Electrical Switches
The information provided is from our experience in building. Know what your local codes are for electrical.

For a custom home you need to spend much time with your contractor in deciding where to place switches. Placement was a much bigger decision than I had anticipated. In a custom-built house, you may have the opportunity to decide placement after framing is complete. For instance, walking through the house and deciding where placement would be more practical. After careful consideration there were areas that we didn’t think through. For instance, near the door to the garage the area between the doors were filled in with studs and there was no room for a switch. This had to be cut out for a switch to be installed.  Another issue, we placed the switch to the stairway inside the stairwell. You must open the door to turn the light on. This is not as convenient as if the switch was on the outside of the stairwell.  As stated before it is a good idea to have plans drawn with electrical included in the blue prints. These hiccups can be avoided.

In deciding on switches, style and function are important. Style of switches are flip or rocker. Rocker are a little more expensive, but it is minimal and well worth the cost. We chose rocker because they are much easier to use than the older flip switches. There are several types of dimmer switches, and several areas where a dimmer switch will be beneficial. There are areas that you will need three-way and four-way switches such as halls, stairs, and entrances. Here again, who came up with the name three-way and four-way. Three-way switches are from two different locations and four-way are from three different locations. I learned it is the wiring that dictates the name, but it still doesn’t seem to be named correctly. Consider stacked switches where space is an issue.

Doors – Be aware of the way doors will open to ensure there is no switch behind doors or in pocket doors. Think through the entrances to your home to make sure the switch is correctly placed. Double doors and side lights may affect switch placement. Check door openings going into bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, etc. to ensure there is a convenient place for a switch in opening the door.

Bathrooms – In bathrooms think about how many and what kind of switches you will need. For instance, there may be a switch for sconces, an overhead light, a light in the shower, an exhaust fan, all of these may be on a different switch. How are you going to know which switch goes to what, especially in a guest bathroom where guest will not be familiar with the placement? We had the switch for the exhaust fan on a different wall than the light switch. This has been convenient and practical for us. However, our electrician wanted to place the switch for a ceiling fan on a random wall to distinguish the switch from the light switch. I did not go for that. It looked too random. Also, I knew we would possible be the only ones using that switch and we would learn which switch was to fan and light. In the bath, be sure to include a light in the linen closet and make sure the switch is convenient.

Fireplace – We placed a switch near the fire place for the gas logs which we later regretted because we got logs with a remote. We replaced the switch panel with a blank, however it is still there for you to see. That may be something to consider for resale but believe me the resale will be with the next generation. We are here to stay.

Kitchen – In the kitchen there may be switches for a light over the sink, lights over the counter, lights over the island, a garbage disposal, overhead lights, can lights, etc. Carefully consider the placement of these switches. You may need three way in the kitchen where there are multiple entrances. We placed switches to the light over the sink and over the counter in a separate area. Just be careful that there are not too many switches in one location. Also, there may be a light switch for the pantry. In a previous house we had the light to the pantry on a switch where the light came on when you opened the door, this was convenient.