For the architect
17 notes
Get to know each other and make both sides' expectations clear before signing with the architect.
Apply to every item; restate them to the architect and contractor from the start.
Things to settle before construction starts.
Foundation, floors, walls, concrete, waterproofing.
Electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning, network — done before plastering and tiling.
Brainstorm all the positions that need power sockets; slightly more sockets - 2, 3 or 4 depending on the area; use universal sockets (fit every kind of plug). Heavily used areas (living room, kitchen, shared area...): better too many than too few - always have a socket ready when needed or when adding equipment.
Electrical designed around the family's usage habits and with spare reserve capacity for the future (kitchen and toilet appliances...) - buying more equipment does not mean re-running wires; heavily used areas (living room, kitchen, shared area...) get even more spare capacity.
Adding a floor later without breaking walls or running exposed wires: prepare electrical and water lines in advance for connecting.
Easy and safe electrical maintenance: a separate circuit breaker (CB / aptomat) for each room on the electrical panel; choose the right type of CB for each circuit.
Have 1 master switch for the whole house (e.g. when away): press it to cut all power, except the fridge, cameras and wifi / network. Besides the fridge, cameras and wifi - what other equipment should keep power when the master switch is off?
Each light bulb, fan and device on its own wiring: its own live wire + neutral wire, not sharing one neutral wire, not borrowing wires - when one line fails, only that line is repaired, easy to fix.
DC-motor ceiling fans, 2 of them: living room + kitchen - the architect advises on the style.
Electrical safety: the whole system is earthed (grounded); an earth wire accompanies every socket and device, including outdoors - devices do not leak current, no shocks.
Fridge and washing machine can be pushed in tight against the cabinet: sockets placed at the side, not behind.
Backup power during a power outage.
Cameras around and inside the house run stably, independent of wifi: each camera position has a power socket + network cable.
Smart home - especially important: alarm sensors, phone notifications... ensure security for the house, especially when away. Ready for automatic curtains and lights switched on/off through an app.
An EV charging spot (BYD or Geely) with a dedicated line, following the car maker's specifications.
The electrical panel and control boards do not spoil the look of the house.
Low sockets, within reach of children under 6: with a child safety lock.
Floors, walls, ceilings, doors, paint.
Kitchen, sanitary ware, built-in cabinets.
Loose furniture and lighting, done last inside the house.
Gate, yard, plants, irrigation.
Checks before taking over the house and after moving in.
