Electrical Must-Haves for a New Build

  1. Briar says:

    Sensor lighting, in bathroom and pantry

  2. Marianne in Mo. says:

    I wish I had asked for a four-plug outlet where our nightstands are. We have a lamp, an electric alarm clock, charger for phone/kindle/computer and often need to plug in a heating pad. So we currently have an extension cord to manage all of that or get a power strip (which I keep forgetting to do!) I forgot to suggest the floor outlets yesterday!!! We have an open floor plan, and they are a must, because we don’t like to use overhead lighting to read by. We have two, both are double outlets, as all our seating “floats” away from any walls.

    • Danelle says:

      Yep! The power strip gets so annoying. Almost everything needs plugged in nowadays!

  3. Donna says:

    Under cabinet lighting with a switch!

  4. Yolanda McLean says:

    These are all great tips! BTW the font looks great, easy to read.

  5. Susan Shultz says:

    Linen closet lighting, not just outlets. . A pantry that has a door with an automatic on/off light, just like a refrigerator. Sensor lighting on the stairs. It helps at night.

  6. robyn says:

    With the USB outlets be extra cautious with what design you get because if you get the one with the USB between the outlets it’s useless if you have apple 🍎 products and have the big blocks to charge with.

  7. Sharon Doss says:

    I have a light switch by my bed to turn the porch lights off and on.

  8. Jo Ann says:

    Put outlets on the top of your mantles. That makes plugs easier to hide. If the outlets are on the sides they might not be covered depending on your decor.

  9. Teddee Grace says:

    I have never lived any place in which there were enough electrical outlets. I’ve even wished for outlets in the floors for floor lamps and was impressed the one time I was in France that the bedside sconces were wired in, which eliminated the need for outlets, at least for the lamps, and also eliminated ugly cords that are never totally hidden even with cord covers. Your planning is going to make everything so handy! I’m just as excited as you are, I think, to see your finished house.

  10. Virginia Ritchey says:

    Is your new build going extremely fast? It seems to be from what I can see here in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy watching the progress, you both must be over the moon with excitement! Best of luck.

  11. Lucy says:

    Sensor lighting in the garage. I love opening the back door to go out and the light comes on in the garage automatically!

  12. Jill says:

    Hallway outlets!!

  13. Dawn says:

    I love this post. It’s so helpful. Page looks great too.

  14. stacy watson says:

    Garden area outlets,also along any fencing, my husband is an electrician and he wondered how much snow you get. If lots he suggested electrical ice/snow melting for your roof and driveways

  15. stacy watson says:

    Garden area outlets,also along any fencing, my husband is an electrician and he wondered how much snow you get. If lots he suggested electrical ice/snow melting for your roof and driveways
    Also built in ironing board with outlet

  16. Denise K says:

    Outside outlets if you plan to do any landscape lights.

  17. Julie says:

    Do you need a whole house generator?

  18. Meredith says:

    A switch for outside Christmas lights in master closet so they can be the last thing that goes off before bed. Automatic light in pantry so it comes on when the door is opened. (Hands are often full!)

  19. Kim Schumacher says:

    We have an automatic fan in our half bath so if guests you know 💩 they don’t have to worry about the smell. We also have lots of two, three and even four way switches for our overhead lights. Very convenient especially if you have multiple doorways into a room. Our 4 way in our breakfast room is a lifesaver. One switch as we come in from the mudroom, one switch by the patio slider, one switch by the porch slider and one switch by the doorway into the kitchen. Anywhere I come into that room I can click a light off or on.

  20. Barbara Boden says:

    POP UP ELECTRICAL OUTLETS
Great if you don’t like clutter on your kitchen counter.
    This outlet with several plug-ins, pops up from under the counter and can be pushed down again when not in use. When placed with cabinets under the counter, it is totally hidden from sight when not in use.

    ****INVISIBLE OUTLETS
Electrical outlets recessed about half an inch into the wall, allow you to push the electrical appliance right up against the wall. This in turn not only gives you more counter space but the unsightly plugs and cords remain hidden.

  21. Linda S. says:

    Hi Deb and Danelle- Ask your electrician to install an under the vanity, instant hot water tank. In the winter months, this is especially nice to have….No waiting for the water to get warm. We too, live in Ohio, so this is a great thing to put on your checklist!

  22. Salli says:

    Generator is a must!

  23. Rachelle says:

    We did almost all of those.
    In the garage we also did extra plugs for fridge and freezer. Also had a water line added for the second fridge.
    Tv outlets in each room and on the patio so they all can be mounted on the wall with no wires.
    Another one would be a plug out back for a hot tub and if you use tools in the garage a 220 plug for bigger power saws.
    We also plumbed and did electric for a second set of washer and dryer.

  24. Tim Davis says:

    Interlock type switch that is built into door jam on hinge side so when you open door light comes on, & when closed light goes off. Use this in kitchen pantry, under stair storage area, or similar type situation. Our kitchen walk in pantry has no typical switch but this type switch. You can use motion sensor type lights for after house is built to retrofit the same type working method

  25. Tim Davis says:

    Outlets in kitchen island are actually code to be there, if not there then city inspector missed it, or island put in after house was built. Not sure I understand logic in “Outlet in linen closet for robot vacuum”. Door to linen closet would always have to be left open unless this is some sort of situation where there is no door. They run at random times throughout the day.

  26. Tim Davis says:

    In master bath I installed an outlet behind lower drawer so blow dryer can be stored in drawer and always plugged in. This is a larger type drawer also. Open drawer, use blow dryer for hair, place back in drawer and close. No blow dryer hanging around, and don’t have to plug in and out to use. Wife loves it and bathroom is cleaner and neater done this way.

  27. Tim Davis says:

    I have the soffit outlets for the outside Christmas lights with switch in garage as mentioned. Of course now I’m using them for Ring security cameras. I will have to buy remote controlled plugs to turn off the Christmas lights now. House built in 2003 and technology for security cameras was not as good or available then. So I would mention that soffit outlets every where you can that are non switched either next to switched Christmas outlets and/or anywhere you think you might want to ever install a camera. I buy the refurbished cameras from Ring. Just as good and you save money.

  28. Tim Davis says:

    The robot vacuums are great but instead of the you are the robot vacuum you know what I mean. I have a central vacuum system and it has been the best investment ever. Eliminates sometimes the need for outlets in closets and such. Big plus much stronger suction and the sound is all in the garage. Ours is over 20 years old and still running strong. I know this isn’t exactly an outlet topic, but good to know on new build.

  29. Kay G says:

    Some great ideas. We are going to start a new build soon and this info was extremely helpful. Great comments too, by others-thank you. I also like dimmable lighting for the counter tops and will consider “plugmold/ wiremold strips” under wall cabinets for the kitchen instead of visible outlets on the backsplash.

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