Whole House wiring

[kbone78]

I posted a few weeks ago about pre-wiring a house I am building. You guys recommended a Nuvo system.

I spoke with the builder today and I think I have a problem. The system they will install is just 2 speaker wires to each room with an inline volume control. I asked if they will run an extra CAT5 cable to each room, but I doubt they'll do it.

I was planning on adding a tuner to the system and using the zone 2 on my Denon 3803 as the other input to a Nuvo Simplese. Do you have any suggestions for how I can accomplish the same kind of system with what the builder will give me?

Thanks

 

[BMXTRIX]

I suggest you remind the builder that you are paying for the building of the home and that you have no problem with paying for additional wiring runs.

How much is it for a CAT-5 outlet? Is your builder willing to put CAT-5 outlets wherever you want them?

Is so, specify that you want wiring for a volume control and instead of a volume control, you want a CAT-5 OUTLET at switch height right next to the door.

Complain to the builder, bend them over backwards about how f'n clueless their low voltage technicians are and that they MUST make that leap into the 21st century to allow for modern low voltage technologies. No stupid idiots should be touching your home, and it sounds like their low voltage guys are exactly that.

TEAR THEM APART

I am just finishing building a home (local builder - www.ryanhomes.com) and they had zero problem running a ton of conduit, my own wires, and doing a ton of fun crazy custom stuff.

It is far below the level of any reasonable builder not to subcontract or have employees that can do decent work. Especially when YOU are paying the tab.

 

[kbone78]

Problem is

that its not a totally custom home. We got to pick out a plan and pick upgrades and such from a list. The "home-wiring" option only includes those two speaker wires running through.

I was at the preconstruction meeting yesterday where I asked them exactly what their system will include and they didn't know directly. They are supposed to call me back today and let me know. I will ask them if they will run the cat5 for me at extra cost. If they won't, I may just sneak in there one night after they've all gone home and run the wire myself. I doubt anyone will notice an extra wire. I'll just get some cable with a matching jacket color to their wiring.

But, failing all this, can a system like I want still be setup with only the 2 speaker wires running to each room?

 

[JohnA]

that its not a totally custom home. We got to pick out a plan and pick upgrades and such from a list. The "home-wiring" option only includes those two speaker wires running through.

I was at the preconstruction meeting yesterday where I asked them exactly what their system will include and they didn't know directly. They are supposed to call me back today and let me know. I will ask them if they will run the cat5 for me at extra cost. If they won't, I may just sneak in there one night after they've all gone home and run the wire myself. I doubt anyone will notice an extra wire. I'll just get some cable with a matching jacket color to their wiring.

But, failing all this, can a system like I want still be setup with only the 2 speaker wires running to each room?

Sorry to hear that your builder is a prick....it is your home! Don't ask them to do something, you need to tell them! Or like you said run the wire yourself. With the NuVo system you do need a cat 5 run to each location. If the builder is not strapping down the speaker runs you could use the speaker run from the equipment location to the volume control as a pull line, just food for thought. Any whole house audio system that uses keypads needs a cat 5 line. You could use a simple distribution hub, but it wouldn't do what you want. If the builder doesn't do what you want...take it to the next step and contact the owner of the company and complain, and if that doesn't work file a complaint with the BBB.

Good Luck

 

[BMXTRIX]

Who is your builder?

Ask them who does the 'low-voltage' work.

As I said, I am building a home - non-custom for sure! It's just a pre-fab, built in Pennsylvania jigsaw puzzle that is shipped to Virginia and assembled. Not custom at all.

But, the wiring is still done by regular guys who run wires and in THIS day and age, having CAT-5 (ethernet) run anywhere you want it, is just allowed. It was like 60 bucks or so for any single ethernet or cable outlet that I wanted, and I picked where it went.

They also had 'audio wiring' packages. I told them I didn't want their speakers, I didn't even trust their quality of wire. Almost immediately I was working directly with the person who was actually going to be pulling the wire. I ended up being out there the day they pulled the wire and I made SURE every wire not only was pulled, but that it was where I wanted it and was correct.

I believe that the guy pulling the wire was really excited about doing something a little different than normal, and it only took about 14 hours to do the wiring. This is something you PAY for, so if they won't do it themselves demand the right to have an experienced professional do the work, or find another way. Go in at night - whatever. I am 100% behind the belief that this is YOUR home - you are paying for it - and they should be doing it your way.

In my opinion, home builders are complete morons. Not the actual laborers, but the management offices are totally inept and out of tune with client's needs and expectations.

 

[MacManNM]

Just go to the house on a friday afternoon, bring some beer and tell them that you are going to add some wiring to the house. They will help you do everything and they will love you for the beer. I did this with 2 of my houses, worked great.

 

[dbarry]

Building Inspector - electrical inspection.

I would be a little adverse to pulling my own wire in a new home that has building permit requirements. Are you sure that you do not want an occupancy permit? If so - then wire away and forget code requirements.

 

[279BLUE]

inspections

Most building inspectors don't care about the low voltage wiring. As long as you don't drill holes in framing where it is not allowed. Just use existing holes & follow the other wires. You might aso try to sneak in some flexable conduit. Then you can pull any wire you want later.

 

[Farm]

Pulling Wire Yourself

I just finished pulling about 700 ft. of wire in a home we are building. The builder didn't care at all. I would NOT recommend pulling it through the existing holes in the framing as those are usually occupied with electric. You run the risk of hum if speaker and electric wiring run too close in parallel with each other. I tried (as best I could) to cross electric at 90 degrees and keep at least a ft. between wiring types (not as hard as it sounds). Make sure your wire matches building code (CL3 rated should be fine). It was tedious, but I now know exactly where the wiring is should I need to go back in the future.

2 cents...