Structured Wiring

So what's the big deal with structured wiring? It is just for tech-savvy people or is it worthwhile for everyone? How about the cost?

Structured wiring was originally used in commercial construction to integrate security, cable, and phone systems. As the cost of structured wiring systems has come down, it is becoming more and more common in residential homes. Installing a system like this during new home construction can also cost half as much as retrofitting it to an existing home.

Some of the systems that can be wired in this structured manner include phone, television, intercom, security, audio, computer networking, cameras, etc. Having these systems in a structured wiring configuration also allows for easy access via the structured wiring panel that they all can be wired into.

A structured wiring system typically consists of "home run wiring" which means that each cable is run from a source panel to its destination (ex: a bedroom) without connecting to another jack in a different room. This allows each cable to work independently and reduces interference. Additionally, this will allow for greater flexibility as to the purpose of that wire. For example, a cable used for a phone in a bedroom could be modified in the source panel to now be part of the home's computer network or an IP camera system. The cabling in structured wiring systems is typically: Category 5 or 5e for voice and data; RG6 coaxial cable for video. Fiber optic cable is also an option, but is expensive.

One benefit of structured wiring systems is that they give you more control over the wiring in your home, instead of giving that control to the phone or cable company. Those companies would just bring their outside wire to your source panel and the structured wiring system takes over from there getting the signal to the rest of the home. Also, some phone companies will charge an "inside wiring maintenance" fee on your bill which you can eliminate if you have structured wiring.


I encourage anyone building a new home to consider a structured wiring system at least for their phone, television, and networking. A basic system starts around $1,200 to $1,500 and goes up from there. I think the value it adds to your home will be worth the cost.

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What is a Footing?

Many people that build a custom home find that the process is also an education. There are so many choices to make and things to consider that you end up learning a great deal.


One of the unseen components of a new home, and one of the most important, is the "footings" which are a part of the home's foundation. Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary defines a footing as:

"an enlargement at the lower end of a foundation wall, pier, or column to distribute the load."

The most typical footing is made of concrete supported on undisturbed natural soils or engineered fill. This concrete footing's purpose is to support the slab, crawl space foundation, or basement walls that sit on top of it.



Footings are usually dug out of the ground with an excavator. The International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings specifies the minimum width and depth required based on the soil type and construction dwelling type.



Reinforcing bars (steel rods, also called rebar) are then placed inside the footing to reinforce the concrete.


Finally, concrete is poured into the excavated area.



Footings are so important in the construction of a new home, that both Richland and Lexington County require footing inspections before the concrete is poured to make sure that they are constructed properly.



At Master Plan Homes Inc., our footings exceed the minimum requirements for width and depth to ensure a solid foundation on which to build. If you have other questions relating to this post or about construction in general, contact us.

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