Title: Building Base Structures—What If You Had to Start Over?
I get where you’re coming from, but I kinda wish I’d gone the other way on my place. We skimped on wiring because “wireless is the future,” but now I’m fighting dead zones and interference with smart devices. Retrofitting’s a hassle, especially with spray foam in the walls. Maybe it’s overkill for some, but I’d rather have a few extra runs in place than tear up drywall later. Guess it depends how tech-heavy you plan to go, but man… hindsight’s 20/20.
Totally get what you mean about the wiring—wireless is great until it isn’t. I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on high-end mesh systems just to patch over dead zones that probably wouldn’t exist if they’d just run Cat6 everywhere from the start. Would you say there’s any tech you actually regret over-prepping for, though? Like, I went all-in on built-in speakers in every room, but honestly, half of them barely get used. Sometimes I wonder if I should’ve focused more on the basics—power, data, solid insulation—and worried less about stuff that sounded cool at the time. If you had to do it again, would you still go heavy on wiring, or is there something else you’d prioritize now?
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
That’s funny you mention the built-in speakers—I did the same thing! I thought I’d have music in every room, but now there’s like two zones that get any use. The rest just kinda sit there, silent and collecting dust. I sometimes wonder if that’s just “new house optimism” or if everyone gets a bit carried away with future-proofing.
Honestly, looking back, I wish I’d put less effort into things like fancy lighting controls and more into stuff like better insulation (especially for sound between rooms) and extra outlets. It’s wild how quickly you run out of plugs when you actually move in. Also, I went a bit overboard on ethernet drops everywhere—there are a couple rooms where the ports are just capped off and unused. Maybe it’s because we ended up using wireless more than I expected? Or maybe it’s just that some spaces don’t really need much tech.
If I had to do it again, I think I’d still run Cat6 in the main areas—like, office, living room, maybe bedrooms—but not go all-out in every nook and cranny. And definitely would’ve put more thought into where to add blocking in the walls for mounting stuff (TVs, shelves). That’s one of those things you don’t realize until you’re staring at drywall with a stud finder in one hand and a bracket in the other.
Curious if anyone else regrets putting in stuff they thought was “essential” at the time? Or is it just a rite of passage to overthink all this tech when building? Sometimes I feel like you just can’t win—either you over-prep and don’t use half of it, or you under-prep and wish you had. At least insulation never goes out of style...
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
I hear you on the tech stuff. It’s easy to get caught up in all the “smart home” hype, but honestly, insulation and solid wall construction pay off way more in the long run. Fancy gadgets get outdated fast, but good insulation saves money and keeps things comfortable forever. I’d always put budget toward that first—tech can be added later, but tearing out drywall for better soundproofing is a pain.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
I’ve seen a lot of folks regret not investing enough in the “bones” of their house. One project comes to mind—a client wanted all the latest automation, but skimped on wall assembly and insulation. Fast forward a couple years, and they were dealing with drafts and noise issues... retrofitting that stuff is messy and expensive. I’d always prioritize the envelope—tech is fun, but you can always run new wires or swap out devices later. Good structure is way harder to upgrade.