When building a new home, there are a thousand decisions to make and every one feels important. Unfortunately, some of the most expensive mistakes are invisible once the house is finished.

They happen behind the walls.

At Aura Design, we regularly meet homeowners who love their new homes but feel frustrated by the technology. WiFi drops out. Speakers are in the wrong places. TVs are limited. Security cameras can’t be added without opening walls. And upgrading later costs far more than it should.

Almost always, the problem comes down to pre-wiring mistakes made during construction.

Here are the most common ones we see and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Not Running Enough Ethernet

This is the most expensive mistake to fix after the fact.

Many builders still install one or two network cables per floor and call it a day. But modern homes need far more connectivity. TVs, access points, cameras, automation systems, work-from-home setups, and audio equipment all depend on wired connections.

When Ethernet is missing, homeowners are forced to rely on WiFi for everything. That leads to slow speeds, dropouts, and unreliable systems.

The fix is simple but must be done early. Run Ethernet to every TV location, office, bedroom, access point, camera, and equipment rack. Even unused cables become valuable later.

Mistake 2: Treating WiFi Like an Afterthought

WiFi performance is not about the router you buy. It is about how the home is designed.

Without planned access point locations, homeowners end up with dead zones, slow connections, and constant complaints. Adding access points after drywall means surface-mounted cables or compromised performance.

Proper pre-wiring includes ceiling or wall locations for access points on every floor, with dedicated Ethernet back to a central rack. This creates full coverage without visible hardware.

Mistake 3: No Central Equipment Location

Every smart home needs a brain.

Without a dedicated equipment space, networking gear, audio equipment, and automation controllers get scattered across the house. This leads to messy installs, heat issues, and difficult troubleshooting.

A small closet or mechanical room can become a clean, organized hub for everything if it’s planned early. Power, ventilation, and cable pathways make all the difference.

Mistake 4: Forgetting About Audio Pre-Wiring

Homeowners almost always want music everywhere. Kitchens, living rooms, patios, and even bathrooms become listening spaces.

If speaker wiring is not installed during construction, adding audio later means opening walls or using surface-mounted solutions.

Pre-wiring speaker locations costs very little during framing and gives you the freedom to add whole-home audio at any time.

Mistake 5: No Planning for Home Theatre or Media Rooms

Many homeowners plan to add a home theatre someday, but they do not wire for it.

That leads to projectors with visible cables, speakers in the wrong locations, and compromised sound. A simple pre-wire for speakers, screens, and conduit prevents all of this.

Even if the room is finished later, the infrastructure should be ready.

Mistake 6: Ignoring Motorized Shades and Lighting Control

Smart lighting and motorized shades require wiring that cannot be added easily after construction.

Without planning, homeowners are forced to use battery-powered shades, limited smart switches, or inconsistent lighting control.

Pre-wiring key windows and lighting locations allows for clean, integrated control later, even if shades are installed years after move-in.

Mistake 7: No Conduit for the Future

Technology always changes. What doesn’t change is the difficulty of opening finished walls.

Running empty conduit between key areas such as the equipment rack, TVs, and theatres gives you insurance for future upgrades. It is one of the cheapest additions during construction and one of the most valuable later.

Mistake 8: Not Talking to an AV Expert Early

This is the root cause of almost every wiring mistake.

Electricians are excellent at electrical work, but low-voltage systems require different planning. Builders are focused on structure and timelines. Without an AV expert involved early, no one is responsible for the technology design as a whole.

A short conversation early in the project would prevent most of these problems entirely.

Why These Mistakes Cost So Much Later

Once walls are closed, everything becomes more expensive. Cutting drywall, repainting, moving furniture, and working around finished spaces adds time and cost. Some upgrades become impossible without major renovations.

Pre-wiring mistakes do not just cost money. They limit what your home can do.

How to Avoid All of This

The solution is simple. Involve an AV expert early.

At Aura Design, we design pre-wiring plans that coordinate with builders, architects, and electricians. We make sure the right wires are in the right places, even if the technology is installed later.

We explain this in more detail in:

• Why You Should Talk to an AV Expert Early When Building a New Home

• What Is a Smart Home System? An Expert Guide

• How Much Does a Smart Home Cost in Ottawa? A Realistic Pricing Guide

Linking these together creates a smarter, smoother build.

Building a New Home in Ottawa? Let’s Get the Wiring Right

If you’re in the framing stage or still planning your build, now is the time to get this right. A small investment in planning can save thousands and protect your home for decades.

Aura Design helps homeowners and builders wire homes properly from day one.

One conversation now avoids regret later.