I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve gotta say, I lean the other way on future-proofing—especially with old houses. I’ve been burned before thinking “I’ll never need more outlets here,” and then a few years later, I’m cursing myself for not running that extra line when the walls were already open. It’s a pain to patch plaster, sure, but sometimes a little extra work up front saves a ton of hassle down the road. I try to find a balance, but I’d rather have a couple unused wires than regret not putting them in.
Honestly, I get the urge to run extra wires “just in case,” but have you ever tried fishing new lines through 100-year-old lath and plaster after the fact? It’s like a game of Operation, except the patient is your entire house. I guess my hesitation is, where do you draw the line? If I future-proof every wall, I’ll end up with a spaghetti factory behind my plaster. Sometimes I just cross my fingers and hope my future self forgives me...
- Totally get the “just in case” urge, but I’m already overwhelmed just thinking about what’s behind my walls.
- I tried running a single ethernet cable last month—took me three hours and a lot of swearing.
- At some point, I just have to accept I can’t predict every future gadget or need. Otherwise, I’ll never finish anything.
At some point, I just have to accept I can’t predict every future gadget or need. Otherwise, I’ll never finish anything.
I get where you're coming from, but sometimes a little planning ahead can save a lot of headaches (and cash) down the road. I used to think the same—just get the basics in and call it good. But then I ended up tearing out drywall two years later to add wiring for a mini-split in the garage. That was not cheap, and definitely not fun.
If you’re already overwhelmed, maybe just run a conduit or two while you’ve got things open. Doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, and you don’t even have to fill it with wires right now. Just having the pathway in place makes future upgrades way less painful. It’s kind of the “budget” version of future-proofing.
That said, I wouldn’t try to anticipate every possible gadget either. Just cover what seems likely—extra outlets, maybe a data line, that sort of thing. No need to go overboard unless you’re planning on turning the garage into a spaceship someday.
Honestly, I’ve been there—overthinking every possible future scenario just leads to decision paralysis. But I do agree, running a conduit is a game changer. I once skipped it in a rental property and, sure enough, the next tenant wanted an EV charger. Ended up costing way more than if I’d just spent a little extra upfront. It’s like insurance for your future self... but without the monthly bill.
