If you're building a new home or doing a major renovation, your TV antenna probably isn't the first thing on your mind.
But getting it right during the build is far easier and cheaper than retrofitting later. A bit of planning now means clean cable runs hidden inside walls, TV outlets exactly where you want them, and reliable reception from the day you move in.
📋 In This Guide You'll Learn
- ✅ Why planning your antenna during construction saves money
- ✅ When to involve your antenna installer in the build
- ✅ How many TV outlets you should plan for
Why Planning Ahead Matters
In an existing home, antenna cabling typically runs along the outside of the house or through the roof space, with cables visible where they enter rooms. It works, but it's not the neatest solution.
During a build or renovation, the walls are open. That means:
- →Cables can be run inside the wall cavities before the plasterboard goes up
- →TV outlet plates can be recessed flush into the wall exactly where your TV will hang
- →There are no visible cables anywhere
The cost of running cables during construction is also significantly lower because the walls are already open. Once the plasterboard is up and painted, running new cables means cutting access holes, fishing cables through cavities, and patching walls afterward.
When to Involve Your Antenna Installer
The ideal time to bring in your antenna installer is during the rough-in stage, that's after the frame is up and the roof is on, but before insulation and plasterboard are installed.
At this stage, your installer can:
- →Run coaxial cable from the antenna location on the roof to every room where you want a TV outlet
- →Install wall plates and junction boxes in the framing
- →Make sure cables are separated from power lines to avoid interference
- →Coordinate with your electrician on any power requirements for amplifiers
Good to Know
If you're working with a builder, let them know early that you'll need an antenna installation as part of the build. A dedicated antenna installer will typically provide a better result than a basic builder's package.
How Many TV Outlets Do You Need?
Think about every room where you might want a TV now or in the future:
- →Living room (primary TV)
- →Master bedroom
- →Kids' playroom or rumpus room
- →Outdoor entertaining area
- →Home office
- →Guest bedroom
Running cable to each of these locations during construction costs relatively little per outlet, the cable itself is inexpensive and the labour to pull it through open walls is minimal.
Our advice is to run cable to more locations than you think you'll need. Even if you don't install a TV outlet plate in every room immediately, having the cable in the wall means adding an outlet later is trivial.
Choosing the Right Antenna Location
Your builder and antenna installer need to agree on where the antenna will be mounted. The ideal location is:
- →The highest point of the roof with clear line of sight toward the broadcast tower
- →Away from any planned solar panel arrays
- →Accessible for future maintenance
- →Not obstructed by roof features like dormers or valleys
If you're installing solar panels, which most new Australian homes do, coordinate the antenna and solar panel layouts before installation. Solar panels and TV antennas need to coexist on the same roof.
Cable Specifications
Make sure your installer uses quad-shield RG6 coaxial cable for all TV cabling runs. This is the current Australian standard and provides the best shielding against interference from power cables, mobile signals, and other sources.
All cables should be run in conduit or through wall cavities with proper separation from power cables. The Australian wiring rules specify minimum separation distances between antenna cables and electrical wiring.
Multi-Storey Homes
If you're building a two-storey home, cable routing gets more complex. Cables need to travel from the roof space down through wall cavities to outlets on both levels.
Plan the cable routes during framing so that clear paths exist between floors. A central cable riser, a vertical cavity or conduit that runs from the roof space to the ground floor, makes future upgrades and maintenance much easier.
Smart Home Integration
If you're building a smart home with a home automation system, discuss your TV antenna setup with both your antenna installer and your automation integrator.
Some new homes use a central AV hub in the roof space or a dedicated cupboard where all signals, antenna, satellite, streaming, and network, are combined and distributed to every room. If this is something you're considering, planning it during the build is essential.
New Builds with Fibre (Opticomm, NBN)
Some new housing developments are connected to fibre networks like Opticomm that historically delivered free-to-air TV channels through the fibre connection. However, several fibre providers have announced they're discontinuing this free-to-air TV service.
Good to Know
If you're building in a fibre-connected estate, don't assume you won't need an antenna. Plan for one in your build so you're covered regardless of what happens with fibre-delivered TV services.
What to Ask Your Builder
Before construction starts, clarify these points:
- →Is an antenna installation included in the building contract, and if so, what does it cover?
- →How many TV outlets are included, and can you add more?
- →Will cables be run during rough-in, or will the antenna be installed after handover?
- →Who is responsible for the antenna installation, the builder's subcontractor or your own chosen installer?
The Bottom Line
A new build or major renovation is the perfect opportunity to get your TV antenna system done right from the start.
Plan early, run cables during rough-in, install more outlets than you think you need, and coordinate with your builder, electrician, and solar installer. The small additional effort during construction saves significant cost and hassle down the track.
FAQ: Antennas for New Homes and Renovations
Common questions about antenna installation during construction.