So, you’ve decided you need a “man cave.” What’s the first step?
Well, first figure out what you’ll need in your cave by working backwards from a list of “wants.”
Making a list of your man cave “wants” is important so you’re prepared when you call US Electric. This will make it easier for the technician to give you an accurate estimate. We’ll be glad to explain the process so you understand the risks and benefits. We see you not only as a client, but as a collaborating partner, especially on fun projects like these. We’ll be glad to explain why your options cost a certain amount and also do our very best to work with you on the price.
How to figure out what you’ll need?
We’re more than happy to figure that out for you, but here are some ideas:
If your main activity will be making furniture or fix-it projects for the house, you’ll need at least one outlet. What kind of tools will you need? If it’s just one table saw, you’re looking at a cheaper price than say a full woodshop. Are you going to work up a sweat making carpentry projects? Maybe you just want to chill out. If that’s in the literal sense, you’ll want an AC unit which will require more power.
If you plan on spending a lot of time in the evening and you envision kickin’ back with your buddies enjoying some cold beers, you’ll definitely need an overhead light and probably a mini-fridge.
Other logistics matter, too.
If you already have some wiring in place, that’s something you need to tell your technician because it’ll cut down your cost. It’ll also give us an idea of our involvement in the project.
Wiring:
Some things to think about when wiring your man cave:
- Do you have wiring in place already?
- What gauge is the electrical wiring? Will it withstand the voltage you need?
- Is the wiring in good condition?
- Is it long enough to reach the wiring areas?
- Do you want the wiring in conduit or direct burial?
- Do you have any structures around the house like a deck?
These are all things we can guide you through when planning your man cave. Keep in mind – if your existing wiring is old or isn’t heavy enough to sustain the power for all of your gadgets, it won’t work.
Conduit or Direct Burial?
Deciding whether you want the wiring in conduit or direct burial is an important decision. Direct burial will save you money, but sometimes there are instances when you need conduit wiring. For example, if you have a deck on the back of your house, you’ll need the surrounding area in conduit to prevent damage. (When it’s underground, it’s shielded by the earth.) There has also been a change in code in the past 6 years that requires bracing in between wiring in this case. So, you can see that all of these details need to be discussed before beginning the project.
Also, measuring the distance from your shed to your house or the location of the power source is a good idea so your technician can give you a more accurate price and can plan better for your project.
Which brings us to…THE TRENCH.
If you opt for direct burial, you’ll need a trench. Someone has to dig the trench and it’ll cost less if you take on that part yourself. But do you really want to get into that kind of back-breaking work? That’s up to you, but just know that you can rent a ditch digger tool at Home Depot. When it comes down to your final budget, you have to decide if your time is worth saving a few dollars. And there is a cost for renting the tool. Some people have the time and some people are too busy to sacrifice their already scarce time. Consulting with your technician about cost will help you make a final decision.
Usually, the trench needs to be at least 18 inches underground. If you decide to dig the trench yourself, it’s a good idea to consult with your technician about the logistics. Knowing exactly where it needs to go will save you the grief of having to re-dig.
Do you need an electrical panel in your man cave?
Usually a panel in the man cave is a good idea. How many things will you possibly plug in at one time? You need to decide on paneling size. US Electric can definitely help you out with that when you call.
Lights: To Hard-Wire or Not to Hard-Wire
Are you hard-wiring the lights? Or do you just want a couple of hanging lights and don’t want to make a big fuss about it?
To help you decide, think about your uses for the space and the overall vibe in your cave:
Do your get-togethers have more of a Mad Men vibe that involves playing poker and smoking cigars? (Maybe think about hard-wiring.)
Or is your crowd more the laid-back drinking PBR type? Is it just going to be you, by yourself, working away happily on your home improvement projects? (Hanging lights will probably be alright.)
Do you want to watch the game?
(You’ll need bandwidth for a TV- go back to wiring.)
Other factors to think about:
What kind of lights do you want? Do you want halogen or fluorescent?
Is this a multi-purpose space?
If you think this building might be used in the future for birthday parties or other celebrations, you might want to rethink your needs. You might need a place to plug in string lights or a place to store a cake. Every “man cave” is unique, so think about all the possibilities.
Take a Load Off
In some cases, we can make relatively accurate estimates over the phone, but if there are a lot of questions about provisions, we’ll probably need to take a look at your space. We strive to make the process easy and your estimate as economical and accurate as possible. Give us a call at 804.353.4928 for a free estimate!