Recommend Someone to Run Network Cable at Home?

[KeepCalmCarryOn]

I am looking to get some networking cable run in my finished, relatively new home. I want RJ45 beside nearly all the coax ports, and wondered if this is something that a pro can do without tearing into the walls (ie piggy backing on the coax runs, etc).

Does anyone know someone or a company who does this sort of stuff?

[oilyfan]

Cat5 over coax is fairly common, you can actually do it yourself but its not cheap $200 per pair. http://hd.engadget.com/2009/06/25/ne...dapter-review/

[Rathji]

http://www.smartspacetech.ca/ is a company that does it, plus a lot more, so I doubt they will be cheaper than some other options.

Really, any electrical guy should be able to do it, at least the pulls.

[KeepCalmCarryOn]

Originally Posted by oilyfan

Cat5 over coax is fairly common, you can actually do it yourself but its not cheap $200 per pair. http://hd.engadget.com/2009/06/25/ne...dapter-review/

Thanks for the reply - I should have been more clear, sorry...

I meant using the run of coax as a way to physically pull Ethernet cable up? I am not experienced at this stuff and simply believed someone could use the existing path to get me RJ45 from the basement to the bedrooms bonus room etc...
Then I could install a combo coax and RJ45 jack plate and be off to the races!

[KeepCalmCarryOn]

Originally Posted by Rathji

http://www.smartspacetech.ca/ is a company that does it, plus a lot more, so I doubt they will be cheaper than some other options.

Really, any electrical guy should be able to do it, at least the pulls.

Thank you - this is great information!

[Rathji]

It isn't as simple as you are making it sound, but having existing wiring there could make it slightly easier, depending on how big of holes and existing cables. I wouldn't be expecting it to be much cheaper though.

edit: and almost certainly you will need to patch some drywall at a few locations.

[photon]

Is the basement finished?

If not it might be pretty easy.. do all the lower floors through runs up through the plate at the bottom between studs, then get one run up to the attic and do the same down from there.

Plus I've seen some Shaw installer guys do some pretty good stuff with their 10' long drill bits and things, not sure how to get a hold of one of them but they'll probably do it on the side.

[photon]

http://www.trecc.ab.ca/

The companies usually charge an arm and a leg, adding network cable into our home build was way more expensive than it should have been IMO.

Kijiji has a few ads for that:

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-services-...AdIdZ390717235
http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-services-...AdIdZ390738759

Random Kijiji guys are hard to trust tho.

[mykalberta]

Have you thought about Power Over Ethernet?

When I first bought it 6 years ago it was a bit twitchy but now it works like a charm.

[BloodFetish]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Have you thought about Power Over Ethernet?

When I first bought it 6 years ago it was a bit twitchy but now it works like a charm.

Think you meant to say powerline networking?

[Nufy]

Wireless is not an option I assume...

[Rathji]

Originally Posted by BloodFetish

Think you meant to say powerline networking?

Well if he could run PoE, his problem would already be solved!

[KeepCalmCarryOn]

Thanks guys - I tried PoE but the throughput wasn't enough for HD video... Which sucks. Not sure why, the belkin setup I have is 200MBIT (I know, I know...) and it gave me the green light that supposedly indicated more than 80Mbps, so that should give me at least 10MBps, yet a 720p video wouldn't stream without stuttering...

[Flacker]

If the demarcation point (place where all cables will terminate) is unfinished a good cable guy can get you an outlet in most locations.

If rooms are finished top and bottom (no attic access, no access from below) it can become a case of no port, or start opening up walls.

Wiring after the fact can be a serious PITA. I am a believer in conduit runs to help future proof any construction. With the advancements in wireless technologies it may not be a concern for that much longer.

There you go: 1Gbps+ wireless networking is on its way:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Enterprise-...tworks-203059/

[4X4]

I tried google imaging some pics of what a house looks like at electrical rough in, and there are lots, but none that really illustrate it the way you'd understand it if you saw a house at that stage. Basically, there's no way you're going to use existing coax to get to the basement. I don't think there's such an invention as a fish tape that will follow a line through little holes, over electrical staples, past electrical tape that has all the local wires taped together, around corners, and then through more little holes.
That said, it's not really that hard to get what you want, where you want it. They'll just use cold air returns and tuck wires under baseboards.