The cheapest moment to build a smart home is the week before drywall goes up. Retrofit costs three to five times more and usually means compromises. If you are rebuilding in Altadena or the Palisades, or breaking ground on new construction anywhere in Los Angeles, this is the checklist we walk through with every builder and architect.

Network first

Run Cat6A to every television location, office desk, access point position on the ceiling, camera position outside, and equipment closet. Two runs per location, not one - the second cable costs almost nothing during rough-in and saves an open-wall repair later. Plan a dedicated, ventilated equipment closet with power and cooling, not a shelf in the garage.

Audio and video

Speaker cable to every room where music might ever matter: kitchen, primary suite, office, patio, pool area. In-ceiling speaker locations are decided now, while joists are visible. If a dedicated theater or media lounge is planned, rough in conduit for projector, screen and acoustic panels even if the room will be finished later.

Shades, lighting and low voltage

Motorized shades need power or low-voltage wiring at the head of every window - the single most common thing owners regret skipping. Panelized lighting systems like Lutron need home runs to a central panel, planned alongside the electrician's work.

Security and access

Doorbell, gate intercom, camera positions and door sensors all want wire, even if you plan to start with a smaller system.

And everywhere: conduit

Empty conduit from the equipment closet to the attic, to the crawlspace and to the future EV charger or ADU is insurance against every technology that does not exist yet.

Ermine provides pre-wiring plans and works directly with your general contractor - drawings, rough-in, trim-out and final calibration. Start at erminehub.com/services/infrastructure or talk to us at erminehub.com/contact.