Network and Cable wiring for a flip - Will it add value?

Question

Hello all,

I'm in the beginning phase of renovating a house for resale. One of the things I had been talking with my partner about was wiring the house for Cat 5e and Cable. I figured I should do it while we have access. It currently has cable and phone running all along the baseboards. I'm just trying to get the details figured out a little bit and wonder if I'm over thinking it.

The house is a 3 bedroom bungalow, with an apartment downstairs with 3 bedrooms. I'm planning for cable and Cat 5e for each bedroom and the living room. I was thinking of maybe putting two locations in the living room to give the most choice. That got me thinking about TV's mounted on the wall and do I assume where the TV should go and run the wires to that spot, or just put them a foot up from the baseboard like normal.

Kind of related, should I install conduit to the attic for future upgrades? I'm planning to do the current wiring from the basement ceiling up.

This is my first flip, my partner has done a few (over 10). I should mention I do communication wiring as a day job so I can do this for my time and materials. Thats the advantage, but doing it for a job my be clouding how a buyer will look at it value wise. Personally I would want a house I'm buying to be wired from the start.

Thanks for your replies.

Murdock

Murdock Smith · Answer

Thanks for those samples they look great. You've now sent me down a rabbit hole of kitchen cabinets.

Matt Gragg · Answer

@Murdock Smith A lot of people do what they would like.... But, if your not going to live there, chances are you won't recover the cost for doing the extras.

Just like putting on $30 door knobs on all the doors when the house will sell for the same price with $10 ones. It is not really necessary. There are a lot of places to invest the money if you have extra to spend....

The new owners will add the cable, phone, cat5 etc if they want it and have it installed exactly where they want it too.

Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses....

Here are some pictures..........

As you can see by the pictures, different areas require different styles for remodel.

Murdock Smith · Answer

Thanks @Matt Gragg. I was thinking I was probably putting my own wants into it and wasn't sure if it was worth it.

Matt Gragg · Answer

@Murdock Smith We don't worry about cable, phone lines or cat 5 etc as most people are using wireless devices these days anyways. The cost of the materials and the damage to the house caused while installing it, isn't worth it in my opinion.

We always ask our self the question "Will it make me more money?" if the answer is no, we don't do it.

I don't believe we are going to lose a sale on a house because it doesn't have cable or phone lines etc.