Smart home wiring for a new build is mostly about what goes into the walls before drywall: network cable to every room, empty conduit for later, a dedicated EV circuit, panel space and a lighting control plan. Wire is easy to add before insulation and disruptive after. Devices can be swapped later.
Why pre-wire during framing instead of later?
Wireless devices come and go, but the wiring behind the wall stays for the life of the house. Fishing a cable through an insulated, finished wall means opening drywall. Doing it at rough-in means running it along the studs. That is the whole case for pre-wiring: you cannot predict which devices you will own in five years, but you can predict that they will need power and a network connection in about the same places.
Electrical rough-in in a new home is permitted work done by a Technical Safety BC licensed electrical contractor, so plan the smart wiring into the same visit rather than as a separate trade pass. See new electrical for how that works.
What should you pre-wire in a new home?
| System | What to put in at rough-in | Why it matters later |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Ethernet cable run from a central panel or closet to every room and to ceiling locations for Wi-Fi access points | Wired connections are more reliable than wireless, and access points can sit where coverage needs them |
| Cameras and doorbell | Cable or conduit to exterior locations | Retrofitting through an exterior wall is the hardest cable run in a house |
| Lighting control | Neutral wires at switch boxes, and a layout of which circuits you want dimmed or scheduled | Many smart switches need a neutral at the switch box |
| EV charging | A conduit and a dedicated circuit to the parking location | See the EV section below |
| Solar and battery | Empty conduit between the roof or exterior wall and the panel area, and free panel space | Solar equipment needs a permit, and space is easiest to leave now |
| Blinds, speakers, thermostats | Low-voltage cable to each location | Cheap to add at framing, costly to add after |
| Central equipment location | A ventilated, accessible closet with power and network | Keeps the modem, switch and controllers in one place |
How do you make a new build EV-ready?
Run a dedicated circuit and conduit to the charging location at rough-in, and leave the panel sized for it. Saanich's EV infrastructure page, for example, says one on-site parking space per unit must have an energized outlet capable of Level 2 charging, with the charger itself installable after occupancy. Other Greater Victoria municipalities have their own rules, so check yours. The load side matters as much as the conduit, and our posts on whether an EV charger needs a panel upgrade and the EV charger installation cost guide explain how.
How do you leave room for solar and a battery?
You do not have to install solar to be solar-ready. Leave empty conduit from the likely array location to the panel area, leave free spaces in the panel, and keep wall space near the panel for equipment. The 2024 Canadian Electrical Code, adopted in BC on March 4, 2025, includes new requirements for energy storage systems (Section 64-100), which a battery installer will follow. Technical Safety BC lists installing solar equipment as work that needs an electrical permit. Our article on the 2024 code changes covers what the update means for homes.
What about outdoor power?
The 2024 code adds rules requiring additional receptacles on the outside of dwelling units (Section 26-724). Technical Safety BC's summary does not list the number or locations, so ask your electrician what the permit drawings will show. Pre-wire for outdoor power while you are placing exterior cameras and lighting.
How should you plan the panel for all of this?
Start from the loads you expect: heat pump, EV charger, induction range, a suite, a hot tub, a battery. The panel and service need to carry them under the Code calculation. For a larger home, or one with a suite, plan for more than the day-one list. If a suite or a detached garden unit is part of the plan, read garden suite electrical in Victoria and secondary suite electrical requirements before the panel is sized. The cost to change a service later is covered in the panel upgrade cost guide.
What smart wiring does not need to be decided now?
- Which brand of hub, speakers or cameras you use.
- Which app controls the lights.
- Whether you install a full automation system or just a handful of smart switches.
Those are device choices. The pre-wire gives you the freedom to make them later. Our smart systems page describes what we install and how it connects to the wiring.
Next step
Send us the plans or the framing schedule and we will mark the pre-wire list against them before the rough-in inspection. Request a quote on the contact page. Confirm permit and code rules with your municipality and Technical Safety BC.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important thing to pre-wire in a new build?
Network cable to every room and conduit to places that are hard to reach later, such as exterior camera locations and the EV charging spot. Both are cheap at framing and costly once drywall is up.
Do I need neutral wires at every switch for smart lighting?
Many smart switches need a neutral at the switch box. Ask your electrician to include neutrals in the rough-in so you are not limited in which switches you can use.
Is my new build required to be EV-ready?
It depends on the municipality. Saanich, for example, requires an energized Level 2 outlet for one parking space per new unit. Check your municipality's rules and confirm with them.
How do I prepare for solar later?
Leave empty conduit from the likely array area to the panel, free panel space and wall space for equipment. Installing solar equipment requires an electrical permit from Technical Safety BC or your municipality.
Does smart home wiring need a permit?
The electrical rough-in is permitted work done by a licensed electrical contractor. Confirm with your municipality whether low-voltage-only work is treated differently at your address.
Sources
Last verified October 8, 2026. Rebates, codes and prices change; confirm with the program or Technical Safety BC before you rely on them.