Construction Guide

Smart Home Wiring: The Checklist Before Plastering

If your home is under construction, this is the only thing you need to read before your electrician starts wiring. Plan the right points, conduits, and panels now — or break walls 6 months after you move in.

1. What is Smart Home Wiring?

A structured way of running power and data so your lights, fans, ACs, curtains, and gates can be controlled by normal switches plus app, voice, and automation.

Good Smart Wiring Means

Normal switch works even if WiFi is down
No ugly adapters around switchboard
Panels are accessible for service
Add scenes and automation later without breaking walls

2. Where People Mess Up

Most problems start because smart home is discussed too late.

1

After Tiles and Plaster

  • No scope to add conduits
  • Panels end up in random cupboards
  • Cost goes up due to rework
2

Electrician Starts Without Smart Plan

  • Extra loops and joints
  • Wrong junction box positions
  • Neutral not taken to all points
3

Brand Chosen Before Design

  • Product brochure drives wiring
  • Locked into one ecosystem
  • Overspending on hardware, underspending on infrastructure

Correct Sequence

1Floor Plan
2Lighting & Appliance Plan
3Smart Wiring Design
4Electrical Execution

3. Room-by-Room Checklist

Use this practical list with your architect and electrician.

Living & Dining

Separate Circuits
  • Main ceiling lights
  • Cove/profile lights
  • Decorative chandeliers
  • Plug points
Conduits For
  • TV panel & media unit
  • WiFi router position
  • Sound system wiring
Smart Points
  • Scene control from one switch
  • Master off when leaving
  • Combined living+dining control

Bedrooms

Separate Circuits
  • Main light (2-way control)
  • Fan on separate circuit
  • AC with dedicated MCB
Conduits For
  • Bedside both sides
  • Reading lights
  • Motorized curtains
Smart Points
  • Night and Morning scenes
  • Control from bed
  • Temperature control option

Kitchen

Separate Circuits
  • Ceiling lights
  • Under cabinet lights
  • Heavy appliances (oven, dishwasher)
Conduits For
  • Exhaust fan
  • Smart appliance zones
Smart Points
  • Motion-based utility light
  • Smart plug provision

Bathrooms & Utility

Separate Circuits
  • Geyser with separate MCB
  • Exhaust fan
  • Main lights
Conduits For
  • Motion sensor ready
  • Proper waterproof boxes
Smart Points
  • Auto lights option
  • Geyser timer control

4. Central Panels & Distribution

Best Locations

Dress area
Service shaft
Tech cupboard near living

Avoid These

Inside toilet ceilings
Hard to access lofts
Cramped meter room

From each panel, star wire to switchboards, lights, and loads. Onwords uses panel designs proven across 400+ smart home projects.

5. Network & WiFi Planning

Smart home without reliable internet is a headache.

Data conduit to every important room
LAN cable to TV unit and work desk
WiFi access points in central ceilings
Power + data near main door for video phone

Do this before false ceiling work starts. Smart locks, cameras, and voice assistants all depend on this layer.

6. Gate, Security & Common Areas

Gate & Driveway

  • Power point near motor with earthing
  • Conduit to main distribution board
  • Conduit to intercom/door phone
  • Smart controller location access

CCTV & Door Communication

  • Power + data near each camera
  • Bell and lock wiring to main panel
  • Separate low voltage conduits
  • Indoor monitor location planning

Onwords has completed 6000+ gate automations — we coordinate gate wiring with smart home control.

7. Cost Ranges

For a 2-3 BHK independent house or flat. You pay for extra wiring + design time.

Basic Smart Ready

₹25K – ₹60K
  • Above normal wiring cost
  • Correct loops and neutrals
  • Basic conduit planning
  • Standard panel layout

Advanced Smart Ready

₹60K – ₹1.2L
  • Central panel design
  • Network backbone included
  • Future-proof for curtains & AV
  • Gate integration ready

What Changes the Number

Number of circuits and panels
Size of home and ceiling type
Quality of cables and hardware
Fresh construction vs renovation

Send your floor plan for a smart wiring estimate and circuit map.

8. How Smart Should Your Wiring Be?

1

Home size and usage

Compact flatMid-size with kids/parentsLarge villa
2

Control style you want

Normal + few scenesFull app/voice for main roomsDeep automation
3

Future plan

Keep upgrade readyGo fully smart from day one
4

Budget band

Basic (₹25-60K extra)Advanced (₹60K-1.2L extra)
5

Partner choice

Electrician + specialist like OnwordsNot just online sellers

9. Why Plan With Onwords

You need someone who understands construction, wiring, and long-term maintenance.

  • Smart wiring plans matched to your architect drawings
  • Coordination with your electrician — practical, not theoretical
  • 400+ smart homes, 6000+ gate automations across South India
  • Clear documentation: panel layouts, circuit mapping, device list

Our Living Homes concept treats wiring, networking, and automation as one system — not separate gadgets glued together.

10. FAQs

Get It Right the First Time

Smart home wiring is basic infrastructure for any modern home. Get it right now, and future upgrades to lighting, climate, security, and entertainment will be smooth.