Whole-Home Networking in Toronto

Small condo or 1,200–1,500 sqft home (Cat6a to 4–6 rooms, single Wi-Fi mesh node, basic structured panel): $3,500–$5,500. Standard 1,500–2,500 sqft home (Cat6a to 8–12 rooms, 3-node mesh, full panel, PoE switch, 2–4 cameras): $5,500–$9,500. Larger 2,500–3,500 sqft home (Cat6a to 12–18 rooms, 4–6 node mesh, premium panel, 4–8 cameras): $9,500–$15,000. Premium custom (whole-home including backyard/garage/ARU, fiber backbone, NAS, full smart-home integration): $12,000–$25,000+. New construction during framing: 30–40% cheaper than retrofit.

Wi-Fi alone is compromised in larger Toronto homes — drywall, plaster, brick interior walls, multi-storey separation, and Wi-Fi 7's 6 GHz band's reduced penetration mean even premium mesh systems struggle for true edge-to-edge coverage without wired backhaul. The 2026 best-practice is hybrid: Cat6a Ethernet to every room AND Wi-Fi 7 mesh nodes using the Cat6a as wired backhaul. This delivers gigabit-plus wired capability where it matters (TVs, gaming, NAS, WFH machines), Wi-Fi mesh roaming with no dead zones, and PoE+ for cameras and access points without separate power runs.

Ubiquiti UniFi (U7 Pro AP / U6 Pro AP) — technical-user choice, premium hardware, advanced features, requires controller. Eero Pro 6E and Eero Max 7 — mainstream choice, easy mobile-app setup, Amazon-owned. Netgear Orbi 970 — premium tri-band Wi-Fi 7 with 10 Gbps backhaul, best for 3,500+ sqft. ASUS ZenWiFi BT10 — Wi-Fi 7 with gaming/QoS focus. We specify based on home size, ISP plan, smart-home needs, and technical comfort. Most installs use Eero Pro 6E or UniFi U7 Pro for 1,500–3,500 sqft homes.

Wall-mounted enclosure (Leviton 49605, ICC Eclipse, OnQ, or similar) in a basement utility closet or main-floor utility room. All Cat6a cables home-run to the panel and terminate on Cat6a keystones or a 24-port patch panel. Inside: 24-port managed switch (Ubiquiti UniFi Pro 24, Netgear MS510TX), router (Eero, UniFi Dream Machine, ASUS), ISP modem, PoE+ injector or PoE switch, surge protection, structured power. The panel is the upgrade point — when Wi-Fi 8 arrives, you replace access points; when 10 GbE Internet arrives, you replace the switch. Cat6a cabling lasts 15–25 years and is rated for 10 GbE over 100m.

No — low-voltage cabling (Cat6a, coax, fiber) is NOT regulated under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code in the same way as 120V/240V wiring. No ESA permit is typically required for Cat6a, PoE, and low-voltage AV work. RenoHouse self-performs all low-voltage cabling, structured panel installation, and access-point mounting. For any 120V tie-ins (e.g., dedicated outlet for the structured panel, outdoor camera with 120V whip, dedicated AP power) we coordinate Master Electrician (ECRA/ESA-licensed partner) and pull an ESA permit for that portion. Most projects need only a single 120V tie-in for the structured panel — minor scope.

Yes. When fiber is available (Bell Fibe FTTH widely deployed in central Toronto, Etobicoke, North York; Rogers Ignite Fibre in newer condo zones), the ISP installs a fiber drop and ONT (optical network terminal) to a wall plate or to the structured panel. RenoHouse coordinates the ISP handoff appointment with Bell or Rogers, patches the ONT into the home's network at the structured panel, configures the home's router behind the ONT (bridge mode or double-NAT depending on configuration), and verifies gigabit/multi-gigabit speed at every Cat6a wall plate.

We integrate CCTV (Ubiquiti UniFi Protect, Reolink, Hikvision, Lorex), Ring doorbells and cameras, and Nest cameras into the structured wiring system. PoE+ cameras (Ubiquiti, Reolink, Hikvision) get power and data over a single Cat6a run from the PoE switch in the structured panel — no separate power outlet needed at the camera. Ring and Nest are typically Wi-Fi but can also be hardwired with Cat6a where available. Recording: cloud subscription (Ring/Nest Aware), local NVR (UniFi Protect, Reolink NVR, Lorex DVR), or NAS-based (Synology Surveillance Station). Configuration and homeowner training included.

Strongly during a renovation. Cat6a cable run during framing: $80–$150 per drop. Same cable retrofit through finished walls: $150–$300 per drop — and 2–3x slower. Best timing: kitchen renovation (Cat6a to TV/computer locations during drywall), basement finishing (Cat6a from utility closet to main-floor rooms), full-home renovation (structured wiring before drywall), addition or new build (during framing stage). New construction with structured wiring is 30–40% cheaper than retrofit equivalent.

Low-voltage cabling follows OBC and Canadian Electrical Code Section 60 best practices but does not require ESA permit or inspection. We use plenum-rated cable in shared HVAC spaces, riser-rated cable in vertical chases, fire-stopping at floor and ceiling penetrations per OBC, and CSA-approved structured cabling components. For any 120V tie-ins, ESA permit is pulled by our Master Electrician partner and inspected by ESA. Surveillance camera 120V whips and structured-panel power outlets are the typical 120V scope.

Yes. Homeowner training at install completion (router app, Wi-Fi SSID, guest network, mesh roaming, security camera app, smart-home integration). 30 days of remote support included to dial in the network — answer questions, adjust Wi-Fi channels, troubleshoot device pairing. Beyond 30 days we offer optional remote support packages or hourly support visits. We also provide network documentation (cable map, panel layout, IP addresses, login credentials) for future reference and any other tech who works on the network.

If your older home still has a 100-amp panel, upgrading to 200 amps is highly recommended — especially if you're adding major appliances, EV chargers, or renovating. Modern homes draw significantly more power, and the upgrade future-proofs your electrical system while improving safety.

Knob-and-tube wiring isn't inherently dangerous when undisturbed, but it lacks grounding, can't handle modern electrical loads, and becomes hazardous when insulation is added around it. We recommend replacement during any renovation that opens walls — it also improves your home insurance eligibility.

Yes, but it requires careful cutting to avoid cracking the surrounding plaster. We use specialized techniques to install recessed lighting in plaster ceilings, and can run new wiring through the ceiling cavity from above. The result is modern lighting without damaging your home's character.