If I could do it again, I’d probably spend a little more upfront on wiring and outlets, even if it meant cutting back somewhere else. It’s just easier than trying to add stuff later.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve seen so many folks regret not putting in enough outlets or running extra conduit when the walls are open. It’s one of those things that feels like overkill at the time, but you end up thanking yourself later. I usually tell people: walk through each room and imagine where you’ll want to plug in lamps, chargers, vacuums, etc. Then add at least one more outlet per wall than you think you’ll need.
On the conduit front, I get the budget thing. If you have to pick spots, living room and office are solid choices. But if you ever plan to run ethernet or upgrade to hardwired speakers, even just a single empty conduit from the basement or attic to each major room can save a ton of headaches.
Bluetooth is fine for now, but I’ve had clients come back a few years later wanting to retrofit for built-in audio or network lines. That’s when the “no drywall patching” dream dies a little...
If I had to start over, I’d probably skip some fancy finishes and put that money into infrastructure. You can always paint or swap fixtures later, but fishing wires through finished walls is a pain.
INFRASTRUCTURE OVER FINISHES EVERY TIME
You nailed it—future-proofing with extra outlets and conduit is way more valuable than people realize. I’ve watched buyers get starry-eyed over quartz counters, then curse the lack of a plug behind the couch. It’s wild how much easier it is to add a pop of color or swap a light fixture later, compared to tearing into drywall for a wire run.
I do wonder sometimes if we overthink it, though. There’s a balance—too many outlets can look cluttered, and not everyone needs ethernet in every room. But honestly, I’d rather have a couple unused boxes than be stuck with extension cords everywhere. You’re spot on about the “no drywall patching” dream... once you’ve lived through that mess, you never forget it.
I’d rather have a couple unused boxes than be stuck with extension cords everywhere.
That’s the thing, right? I always think about how much tech we keep adding—suddenly you need a spot for a robot vacuum dock or a charging station you never planned for. But yeah, too many outlets can look like Swiss cheese walls if you go overboard. I guess the trick is figuring out what “future-proof” actually means for your own lifestyle, not just throwing in everything and the kitchen sink... unless you want an outlet under the sink, which, honestly, I’ve considered.
Honestly, I’ve put outlets in places I never thought I’d use—like behind the toilet for a bidet seat, or in a closet for a stick vac charger. Here’s what’s worked for me:
- Map out where you *actually* use stuff, not just where you think you might.
- Add a couple “just in case” spots, but don’t go nuts.
- Consider conduit if you’re really worried about future changes—makes adding later way easier.
- Under-sink outlet? Did it once for a hot water dispenser. Never regretted it.
Too many outlets can look weird, but not enough is way worse.
Here’s what’s worked for me:- Map out where you *actually* use stuff, not just where you think you might. - Add a couple “just in case” spots, but don’t go nuts.
I’ve had similar experiences—outlets in odd spots always seem to pay off later. That said, I’ve sometimes regretted not planning for low-voltage runs too, especially with all the smart home tech these days. You mentioned conduit, which is a solid call. Have you ever run into issues with inspectors or code when adding those “just in case” outlets? I’ve had a few projects where local code was stricter than expected, especially in utility spaces. Curious if you’ve found any workarounds that don’t look too out of place.
