Buying a new home is one of the biggest financial and emotional investments you will ever make. You want the house of your dreams and, with this kind of investment; it is absolutely imperative that you take some time to consider the foundations and functional aspects of your home just as much you would the interior design and other fun aspects that come with building and designing your dream home.
The electrical system is just one of the areas that needs to be given a lot of thought as you want to prioritise your safety and have a system in place that’s designed to accommodate your current and future needs.
The following are some things to keep in mind when designing the electrical system for your new home;
- Working with the contractor – While you may be limited in your knowledge of how the electrical system works you should not take a completely hands off approach leaving all the decisions to your contractor. It is important to engage a professional that you fully trust but, at the same time, there should be room for question and your input into the project.
- Stay involved in load calculation – Contractors are not legally obliged to furnish load calculation records for a homeowner. However, it is a good idea to work with the contractor with this calculation as this will give you a better understanding of each and every circuit installed and how it will work for your needs.
- At this point of the project, if there is something that does not work for your needs it can be easily amended. If it only comes to light later in the project it could end up costing a lot of money to redo something that could have been avoidable.
- Communicate future plans – It is important to communicate any future plans that will change the way in which you plan to use space in your home. If there are additional power requirements that you know you’ll need, you should tell your contractor as soon as possible so that they can accommodate your needs. Always allow some room in your budget for a system that can be easily adapted if you’re not sure what kinds of changes you’d like to make down the road.
- Electrical outlets – It is important that you have an input on locations of where electrical outlets and other elements are positioned. Ensure that the power points in the rooms you will use most will be functional and practical for you and your family.
- Functionality – It is also vital to know that your electrical service is sufficient to match your lifestyle and how you use each room in your home.
- Technological advances – If you plan to use large systems such as entertainment units etc., it is important to find out the implication of this on your electrical systems. It might be worth having an advanced wiring system for your house to accommodate your desires and avoid power surges.
- Cost savings – It is worthwhile consulting with your contractor to get their advice on what kind of smart technologies can be integrated into your electrical system. This forward thinking will future-proof your home, reduce your carbon footprint and save you a lot of money in the long-term.
