WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
I’ve definitely had a few moments where I kicked myself for not adding an extra conduit or access panel. Once you close up a wall, that’s it—it’s a pain to retrofit anything. But honestly, I’ve also ended up with more “spares” than I’d ever need on other jobs. It’s a balancing act. I tend to err on the side of adding at least one or two empty conduits, especially in commercial projects where tech upgrades are almost guaranteed. In smaller residential stuff, I try to keep it reasonable—otherwise you’re just throwing money at “what ifs.”
Funny how you never realize you needed that extra conduit until you’re staring at a finished wall, right? I’ve had to cut into drywall more times than I care to admit. Ever tried fishing a wire through insulation? It’s like wrestling a stubborn snake. I always wonder—do you think there’s ever such a thing as too many “just in case” features, or is that just part of the creative chaos of home projects?
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
Ha, story of my life. I once put in a “future proof” chase behind a fireplace—swore I’d never need it. Two years later, client wanted a soundbar mounted and I was the hero for that empty pipe. Honestly, I say you can overdo it, but I’d rather patch drywall than wish I’d planned ahead. Creative chaos is half the fun, right?
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
Honestly, I say you can overdo it, but I’d rather patch drywall than wish I’d planned ahead. Creative chaos is half the fun, right?
I hear you on the “future proof” thing... but man, there’s a fine line between being prepared and just making things more complicated for yourself (or the next poor soul who opens up a wall). I’ve seen some wild stuff—like a client who insisted on running conduit everywhere “just in case.” Years later, nobody could remember what went where, and we ended up tearing into the same walls anyway. Sometimes all that planning just adds confusion.
That said, I’m with you: if there’s one spot you know might need tech or upgrades later—fireplaces, media walls, kitchens—it’s worth the extra effort. Drywall is cheap compared to regret. But I’ve been burned by overthinking it too. Once designed a whole ceiling grid for “future lighting flexibility” in a restaurant... only for them to never move a single fixture. Just money down the drain.
Creative chaos is definitely part of it. Honestly, some of my best ideas have come from trying to fix something that didn’t go as planned. You learn way more from the stuff that doesn’t work out than from the ones that go perfectly smooth.
At the end of the day, I’d rather have too many options than not enough—but I try to keep my “future proofing” practical and easy to understand for whoever comes after me. Otherwise it’s just organized chaos... or maybe not so organized.
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS
Totally get what you mean about “future proofing” turning into a headache. I’ve walked into projects years later and found mystery wires or empty boxes that nobody could identify—sometimes it’s more confusing than helpful. I do like leaving access panels or chase spaces in spots where tech might change, but only if it’s clear and labeled. Has anyone actually seen a future-proofing idea work out perfectly, or does it always get messy in practice?
