The New Home Lighting & Electrical Appointment Explained

What the Appointment Involves

The lighting and electrical appointment is a structured meeting with your builder's electrical selector or consultant. Together, you work through your floor plan room by room and confirm the position, type and quantity of every electrical fitting in the home — power points, light fittings, switches, dimmers, data points, TV points, ceiling fans, appliance circuits, outdoor power, and any future-proofing such as EV charging or solar readiness.

The selector typically presents the builder's standard inclusions first, then walks through upgrade options. Each addition or change is priced and recorded. At the end of the appointment, the total forms part of your contract price — so the decisions made in this single session can have a significant impact on your final build cost.

When It Usually Occurs

Most builders schedule the electrical appointment after the building contract is signed and the floor plan has been finalised, but before construction reaches frame stage. This timing allows the electrical layout to be documented and wired before walls are closed. Some builders combine it with the colour selection appointment; others run it as a separate session.

Because the appointment often takes place after you've committed to the build, it is important to understand what's included as standard before signing — so you can anticipate which upgrades you're likely to need and budget accordingly.

Common Decisions You'll Make

During the appointment, you'll typically be asked to decide on:

• Power points — how many per room, single vs double, and USB-integrated outlets
• Lighting — downlights vs batten holders, the number of lights per room, and feature lighting such as pendants
• Switches — standard toggles vs dimmers, and two-way switching for hallways and living areas
• Data and TV points — where you need Ethernet, TV antenna outlets and a network cabinet
• Ceiling fans — which rooms, and whether wiring is included for future installation
• Outdoor power — alfresco, garage, garden and security lighting circuits
• Appliance circuits — dedicated circuits for ovens, air conditioning, dishwashers and pool equipment
• Future-proofing — EV charger wiring, solar conduit, switchboard capacity and smart home infrastructure

How to Prepare

Preparation is the single biggest factor in how well the appointment goes. Buyers who arrive with a room-by-room plan consistently make better decisions than those who try to work it out on the day.

• Print your floor plan and mark where furniture, beds and appliances will sit
• Count power points per room based on how you actually live — not the minimum
• Note where you'll want feature lighting, such as over a kitchen island or dining table
• List appliances that need dedicated circuits (oven, ducted air conditioning, etc.)
• Think about future needs — EV charging, solar, battery storage, smart home
• Bring a checklist so nothing is forgotten under time pressure

Typical Upgrade Categories

Most builders group electrical upgrades into categories. Understanding these in advance helps you anticipate what will be offered and prioritise your budget. Typical categories include:

Categories and inclusions vary between builders. Confirm what's standard with your builder.

Questions to Ask

Common Mistakes Buyers Make

• Relying on the standard allowance — minimum power points per room are rarely enough for modern living
• Forgetting outdoor and garage power — these are frequently overlooked and expensive to add later
• Not planning for future EV or solar — pre-wiring during the build is far cheaper than retrofitting
• Underestimating lighting — a poor lighting layout can't easily be changed after plaster
• Not bringing a floor plan — deciding positions without a plan leads to regretted placements

Frequently Asked Questions

All information is independently compiled as a general guide. Costs and inclusions vary between builders, regions and specifications. Always confirm details directly with your builder before signing.