Architectural & Design
Smart Home Wiring During Your New Build: What to Spec
Smart home wiring is one of those decisions where the cost is small if you make it during the build and significant if you try to retrofit later. Here is the practical spec sheet.
The minimum smart-ready spec
- Cat6 data cable to every room (terminating at central cupboard)
- Cat6 to all TV positions
- Central structured cabling cabinet in laundry or garage
- Extra GPOs in living, kitchen, study, and bedroom desk positions
- USB-C GPOs in main rooms (modern code now allows)
- External GPO for outdoor entertaining
- Conduit run from roof to electrical board for future solar/battery
Smart lighting infrastructure
- Neutral wires to every switch position (required for most smart switches)
- Larger switch boxes to accommodate smart switch modules
- Hub location with power and data
- Outdoor lighting on automated circuits
Climate and HVAC
- Wi-Fi enabled thermostat for ducted air conditioning
- Zone control with individual room temperature targets
- Heat pump hot water with smart scheduling
Security infrastructure
- CCTV cable runs to front, rear, garage, gate positions (Cat6 or RG-6)
- Power and data at front door for smart doorbell
- Hard-wired alarm sensors at all external doors and windows
- Hub location with power
What to skip
- Smart switches in every room (overkill)
- Top-tier proprietary systems (Crestron, Control4) unless budget exceeds $40k for automation alone
- Integrated audio in every room (often unused after 12 months)
- Voice control in every room (Wi-Fi-enabled speakers do this cheaper)
Spec a smart-home-ready new build?
Our standard Elite and Master Craftsmen specs include smart-ready cabling. Book a design consult to see what fits your build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answers
Basic provisioning (structured cabling, central data cabinet, extra GPOs): $3,000 to $6,000. Full smart home automation ready (lighting control, blinds, climate, security): $12,000 to $25,000. Top-tier integrated systems (KNX, Crestron, Control4): $35,000 to $80,000+.
Not necessarily. Smart switches in main living areas, entry, master bedroom and outdoor lighting cover 80 percent of the practical benefit. Smart switches in every room can be overkill and add significant cost.
Yes. Cat6 to each room is still the gold standard for hardwired data, even with Wi-Fi 6/7 available. Cat6 provides reliable backbone for streaming, gaming, and home server applications. Wi-Fi works well for mobile devices but not as well for stationary high-bandwidth use.
A central wiring point (typically in a cupboard or garage) that connects to data, phone, TV and security outlets throughout the home. Allows future upgrade of the central electronics without rewiring the walls. Standard in modern smart-home-ready builds.
If you are installing solar PV (typically required under BASIX 2025), battery-ready wiring is cheap to add ($800 to $1,500). Actual batteries can be installed later when prices drop. Tesla Powerwall and equivalent run $13,000 to $16,000 installed in 2024.
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