New Build WiFi Design in Melbourne – Why It Matters
There’s nothing worse than moving into a beautiful new home… only to discover the Wi-Fi barely reaches the upstairs bedroom.
We see it all the time across Melbourne — stunning new builds with double brick walls, concrete slabs, metal roofing and smart home devices everywhere… powered by a single ISP router sitting in the garage.
Recently, a client contacted us while building a new home. He wanted professional advice on where Wi-Fi access points should be installed, what equipment to use, and how to ensure strong, seamless coverage throughout the property.
That’s exactly the right time to ask.
If you’re building or renovating, here’s how to get your Wi-Fi right before the plaster goes on.
Why Most New Homes Still Have Poor Wi-Fi
The cheapest time to install proper networking is before the walls are closed.
Common issues we see:
- Concrete between floors (double storey builds)
- Double brick or insulated internal walls
- Foil-backed insulation
- Metal roofing
- NBN installed in the garage
- No structured cabling plan
Wi-Fi does not travel well through dense building materials. So when builders install a standard router in the garage and call it “done”, the result is predictable:
- Dead zones upstairs
- Dropouts in bedrooms
- Weak signal outdoors
- Smart TVs buffering
- Security cameras disconnecting
The problem isn’t your internet speed. It’s the network design.
Planning a New Build? Get Your Wi-Fi Design Reviewed Before the Plaster Goes On
If you’re building or renovating in Melbourne, now is the ideal time to review your floor plans and ensure your Wi-Fi coverage is designed properly from the start.
We’ll assess your plans and advise on:
• Access point placement
• Structured cabling requirements
• Equipment recommendations (UniFi or mesh options)
• Future-proofing for smart homes and home offices
Avoid costly retrofits and dead zones later.
👉 Send us your house plans for a professional Wi-Fi assessment
Why Planning Wi-Fi During Construction Saves Thousands
The cheapest time to install proper networking is before the walls are closed.
When we review house plans for new builds, we assess:
- Floor levels
- Wall materials
- Open plan vs segmented areas
- Outdoor entertaining zones
- Office locations
- Future smart home requirements
From there, we design:
- Ethernet cable runs (Cat6 minimum)
- Centralised data cabinet location
- Ceiling-mounted access point positions
- Outdoor coverage zones
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) provisioning
- Future CCTV and smart doorbell cabling
Running structured cabling during construction costs a fraction of retrofitting it later.
Once plaster is up, options become far more expensive and invasive.
Case Study: Designing a UniFi Network for a Melbourne New Build
We were recently contacted by a client building a double-storey home in Melbourne.
The Client’s Goals
- Seamless Wi-Fi across both floors
- Strong coverage in the backyard entertaining area
- Reliable connectivity for working from home
- Support for future smart home devices
- No visible bulky routers
Our Process
- Reviewed architectural plans
- Identified wall and floor materials
- Mapped high-usage areas
- Designed ceiling access point placements
- Specified Ethernet runs before plaster
Equipment Recommendation
For this home, we recommended a professionally installed system from Ubiquiti Inc. using the UniFi platform.
Why?
- Centralised management
- Seamless roaming between access points
- VLAN capability for security segmentation
- Guest Wi-Fi isolation
- Scalability for CCTV and future expansion
- Enterprise-grade reliability
UniFi systems are ideal for:
- Double-storey homes
- Larger floorplans
- Smart homes
- Home offices
- Small businesses operating from home
What About Mesh Systems Like TP-Link Deco?
Not every home requires a full UniFi deployment.
For smaller single-storey homes or budget-focused projects, systems like TP-Link Deco can be a suitable solution.
For larger builds or performance-focused Wi-Fi design, our team specialises in professional UniFi installations across Melbourne.
Mesh systems:
- Are easier to install
- Are more budget friendly
- Work well in open-plan layouts
- Require less advanced configuration
However, they typically lack:
- Advanced security segmentation
- VLAN support
- Business-grade management
- Fine-tuned roaming optimisation
- Structured cabling backbone
If you’re renovating a modest home and just need better coverage, mesh may be appropriate.
If you’re building a long-term property and want future-proof performance, a properly designed access point system is superior.
The key is selecting the right solution for your home — not just buying what’s on sale.
Where Should Wi-Fi Access Points Be Installed?
Correct placement is critical.
We typically recommend:
- Ceiling-mounted access points
- Positioned centrally in coverage zones
- One per floor minimum
- Hardwired via Ethernet (not wireless mesh backhaul)
- Outdoor-rated access point for backyard coverage
Avoid:
- Cupboards
- Garages
- Behind TVs
- Inside metal cabinets
Wi-Fi performs best when installed openly and strategically — not hidden.
Renovating? Here’s How to Fix Bad Wi-Fi Without Rebuilding
If you’re renovating and already have poor Wi-Fi, you still have options.
We can:
- Run cabling through roof cavities
- Install external conduit discreetly
- Replace ISP router setups
- Add wired access points
- Segment networks for security
- Improve coverage without major wall removal
Many homeowners assume upgrading their router will fix everything.
It rarely does.
The issue is almost always coverage design — not speed.
Should You DIY Your Wi-Fi Setup?
For small apartments, DIY mesh kits are often fine.
But in larger homes, DIY systems frequently result in:
- Overlapping interference
- Poor roaming
- Security misconfiguration
- Double NAT issues
- No separation between guest and private networks
- Limited troubleshooting visibility
Professional network design ensures:
- Proper channel allocation
- Seamless roaming tuning
- Secure segmentation
- Performance optimisation
- Future scalability
If your home is becoming a smart ecosystem, your network needs to be designed like infrastructure — not an afterthought.
Our Wi-Fi Design & Installation Process
When helping new builds and renovations, we provide:
- House plan review and assessment
- Coverage design mapping
- Equipment specification and sourcing
- Structured cabling coordination
- Professional installation
- Secure configuration and optimisation
- Ongoing support and monitoring
We don’t just install hardware.
We design reliable networks that support how you actually live and work.
As part of our professional wireless networking support services in Melbourne, we handle everything from design through to installation and optimisation.
Servicing Melbourne New Builds & Renovations
We work with homeowners and builders across Bayside Melbourne, including Cheltenham, Moorabbin, Bentleigh East, Elwood and St Kilda.
If you’re building or renovating anywhere in Melbourne, getting the network right early saves stress later.
Planning a New Build? Get Your Wi-Fi Assessed Before the Plaster Goes On
If you’re in the design or construction phase of a new home, now is the ideal time to review your networking plan.
Send us your floor plans and we’ll advise:
- Access point placement
- Cabling requirements
- Equipment recommendations
- Budget options
- Future proofing strategy
Don’t move into a brand new home with yesterday’s Wi-Fi setup.
Get it right from day one.
From Melbourne businesses and households using our IT support, Wi-Fi and cyber security services.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Build WiFi Design
How many WiFi access points does a double storey home need?
Most double storey homes require at least one ceiling-mounted access point per floor for consistent coverage. Larger floorplans, concrete slabs, or double brick walls may require additional units to eliminate WiFi dead zones and ensure seamless roaming between levels.
Should WiFi access points be ceiling mounted?
Yes. Ceiling-mounted access points provide better signal distribution than wall-mounted or cupboard installations. Mounting centrally and in open areas allows WiFi to spread evenly throughout rooms, reducing interference and improving performance.
Is mesh WiFi enough for a new build?
Mesh systems can work well in smaller, open-plan homes. However, for larger new builds, double storey homes, or properties with smart home devices and home offices, a professionally designed wired access point system typically delivers stronger performance, better security, and greater reliability.
When should structured cabling be installed during construction?
Structured cabling should be installed before plaster is applied during the construction phase. Running Ethernet cable at this stage is significantly more cost-effective and avoids invasive retrofitting later.
Can I upgrade my WiFi after my home is finished?
Yes, but it’s often more complex and costly. Retrofitting WiFi improvements may require roof cavity access, external conduit, or patching walls. Planning your new build WiFi design in Melbourne early ensures optimal performance from day one.
Building or Renovating in Bayside Melbourne? Let’s Get Your Network Right
Don’t move into a brand new home with yesterday’s Wi-Fi setup.
Intuitive Strategy designs and installs reliable, secure Wi-Fi networks for new builds and renovations across Bayside Melbourne.
From UniFi installations and structured cabling to mesh upgrades and full network configuration — we handle it end-to-end.