Home network wiring: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What home network wiring is

Home network wiring runs Ethernet cable through walls, attics or crawl spaces to outlets in each room, terminates the jacks and patch panel, and tests every run so devices get a stable wired connection. People hire it when Wi-Fi is weak in key rooms, when they want a fast wired link for a desk or a TV, or when they are building a home office or a media room.

Signs you need it

  • Wi-Fi drops or slows in the rooms where you work, stream or game
  • You want a wired connection for a TV, a game console or a work computer that cannot move
  • You are building or finishing a home office, and want jacks at each workstation
  • You want one wiring point where all the network cables come together
  • Your current cables are old, loose, too short or run across the floor

What the pro does

  • Plan the cable runs from each room to the network closet or panel, avoiding power wires and heat sources
  • Pull the cable through walls, attics or crawl spaces using fish tape, pull string or conduit
  • Terminate the cable at each wall outlet, using the jack and faceplate that match the cable type
  • Terminate the other end on the patch panel, and label each run at both ends
  • Test every run for continuity, wiremap and speed, and record the results
  • Show the owner the patch panel, the switch connection and how to add a device to a wired port

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of runs, and the number of rooms and outlets that need cable
  • Cable type and category, and whether a higher-grade cable is needed for longer or faster runs
  • Access to walls, attics and crawl spaces, and how much finished surface must be opened
  • Length of each run and the route through the building
  • Whether conduit or a fire-rated penetration is needed where cable passes through walls
  • Patch panel, network closet, switch and rack needs
  • Whether a new power outlet is needed at the network closet, which often calls for a licensed electrician

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number of runs, the cable type and the approximate length of each one
  • Jacks, faceplates, patch panel and any rack or wall mount, listed by quantity
  • Termination and labeling as a separate line
  • Testing of every run, with the test report included
  • Wall or ceiling repair listed separately, with the finish method named
  • Warranty on the cable, the terminations and the labor

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What cable category will you use, and why for my network speed?
  • Which rooms will get outlets, and where will the patch panel go?
  • How do you route the cable away from power wires?
  • How do you test each run, and will I get the test results?
  • Who repairs the walls and ceiling after the cable is run?
  • Who sets up the network closet power, if a new outlet is needed?
  • What warranty covers the cable, the terminations and the labor?

Red flags

  • They run cable beside power wires or through heat sources without a plan
  • They terminate cable without testing each run
  • They kink, pinch or over-tighten the cable at bends
  • They leave the patch panel unlabeled
  • They skip the fire-rated sealing where cable passes through a fire-rated wall

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can plan the room list and the outlet locations, label the existing cables, and run cable in an open, accessible area such as an unfinished basement or a visible attic path with no power cables nearby. Do not open finished walls, run cable through a fire-rated wall, or connect a new outlet or the network closet power yourself, because those tasks need a licensed trade where required. Call a pro for in-wall runs, termination and testing.

Licenses and permits

Low-voltage data cabling often does not need a separate license, but any new outlet or power connection at the network closet often requires a licensed electrician, and some areas require permits for opening walls. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building office for the rules that apply.

Home network wiring questions

Is wired Ethernet better than Wi-Fi?

A wired connection is steadier and usually faster for devices that do not move, such as TVs, game consoles and work computers. Wi-Fi is better for phones and tablets. Ask the installer to recommend a mix for your home.

Which cable category should I use?

Ask the installer which category matches your internet speed and the length of your runs. A higher category costs more but gives more headroom for faster networks.

Why does my wired connection drop?

Common causes include a poor termination, a cable run near power wires, a damaged cable, or a loose jack. The installer should test each run and check the terminations before you blame the network.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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