New Build Home Network

antonusklesk · 6 Aug 2015 at 11:51

I'm in the process of buying a new-build and I'm going to have Cat6 to some degree put in before the walls go up.

I'm guessing that I'll be charged on a 'per port' basis, so my question is (as I've not done anything like this before) would I be better off using a 16 port switch and having many ports in each room (living room and office) or having few ports and many switches?

So a single 16-port switch and 15 points installed, or 4 points installed and 5 4-port switches, in your opinion?

antonusklesk · 6 Aug 2015 at 12:09

Thanks bledd. My plan originally was to have everything going into a single patch then switch but suddenly wondered about the many-switch option.

Looks like the single option is indeed better, and will help with any troubleshooting down the line as you say. I just need to persuade the builder to put the master socket under the stairs now so I can place the modem>router>switch and get everything to terminate in there.

antonusklesk · 6 Aug 2015 at 14:15

I'm not sure about PoE, I don't have any immediate plans that would require it, but I suppose future proofing wouldn't be a bad thing.

I'll make sure to request plenty of power sockets in there, the NAS though I'm undecided, as it will have hdmi out but at the same time the TV will be DLNA enabled so I'm not sure whether I'll place the NAS with the rest of the gear or in the living room.

antonusklesk · 6 Aug 2015 at 23:20

Good point actually, I'm sure when I'm in I'll prefer to avoid the hum of WD reds!

antonusklesk · 7 Aug 2015 at 09:48

Thanks for the replies. The builder is a small and local one, their contracts manager is getting a quote together for us, from this I'm hoping that it will be a networking contractor rather than their own sparky. Potential double-edged sword this, their own sparky may actually know what he's doing and be cheaper, while an external may charge a ludicrous price. They're quite a small builder so I might have a chance to speak to their guys direct and look at supplying the gear myself. I'll see if I can do this when it comes to having the conversation about fittings.

I'll also be having the conversation regarding the master socket and ensuring that they know that master socket is not the same as extension.

antonusklesk · 8 Aug 2015 at 12:42

Thanks again, lots to consider! The builder is dragging their feet at the moment so I have another couple of weeks yet I think until I have the discussion about requirements with them. CCS and Excel I'll ask about if can get them to spec it.

antonusklesk · 19 Sep 2015 at 19:35

OK guys, to bump this I've got a price back from the builders finally of £2340 for 16 ports. I've not got a complete breakdown yet of how that's been quoted and what spec it includes.

I've got no real perspective on if that's steep or not, but at that price I'm thinking of dropping to 5e and seeing how much the price drops by.

Any opinions on whether that's reasonable or ride-taking territory?

antonusklesk · 19 Sep 2015 at 19:54

Nope I didn't, anecnotal reading online suggested that dropping to 5e would drop the price significantly, should I not expect a price difference between the two?

antonusklesk · 19 Sep 2015 at 22:24

Caged said:
Is that the price to put network cabling in a building that isn't completed yet, or is it for installing it in an existing, decorated one and making good afterwards?

If it's being done as the house is going up then it is incredibly steep - however you're sort of screwed because the chances of you being allowed to go into your own house with contractors that aren't appointed by the house builder are slim to none.

Yeah this is the problem, it's a new build that is going up at the moment, I thought it seemed high, was expecting around a grand less than that. Hit the nail on the head, they won't let me assign my own contractors. I actually think they don't want to do it so have built a large amount on top to dissuade me or make it really worth their while to do.

I'll tell them it seems ridiculous, and I've already asked for an explanation of the price, not sure what I can do though other than not having it or paying the price. But I'll do my best to bring it down before giving in either way.

antonusklesk · 19 Sep 2015 at 22:39

Oddly everything else about them is either standard or actually reasonably priced. Alarm, turf, fencing, shower, lighting etc and all the usual stuff that's either a pain, not included, or expensive is in all their builds as standard for everyone. I just think that this might be a big ask of them that they see as a risk so they've inflated the price some more.

antonusklesk · 20 Sep 2015 at 18:00

Thanks for that breakdown. I've challenged the quote and will see what they say. Also asked for a price for conduit to the locations now instead.

To be honest if there's no budging I might just end up doing a skirting board job after moving in, it might end up more of a fight than it is worth with the builder at this rate.