Are you in the process of building a new home and overwhelmed by the electrical planning and all of the decisions that come along with it? 

Electrical planning might seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be! With helpful tips and tricks, you can start to make sense of your plans for your home's electrical setup. 

In this article, we will take an in-depth look into creating an effective electrical plan for any new build project, from power points to light switches - we've got you covered! 

So let’s get started…

Creating a Lighting Plan

Creating a lighting plan is a vital part of any new home build. From ensuring that light switches are placed in the right location to making sure you have enough light fittings, the importance of a comprehensive lighting plan cannot be underestimated. 

Knowing your needs and researching lighting options can help make the process smoother and ensure that your new home has the best possible lighting setup. 

Planning out each room’s design individually allows for different needs to be taken into account. For example, an outdoor entertainment area may have unique requirements that need to be addressed when designing its lighting plan. 

Visit lighting shops and showrooms, view display homes for inspiration and take lots of photos. This can be one of the most fun aspects of building your new home as you plan your vision for each room.

Take Furniture Placement Into Consideration

When planning the electrical layout for your new home, it is important to take into consideration how your furniture will be placed. 

For example, when positioning power points think about what items, such as lamps and televisions, will need access to them. Those items might be better placed closer to a wall socket rather than relying on an extension lead. 

Additionally, lighting should be thoughtfully placed to enhance the functionality of each room. If you have something that needs extra attention like a desk or a reading nook, position task lighting near those spaces.

Remember that small details can make all the difference when creating an efficient and practical electrical plan for your new home.

Planning Your Power Points 

Planning your power points is an important part of the electrical plan for any new home build. It’s vital to determine how many power points you need in each room, and where to place them. 

You want to ensure there are plenty throughout the home, so that appliances, electronics and other devices can be used without extension cords or overloading circuits. 

When planning out your electrical plan, consider the specific needs of each room - such as whether it will require more than one computer or multiple power-hungry devices. Then strategise where to place the power points in order to minimize cord clutter, as well as make sure they are all accessible depending on the style and layout of furnishings within the room. 

With careful consideration and planning ahead, you can have plenty of usable power points around your home without excess or overload – creating an efficient and safe environment for you and your family!

And remember, it is easier to add more powerpoints before the home is built than afterwards!

Heating & Cooling

When creating your electrical plan for your new home build in Perth, it is important to take into account the various heating and cooling components such as air conditioning units, fans and heaters that require electric currents to operate. 

Make sure you take the local climate into consideration - in Perth, temperatures can get very hot in the summer months and quite cold in winter. Taking this into account when planning your electrical layout will ensure a sufficient power supply for cooling and heating needs throughout all seasons. 

With an appropriate plan, you can be assured of a comfortable atmosphere inside your new home.

Home Security System

When creating your electrical plan for your new home build, it is important to consider the installation of a home security system. A well-designed security system will provide peace of mind and a deterrent for potential intruders. 

Proper planning includes ticking off elements such as intelligent lighting control systems, interlinked smoke detectors, sensors to detect movement or tampering, CCTV cameras, digital video recorders and monitors, panic buttons and smart locks. 

To ensure you are getting the best security system to suit your needs, engage the services of an experienced professional who will also be able to recommend the most appropriate product brands in compliance with Australian safety standards.

Smart Home Technology

Smart home technology is becoming increasingly popular amongst new build homes, allowing homeowners to control their lights, power points and more from the comfort of their smartphone. 

This technology gives homeowners an incredible amount of convenience, allowing them to automate electrical tasks like turning off lights from anywhere in the house or even remotely when away on vacation. 

It's important to ensure this kind of smart home tech is included in your electrical plan for a new home build in Australia, so you can take full advantage of all its benefits. 

Consider intelligent lighting switches and voice activated voice assistants – these are just some of the exciting technologies that are now available for the modern home.

Don’t Forget Your Backyard

When planning out the electrical flow and design of your new home build, potential backyard additions should not be forgotten. You can make the most of your outdoor space by ensuring it is lit up safely with sockets, fixtures and motion-sensor lights that will light up when you enter or exit your garden. 

If you are looking to have a pool installed in your backyard then your electrical plan needs to reflect that. Automate any security measures such as external lighting, as this makes it much easier to keep your property secure. 

Imagine coming home from work in the dark but being greeted by lights suddenly activating - this could really help provide peace of mind that you're coming home to a safe environment. 

In general, carefully consider what else needs power outside (e.g. spa, pool, water feature) and speak with an experienced electrician and landscaper about positioning power points for these items in appropriate locations so not only will your outdoor areas feel beautiful, but also safe and secure!

Do an Mental Walk-Through

Most builders, including Novus, ensure your electrical plan is signed off before construction commences. 

Therefore a crucial part of building a home is making sure you have planned out the electrical requirements beforehand, and the best way to make sure everything is in order is to do a mental walk-through of your new home.

Doing an electrical walk-through mentally, or virtually if that is an option, eliminates much of the stress, as it saves time and money from having to correct any mistakes afterwards. 

The process is simple. Just imagine you are walking through your finished home, room by room. Think about where you want the light switches to be. Where the furniture and lamps will be, where the phones and tablets will be charging.

As you step through the home, tick each room off one by one.

This pivotal task ensures that all decisions are made early on with regard to all electrical needs for your new home.

Now you are ready to build!

Creating an electrical plan for your new home is a lengthy, but necessary process that can really help you get the most out of your build. It will ultimately also add value to your new home!

Think about how you will outfit each room with enough power points and incorporate lighting design into your plan as well as heating and cooling elements, home security systems, and smart home technology. 

Lastly, don't forget to account for what electrical needs will be required in and around your backyard. 

With plenty of pros to having an electrical plan in place, spend the time necessary to come up with one yourself or consult one of our friendly in-house prestart consultants, who can help tailor one specifically to meet all your needs.