Ethernet option in new houses

I was browsing bidb and noticed that Hyperoptic have been deploying in Corbridge, Northumberland, a few miles away. It turns out that they are present on an estate of new houses - probably a hundred or so. So, out of idle curiosity, I looked at the builders' websites to see if the houses were being built with any kind of provision for Ethernet cabling, either as standard or as an option. I assumed that it would be possible to bung the builders some money for them to run some cabling or ducting.

I was surprised to see that none of the three builders on the site offered anything, either as standard or as an option. Buyers can choose between a dozen different kitchen taps but nothing for network cabling. I find this odd. Is it really still uncommon for basic network infrasructure to be available in new builds?

Unfortunately you have to either DIY it or employ the services of a decent data communcations specialist. Even sparks aren't particularly brilliant for it tbh.

The typical scenario I've seen project-built homes here is some tatty bit of Cat5e hauled in (that the spark got for a tenner at the wholesaler) , with cheap, usually unknown manufacturer outlets (let alone matching 'system' manufacturer) maybe MK Logic Plus if you're real lucky.

It's just so down on their list on considerations and priorities. I think garden irrigation probably gets more of a look in!

My 2018 new-build has network cabling, six ports in total presented to a patch panel in the understairs cupboard next to the ONT. This allowed me to install three wifi access points in optimal locations with Ethernet backhaul for perfect coverage at relatively low power and leave wifi disabled on the router.

The builder (Croudace) did this as standard, with the number of ports proportional to the size of the house.

The Openreach new build guide recommends structured cabling and siting the ONT/router in a cupboard, but lots of house builders couldn't care less and don't bother.

My neighbours had a major extension built and when they were planning it I put a couple of suggestions to them: get network cabling installed, so at a minimum WAPs could be installed; have alarm cabling installed.

Their builder and his electrician persuaded them it was a "waste of money" ... an extra £500 in a total bill of £250k! Neither of tehm are technically minded. So nothing was done. I could have wired for both in under a day including fitting network points and a patch panel.

That is the attitude of builders ... save pennies and cost the buyers lot of pounds later.

They have now asked me for help - throughput from their ISP router and WAP is abyssmal and coverage poor. A couple of temporary fixes so far and I'll tackle the rest soon.

They had an alarm installed - mainly wireless which was probably well over £250 more on sensors, plus £80/year on batteries and fitting. Then the cost for basic wiring - if they used network engineeer/installer it will be well over £1000 although my charges may be a little less

In reply to a post by DougM:

My 2018 new-build has network cabling, six ports in total presented to a patch panel in the understairs cupboard next to the ONT. This allowed me to install three wifi access points in optimal locations with Ethernet backhaul for perfect coverage at relatively low power and leave wifi disabled on the router.

The builder (Croudace) did this as standard, with the number of ports proportional to the size of the house.

Yours is the exception that proves the rule I’m afraid.

Even in new builds where some network cabling has been provided at build stage, it is commonly fitted by the electrician, who seem not too bothered if it works after.
I suspect that if it has been fitted, then this would require the work being guaranteed for a certain period, and that’s a hassle they can do without.

My new build had nothing. I used external cat 6 for all rooms and ran everything back to the garage which is attached and installed my own patch panel/switch along with my opnsense router. Not long ago openreach installed fttp and put the ont in the garage without any issues.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

In reply to a post by DougM:

My 2018 new-build has network cabling, six ports in total presented to a patch panel in the understairs cupboard next to the ONT. This allowed me to install three wifi access points in optimal locations with Ethernet backhaul for perfect coverage at relatively low power and leave wifi disabled on the router.

The builder (Croudace) did this as standard, with the number of ports proportional to the size of the house.

Yours is the exception that proves the rule I’m afraid.

Even in new builds where some network cabling has been provided at build stage, it is commonly fitted by the electrician, who seem not too bothered if it works after.
I suspect that if it has been fitted, then this would require the work being guaranteed for a certain period, and that’s a hassle they can do without.

My son moved into a Croudace flat 5 years ago. There were indeed ethernet tie lines between the cupboard the Openreach ONT was in, and his living room and bedroom. I don't think a single line worked. I had to either punch down properly, and correct crossed/incorrect pairs. One line simply didn't work at all,

He's moving into another Croudace property around the corner soon (fingers crossed) I suspect I'll have to visit with my Krone tool and CAT checker !

My son moved into a Croudace flat 5 years ago. There were indeed ethernet tie lines between the cupboard the Openreach ONT was in, and his living room and bedroom. I don't think a single line worked. I had to either punch down properly, and correct crossed/incorrect pairs. One line simply didn't work at all,

A fine example.

Telecoms and data cabling/faulting are perceived as ‘easy’ by builders, sparks, etc.
Yet I have quarter of a century’s experience of turning up to faults where the customer says ‘it worked till the builder did this’ or ‘till the sparks did that’

When queried I usually reply ‘ well you wouldn’t ask me to do your electrics would you ?’

If I was buying a new build I would probably be happy with just have ducting available in a wall space to run cables between floors, to faceplates and up to the loft.
As mentioned, you currently cannot trust the building firms to install and terminate cables to a suitable standard unfortunately.