Get Wired

            The popularity of built-in technology has made its mark in contemporary residential construction. Entertainment, security and business are top priorities of the modern homeowner, and the building industry is bringing convenient access to each under roof through extensive whole-house wiring or wireless solutions.

            Kevin Wray, owner of Kraven Solutions in Rocky Mount, said homeowners have options when it comes to enhancing the technology of their home.

            “There are two different schools of thought on how to wire a system,” said Wray. “One is the original way, in which you hard wire every location and also run conduit for future expansions. The second is using wireless technologies. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n standards offer a wide range of options for transmitting and receiving data. Not only is it possible for you to receive your Internet connection wirelessly, but music servers, lighting control and HDTV content can also be pushed through this band.”

            Wray said he recommends hard wiring because it is the most dependable option.

            “The popular choice of home builders is allowing the existing electrician to run telephone [CAT5], Internet [CAT5], and cable [RG6] lines throughout the house. This method is typically cheaper and gives the homeowner the feeling of being connected,” said Wray.

            In order to ensure proper installation and function, Wray said it is best to separate the low voltage from the high voltage systems.

            “We use products from Honeywell, Channel Vision, On Q, Wirepath, and Lutron to help create a low voltage backbone throughout the premises. We typically place the head end in a centralized location within the home to help optimize performance and reliability.”

            Wray said installing systems in an existing home is possible through retrofitted services. In order to install a retrofit system, however, holes must be drilled into walls and floors, making it a more expensive option.

            Prior to signing a contract with a wiring expert, Wray said a homeowner can expect to meet with the expert to detail the home building plans and future wiring needs. After a contract is signed, the wiring company will design a plan specific to the home. Then, the rough-in phase begins.

            “Rough-in boxes are placed for speakers, media plates and other devices that will be applicable in the system,” Wray said. “Upon completion of all rough-in work, we wait for the drywall and most of the finish work to be completed. This process can range from a few weeks to a year depending on the process of the building schedule.”

            When the home interior is ready, all of the cables are punched down and terminated at each location. Wray said the networks are then tested for speed and reliability. In the final phase of the process (the “finish phase”), electronic equipment is installed and tested and clients are shown how to operate their system.

Computer Networking

            Whole-house computer networking can be secured in a similar fashion to other wired systems. Brian Hamilton, owner of Agabus Solutions computer networking company in Glade Hill, said in new construction, a centralized location housing an electric panel acts as a hub for Internet data lines, which are run to every room requiring Internet connection.

            “An internet service provider [ISP] would connect to a main panel box, and then data can be run to a modem router which feeds all rooms in house,” said Hamilton.

            Hamilton said installing computer networking in an existing home can vary considerably.

            “It really depends on house configuration and budget. Is it a one- or two-story house? Is there a crawl space, unfinished basement or poured slab? These are all factors in networking installation,” he said. He added that wireless systems can often prove problematic but are the most affordable option for an existing home.

Property and Personal Protection

            Security is one aspect of home building that homeowners consider absolutely necessary and can be adapted in a variety of ways. Danny Reynolds, installation technician with Security Services, Inc. (SSI) in Glade Hill and vice president of the Virginia Fire & Burglar Alarm Association, said each security installation project is designed according to the needs of the homeowner.

            “We meet with [the homeowners] and ask what they’re trying to achieve,” said Reynolds. “There are typically two main requests – property protection when the residents are not at home … and personal protection.”

            Reynolds said security can be achieved with varying combinations of driveway sensors, alarm systems, automated lighting, secure doors and windows, monitored smoke detectors and much more.

Calculating Costs

            Wray said the cost to complete a whole-house wiring project depends on the homeowner’s wiring needs.

            “A good rule of thumb for a basic structured wiring system is about 2 percent of the home’s value. When adding audio, video and security you increase the price above that range. Whole-house wiring and connectivity can range from 5 percent of the cost of the home to about 10 percent or 12 percent for a high-end system,” he said.

            Wray, Hamilton and Reynolds all emphasized the importance of considering your security, entertainment and computer networking needs before starting even the earliest stages of building a home.