If you're building a new home in Las Vegas — whether it's a custom estate in MacDonald Highlands or a production home in Summerlin — the single most important decision for your future smart home happens before drywall goes up. It's not which automation platform to choose or which speakers to buy. It's what wires you run.
Running cable during framing costs 60–70% less than retrofitting later. And there are cables you literally cannot add after walls are closed — at least not without tearing into drywall. This guide covers every wire, conduit, and outlet you need to future-proof your home.
The Pre-Wire Checklist
1. Structured Wiring (Network)
Run CAT6A Ethernet to:
- Every room (at least 1 drop per room, 2 in offices and media rooms)
- Every access point location (ceiling-mounted, one per 1,000–1,500 sq ft)
- Every exterior camera location (8–12 minimum for a standard home)
- Front door (doorbell camera)
- Media cabinet/rack location
- Garage (for future EV charger smart control, cameras)
All runs terminate at a central structured wiring closet — a dedicated, ventilated space (not a cramped utility niche) where your network rack, automation processor, and AV distribution live. Plan for a 42" deep closet minimum, with a dedicated 20A circuit and ventilation.
2. Speaker Wire
Run 14-gauge or 16-gauge speaker wire to:
- In-ceiling speaker locations in every room you'd ever want music (kitchen, living room, master bedroom, master bath, guest rooms, office, gym, laundry room)
- Home theater surround locations (at minimum 7.2.4 Atmos configuration — 7 ear-level, 2 subwoofer, 4 ceiling/height channels)
- Outdoor speaker locations (patio, pool, front porch, side yard)
- Back to the AV closet / equipment rack
3. Shade Power
For motorized shades, each window needs either:
- Low-voltage wire (preferred): 18/2 or 16/2 wire from each window head to a central power supply. Cleaner install, easier to maintain.
- 110V outlet: A recessed outlet in the window pocket. Required for some shade motors and as a backup option.
Run to every window — even ones you don't plan to shade right now. The wire costs almost nothing; the drywall repair to add it later costs hundreds per window.
4. Lighting
- Run neutral wires to every switch box (most smart dimmers/switches require neutral — surprisingly, many older Las Vegas homes don't have them at every box)
- Plan for Lutron keypads at room entries — these need their own low-voltage wiring back to the lighting processor
- Pre-wire for under-cabinet lighting, cove lighting, and toe-kick lighting in kitchens, hallways, and bathrooms
- Wire architectural lighting features (art lights, niche lights, landscape lighting controls) back to the lighting panel
5. Security
For a comprehensive security system:
- Run wiring for door/window sensors on every exterior door and window (even if you don't arm them all initially)
- Pre-wire for glass break detectors in rooms with large windows
- Pre-wire for interior motion detectors in hallways and common areas
- Run siren wire to exterior siren locations
- Ethernet to all camera locations (covered above, but critical for security)
6. HDMI / Video Distribution
- Run conduit (not just cable) between the AV rack and every TV location. Conduit lets you pull new cables as standards change (HDMI 2.1 today, whatever's next tomorrow).
- Run CAT6A to every TV location for AV-over-IP distribution (Crestron NVX, AVPro Edge). This is replacing HDMI matrix switches and can distribute 4K to unlimited displays.
- Run fiber for long runs (over 50 ft) to media rooms and remote TVs.
The Equipment Closet
Every smart home needs a dedicated equipment closet — the nerve center where all wiring terminates. Requirements:
- Size: Minimum 3' × 4' for a standard home, 4' × 6' for estates. Deep enough for a full-depth rack (42").
- Climate control: Dedicated mini-split or HVAC vent. Equipment generates heat — an unventilated closet will cook your gear, especially in Las Vegas.
- Power: Two dedicated 20A circuits minimum. UPS (battery backup) for critical systems.
- Location: Central to the home for optimal cable runs. First floor or basement preferred. NOT the garage (too hot in Las Vegas).
Working with Your Builder
We work with Las Vegas's top builders during the construction process:
- Blue Heron — luxury custom homes in Henderson and MacDonald Highlands
- Christopher Homes — premium communities across the valley
- Tri Pointe Homes — production homes with smart home pre-wire options
- Forte Construction — custom builds in Summerlin and Henderson
- Merlin Custom Homes — high-end custom in The Ridges and MacDonald Highlands
Our process: we join the project during design, coordinate with the architect and electrician on wire routing, perform the pre-wire during rough-in, photograph everything before drywall, and return for trim-out and programming after the home is finished.
Building a new home? Contact us during the design phase — the earlier we're involved, the more we can do for your budget. See our cost guide for detailed pricing on the systems themselves.