Designing Your Electrical Layout: Making Your Home Work for You

When you’re building a custom home with Buffum Homes, every detail matters—and one of the most important pieces of the puzzle is your electrical layout. It’s not just about meeting code—it’s about building a home that truly works for your lifestyle, routines, and future plans.

What’s Included in the Standard Package?

Each Buffum home begins with a standard electrical package that includes all the essentials required to meet code and serve your home’s layout effectively. This includes:

◦ Standard outlets and switches throughout the home
◦ Lighting in key areas
◦ Smoke detectors and ventilation wiring
◦ Prewiring for standard appliances
◦ Fan/light wiring in select rooms

This package covers all the basics, but when you’re doing a custom build, you get the opportunity to go beyond—and that’s where things get exciting.

The Rough-In Walkthrough: Let’s Get Creative

Once your home is framed and ready, we’ll schedule a rough-in electrical walkthrough. You’ll meet onsite with your Buffum Homes Project Manager and our licensed electrician to walk through every room and map out your ideal setup.

This is your chance to think about where you want switches, outlets, lighting, and special features. You’re not just planning for today—you’re planning for how you’ll live in your home for years to come.

Smart and Practical Ideas to Consider

Let’s start with the essentials. Here are some things to think about before your walkthrough:

◦ Extra outlets where you’ll charge phones or plug in laptops
◦ Ceiling fan wiring in bedrooms, living rooms, or patios
◦ Recessed lighting for clean, modern ceilings
◦ Additional light switches in convenient locations (like both ends of a hallway)
◦ Under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen for style and function
◦ TV wall outlets and hidden cord preps
◦ Dedicated outlets for a deep freezer or beverage fridge
◦ Outdoor outlets on every side of the home for landscaping and holiday lights
◦ Generator hookup for peace of mind
◦ EV charger setup in the garage

Fun & Future-Ready Ideas to Inspire You

Want to take your layout to the next level? Here are some creative and fun electrical upgrades that many homeowners wish they had thought of sooner:

◦ Heated towel bar wiring in the primary bath
◦ Floor outlet in the living room for lamps or charging stations
◦ Charging drawer in the kitchen or mudroom to hide devices while they power up
◦ Night light outlets in hallways and kids’ bathrooms
◦ Backlit mirrors in bathrooms for that spa-like vibe
◦ Sound system prewiring for whole-home or outdoor audio
◦ Holiday lighting switch to control all your exterior lights from one place
◦ Garage fridge outlet (because you’ll want that extra drink space during parties)
◦ Smart switches and dimmers for mood lighting or automation
◦ Hardwired pest control system—yes, that’s a thing!
◦ Basement movie theater wiring for projectors and surround sound
◦ Back patio ceiling fan or infrared heater wiring for year-round comfort

Think of your hobbies, your family, and the things that make you smile—your home should support them all.

Flexible Budgeting, No Surprises

We keep the process simple and transparent. Your build comes with a preset allowance for electrical selections. If your choices stay within that allowance—great! If you decide to add extras, you’ll only pay the difference. And if you come in under budget? We credit it right back to you.

Plan with Your Future in Mind

This is one of the most important moments in your custom build journey. Once the drywall goes up, the layout is locked in—so take your time during the walkthrough and really think about how you’ll live in your home.

Whether it’s prepping for an outdoor movie night, charging stations in every room, or just a better spot for your coffee bar, we’re here to make sure your home is as convenient and comfortable as possible.

Your home should work for you—not the other way around.
We’re proud to help you create a space that’s functional, future-ready, and full of thoughtful details.

Have ideas already? Make a list and bring it to your walkthrough—we can’t wait to hear them.

Image below is from the Nelson Plan.