Why light your home at the build stage?

Planning lighting early in the home build process saves time, money and hassle. Let’s explore why early decisions matter - helping you avoid costly changes, enhance functionality, and achieve a seamless lighting design that works from day one.

Plan ahead so your lights are exactly where you need them. Image courtesy of Webb and Brown-Neaves.

Why light your home at the build stage? 

Building a new home is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. With so many decisions to make (and bills to be paid), it’s tempting to put off certain choices, especially lighting. But delaying your lighting plan often leads to more stress, higher costs and a less-than-ideal result. We see it all the time!

Lighting isn’t just an afterthought - it’s a fundamental part of how your home looks and functions. You’re investing so much in your build, so why risk poor illumination diminishing the final result? A well-designed lighting plan starts early. A designer or lighting consultant maps out the layout based on your goals and how you’ll use the space. This plan is then handed to the builder and electrician, who will install the necessary wiring, switches and structural supports before plastering begins. Without it? You might end up with missing switches, misplaced wiring, or inadequate support for the statement lighting you’ve been dreaming of.

Here’s what you need to know about lighting your home at the build stage, so you can make informed decisions.

Lighting mistakes to avoid in a new home build

"We don't know what we want"

Not exactly sure what you want yet? That’s okay! The key is making room for future flexibility. Some fixtures, like heavy pendants, require structural support before plastering, and small oversights (like a beam blocking a planned light) can lead to unexpected costs. By planning ahead, you avoid the frustration of compromises or modifications that could impact warranties. If you’re holding off on certain fixtures for budget reasons, it’s still a good idea to share your long-term goals. Your lighting consultant can highlight areas where early preparation might help - like provisional wiring or support. However, without a confirmed product, only limited allowances can be made. Your electrician may need to make additional adjustments later on. 

Knowing where surfaces will go means lights can be positioned perfectly centre. Image left to right: Mediterrania S52, 83 Faraday St.

"We haven't thought about furniture yet"

 Your home is designed around your lifestyle, and your lighting should be, too. Without a sense of how you’ll use your space, lighting can end up feeling generic, rather than tailored to your needs. Walking into a lighting consultation with a rough idea of your furniture layout allows for a more thoughtful design. For example:

  • Knowing where your dining table will go helps position pendants perfectly centre. 
  •  Planning sofa placement means that downlights can be avoided directly above it. This will prevent glare in your eyes as you relax in your new living space.
  • Factoring in bed size early allows for integrated bedside lighting, like wall lamps or pendants.
  • If you have artwork or family photos you’d like to hang, deciding which wall they’ll go on will mean you can plan lighting to show them off.

"Just put a batten in"

It’s tempting to keep things simple and install a standard batten fitting, thinking you’ll upgrade later. But retrofitting lighting isn’t always as straightforward as it seems. Want a linear pendant over your island bench? If the right wiring wasn’t planned, adding it later could mean cutting through plaster, rerouting cables and repainting ceilings. Ouch. Planning your lighting at the build stage ensures your home is move-in ready, with the right fixtures in the right places from day one. 

Build the bedroom of your dreams with integrated lighting. Image left to right: Atwood wall lamp, Bailey 200 pendants for Homebuyers Centre.

Budget concerns: The cost of late lighting decisions 

When you build your new home, an electrician will install all the wiring and structural support for your lighting before the plasterer goes in. Changes made after this process can come with a hefty price tag to cover the costs of getting these professionals back on site. Once plastering is complete, adding or relocating lighting fixtures often means cutting into ceilings and walls, which leads to additional costs for replastering and repainting. In multi-storey homes, accessing wiring might require lifting flooring on the upper level, creating an even bigger (and more expensive) task.

Structural modifications can also be costly if left too late. If you decide to install a statement chandelier but haven’t accounted for the weight, you may need to reinforce the ceiling - something that’s simple during the framing stage but complicated and expensive once construction is further along or complete. The same goes for recessed lighting or feature lighting that requires hidden wiring or additional supports. By considering your lighting plan from the very beginning, you can avoid these messy, time-consuming and costly alterations - ensuring your home is both beautifully lit and stays on budget.

Stay on budget by ensuring your lighting is completed before plaster goes up. Image left to right: Hunter pendant and Perri 13W lights for Dale Alcock Homes, Perri 7W for 83 Faraday St.

How to design a lighting plan for your new home

To ensure your lighting is well-designed, start by consulting a lighting expert early in the process. They’ll help you create a plan tailored to how each space will be used. For example, multi-purpose areas may need extra layers of lighting for flexibility, while bedrooms usually benefit from soft, ambient lighting. Track lighting is a great solution for spaces that may need adjustments after the build stage. It offers versatility, allowing you to add or reposition lights as needed. With directional fittings, you can fine-tune the lighting to reduce glare or highlight key areas. For example, if reflections on the TV become distracting, simply adjust the angle of the light. Dimmers are another valuable addition, giving you control over light intensity. In spaces like bedrooms and living rooms, dimmable lighting allows you to set the perfect mood.

By planning your lighting at the build stage, you’ll avoid costly adjustments down the track and ensure your home is beautifully and thoughtfully illuminated from day one. Need help? Call us on 1300 LIGHTS to get started.

Back to Blog