New Build - Network Cabling

superblade

Hi all,
I've reserved a plot for a new build house but network cabling isn't an option on the extras list. Having spoken to the sales manager they have asked Head Office and they have also stated they cant offer it. (They are one of the big developers)
I also want to add a satellite cable run from the living room to the roof space (an aerial is already done in this way) - yet i can get runs to the bedrooms for satellite? 
I'd also very much like to run an armoured cable from the distribution box to a coil at the garden (not connected) so for a spa or summer house there's cable ready to go rather than having to essentially rip out a kitchen to run the cable afterwards.
I could obviously do it after completion but to me that feels unnecessary for what is a much simpler job before the plasterboard walls go on?
I'm after network cabling for a variety of reasons, CCTV, better stability internet, HDMI over Ethernet etc. 
Has anyone else had a similar issue and how did you resolve it?

Cash-Cows

Seems shortsighted that this is not standard let alone an option. 
Walkaway and then in the feedback from the sales agent to HQ they will have this as reason for lost sale. Won't help you but these days it's like buying a car with no aircon. 

AdrianC

There are two and only two options if you want a house with network cabling installed.
1. You can buy this house without network cabling, and add it later.
or
2. You can walk away from this house completely and reserve a plot from a developer who offers it pre-installed.
Choose one.

Buying this house with network cabling pre-installed is not an option. The developer have decided they do not want to do that. They do not want your trades to enter during the first-fix phase either.
This is perfectly understandable - if there's problems with the cabling getting damaged, there's going to be arguments over liability. If there's problems in the region of the cabling, there's going to be arguments, too.
And, if the sale happens to fall through, there's going to be all sorts of issues arising there.

superblade

We've only reserved so far, we're in Scotland so have to complete missives in the next few weeks.
However I don't want to lose the house, we've been waiting for the plot for nearly 2 years, though I am really miffed about it.
I guess the alternative is to knock off some of the extras off and when they ask why its because it'll be easier to run cables under floors before the carpets are laid down after completion etc 
I love the analogy of a car with no-aircon - most typical home buyers don't appreciate that CAT6 can be used for many things and the huge benefit it provides. It isn't just for networking. Just like the missus 'Why do we need network cabling when we can have wifi!' 
I think i may have to try my luck with the sparkies on site and if that fails bring a contractor in or DIY myself after completion *sigh*

Pok3mon

A friend of mine had this issue, he spoke to the site foreman and gave him his number when the sparkies was in first fixing  he rung he then spoke to the sparks told them what he wanted and they did it for him. There was abet of cash exchanges done but better and cheaper now.

Mickey666

Cash-Cows said:

Seems shortsighted that this is not standard let alone an option. 
Walkaway and then in the feedback from the sales agent to HQ they will have this as reason for lost sale. Won't help you but these days it's like buying a car with no aircon. 

Absolutely!  indeed, I'd go one further and say it should be a requirement in building regulations for new builds.

The two problems, I'd say, are that few people understand the concept of 'flood wiring' a house, even though it's standard practice in office buildings and really is cheap as chips, plus most people think everything can be done via wifi these days, even though this forum is full of people having wifi problems!

AdrianC

Mickey666 said:

Cash-Cows said:

Seems shortsighted that this is not standard let alone an option. 

Absolutely!  indeed, I'd go one further and say it should be a requirement in building regulations for new builds.

It's still very, VERY much niche.

Let's face it, most people have most of their kit on wireless.
A lot of households don't even have a desktop computer - they just have mobile devices, phones/tabs. If they do have an actual PC, it's a laptop which a lot of the time they'll use on battery at the kitchen table. They've got smartspeakers in every room, all on wireless. The SmartTV's on wireless - probably even if it's sat right next to the router...
Ask the vast majority the difference between wifi and broadband, and they'll look at you gone-out.

And that's before you consider the ever-increasing number of people who are happy with mobile data, and don't even have a terrestrial broadband connection.

I'm an IT techie by day, and I live in a house with thick solid stone internal walls and several outbuildings... I understand why a patch-panel under the stairs would be a nice thing to have.

Joe Public? Not so much... 

Peter999_2

I agree with the OP that it should just automatically be installed, the cabling is so useful for a multitude of things.   All the new builds where I live all have CAT 6 cable installed with outlets behind all the TVs and all over.

Having said this, I refused to buy a house in 2004 that didn't have a good internet connection.  My wife wasn't the best pleased but I vetoed buying that one.  

AdrianC

...and, of course, the ultimate decider for the developers...

How many sales will it lose?
How much extra profit would it make, after the ballache and trouble-shooting is taken into account?

Herbalus

For a “Joe Public” person here, can you expand on the extra benefits and more things you can do with it aside from wireless internet?

I have a wireless router and everything in the house works off it fine, so I can’t see a gap in it for me at the moment. Willing to learn though

AdrianC

Herbalus said:

For a “Joe Public” person here, can you expand on the extra benefits and more things you can do with it aside from wireless internet?

Short version - faster (especially with multiple devices sharing your broadband), more secure (the neighbours can't get on it - so long as you have zero wireless at all), and more reliable.

The big downside, of course, is cables to all of your devices going back to wall sockets, then there's a patch panel and network switch in a cupboard somewhere...