Lighting & Electrical in Your New Home - What to Plan, What to Avoid & What Builders Leave Out

Lighting is one of the most overlooked parts of building a new home and one of the most expensive to fix after the fact. In this episode Behan walks through everything you need to think about before your lighting appointment, from switch placement and sensor lights to doorbells, feature lighting and where to save money on fittings. FREE ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING PLAN REVIEW - Until 30 August 2026 We're offering free electrical and lighting plan feedback until 30 August 2026. Submit your plan online: info.independentbuildingadvice.au/free-electrical-plan-review Or email your plan directly to: [email protected] Mention you came from the Home Building Podcast. One of IBA's designers will review your plan and provide constructive feedback. Conditions apply. What you'll learn: Why builders include the bare minimum for electrical and how much extra to allow in your budget Why you should always hardwire your doorbell How to read a lighting plan what the circles and dotted lines actually mean The "wear different hats" exercise how to walk through your home as every family member before you finalise your plan Where to place light switches so they're actually convenient not just compliant Two-way switches explained when and where you need them Why alfresco and outdoor lighting is worth investing in Sensor lights where they work brilliantly and where to avoid them How to save money on feature lighting buy on sale, supply to builder Chapters: 00:00 - Why lighting gets rushed and how to fix that 01:03 - What builders include as standard and why it's never enough 02:34 - Always allow $5,000 to $10,000 extra for electrical 03:37 - Hardwiring your doorbell 04:17 - How to read a lighting plan 04:48 - Think about how you move through your home 05:20 - Two-way switches explained 06:17 - The "wear different hats" exercise 07:30 - Light switch placement at night 09:14 - Bedroom lighting pendants and bedside switches 11:02 - Bathroom lighting vanity placement and avoiding shadows 12:30 - Kitchen lighting benchtop illumination and balance 14:15 - Living and dining dimmers, zones and mood vs task lighting 16:00 - Alfresco and outdoor lighting 18:22 - Sensor lights outside security and street appeal 22:19 - Sensor lights inside sculleries, linen and storage 23:24 - How to save money on feature lighting Found the episode useful? Please follow & leave a comment. It really goes a long way to getting it to more people like you. Need design & building advice? Find out more on our IBA website www.independentbuildingadvice.com.au Want more home building episodes? Visit our YouTube or website https://independentbuildingadvice.com... Follow us on socials: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Disclaimer: The information discussed in this episode is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, site conditions, budget, or local council requirements. Building, design, investment, and rental outcomes vary significantly depending on individual factors. We recommend seeking personalised professional advice before making decisions related to property, construction, or finance.