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How many power points should a new home have in total?

There is no single correct number, but a typical four-bedroom Australian home often benefits from 40–60+ power points across all rooms when modern living is taken into account. Standard builder allocations are usually much lower — often 1–2 per room — which is why most buyers add upgrades at the electrical appointment.

Can I add power points after the build?

Yes, but it is significantly more expensive. Adding a power point after handover requires cutting into finished plaster, running new cabling, patching and repainting. Planning the right number of power points during the build is far more cost-effective.

Should I choose single or double power points?

Double power points are generally better value where space allows. The cost difference between a single and a double is often small, and a double outlet effectively gives you two points in the space of one. This is one of the most commonly recommended upgrades.

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Lighting, Electrical & Power

How Many Power Points Does a New Home Need?

Room-by-room recommendations based on modern living — because standard allocations are rarely enough, and adding points later is far more expensive.

6 min read·Compare My Build — Independent Resource· Updated July 2026

Cost estimates only: Any building or upgrade figures in this guide are indicative, not fixed prices or quotes. Costs and inclusions vary by project, supplier, location and time. Confirm current written prices and specifications directly with your builder, suppliers and relevant trades.

Key Takeaways

Standard builder power point allocations are rarely enough for modern households.
A typical four-bedroom home often benefits from 40–60+ power points across all rooms.
Kitchens and studies are the rooms most commonly underestimated.
Double power points are usually better value than singles where space allows.
Adding power points after the build is several times more expensive than during construction.

Why Standard Allocations Fall Short

Standard builder inclusions typically allocate a minimum number of power points per room — often just one or two. This meets the building code but rarely matches how a household actually lives. Modern homes are filled with devices, appliances and charging needs that didn't exist a decade ago, and a minimal allocation quickly becomes frustrating after move-in.

The most cost-effective time to get the number right is during the build. After handover, adding power points requires cutting into finished walls, running new cabling, and patching and repainting — at several times the cost of installing them during construction.

Room-by-Room Recommendations

The following recommendations are general guidance based on modern living. Actual needs vary by household, and the right number depends on how each room will be used. Costs vary between builders, regions and specifications.

Power Point Recommendations by Room

Room	Suggested	Common Uses
Kitchen	8–12+	Bench appliances, coffee station, under-cabinet, island, fridge, dishwasher, microwave, rangehood
Living	6–8	TV, soundbar, gaming, lamps, charging, smart speaker, side-table devices
Bedrooms	4–6 each	Bedside charging on both sides, desk/study, lamp, fan, window-side
Study / Home Office	6–8	Desktop, monitor, charger, printer, router, lamp, desk power
Garage	4–6+	Fridge/freezer, workshop, tools, EV charger circuit, ceiling outlet
Laundry	4–5	Washer, dryer, iron, spare, under-bench
Outdoor / Alfresco	3–5	BBQ, fridge, heaters, lighting, entertainment, garden tools
Walk-in Pantry	2–3	Small appliances, charging, vacuum dock, additional fridge
Media Room	6–8	Projector, speakers, amplifier, console, streaming, seating outlets

General guidance only. Actual needs vary by household and lifestyle. Confirm standard allocations and upgrade pricing with your builder.

Kitchen

The kitchen is consistently the room where buyers underestimate their power point needs. Bench appliances (toaster, kettle, blender, coffee machine), under-cabinet outlets, island power, and dedicated circuits for the fridge, dishwasher, microwave and rangehood all add up. A modern kitchen often benefits from 8–12 or more power points.

Living Areas

Living rooms cluster devices around the TV and seating areas — television, soundbar, gaming console, streaming devices, lamps, smart speakers and phone charging. Planning outlets at both the media wall and seating positions avoids trailing extension leads.

Bedrooms

Each bedroom benefits from power points on both sides of the bed for charging, plus additional outlets for a desk, lamp, ceiling fan and window-side use. Four to six points per bedroom is a practical starting point for modern living.

Study and Home Office

With more households working from home, the study needs a generous allocation: desktop or laptop, monitor, printer, router, charger, desk lamp and other peripherals. Six to eight outlets is a reasonable baseline.

Garage, Laundry, Outdoor and Pantry

These utility spaces are frequently overlooked. A garage may need power for a fridge or freezer, workshop tools, and a future EV charger circuit. The laundry needs outlets for the washer, dryer and iron. Outdoor and alfresco areas benefit from power for BBQs, heaters, entertainment and garden tools. A walk-in pantry often needs outlets for small appliances and a vacuum dock.

Media Room

A dedicated media room may need outlets for a projector, speakers, amplifier, console, streaming devices and seating positions. Planning these during the build avoids the mess of retrofitted cabling later.

Tip

When planning power points, think about where furniture will sit — not just where the walls are. A power point behind a bedside table, a desk, or a TV unit is far more useful than one in the middle of a wall.

Where Should You Put Extra Power Points?

Commonly forgotten locations that catch buyers out after move-in.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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All recommendations are general guidance based on modern living. Actual needs vary by household, and costs vary between builders, regions and specifications. Always confirm details with your builder.