring needs)

As for costs, more often than not the developer is interested in making a
buck doing the wiring all themselves but there are liability issues of
letting you into the house before it's completed and the possible code
violations, so it's not like a developer doesn't have risks to balance.

-Bill Kearney