Once the concrete goes down, it’s game over for anything that needs to run underneath it. That’s why it’s so important to plan ahead before your driveway, sidewalk, or patio gets poured. A little extra prep now can save you a whole lot of digging, cutting, or regret later.
Plan What Needs to Go Under the Driveway
You might not know exactly what you’ll need in the future, but that’s okay. Even just putting in an empty pipe or conduit now gives you options. The most common things that need to run under a driveway are drains, electrical wiring, and internet cables.
Run Conduit to the Outside Electrical Panel
This gives you the option to add future power to things like a pool pump, shed, storage building, or even an addition to the house. Most electrical panels are mounted on the exterior of the house and have concrete walkways in between them and the yard. Throw down conduit so you can easily run the wiring later, not digging under concrete.
You don’t have to pull wires now, just run the empty conduit and leave a pull string in it for later.
Creative Turnaround Driveway Ideas via Light and Layer
Think About the End of the Driveway
This one gets missed all the time. If there’s even a chance you’ll add a gate opener or driveway lights someday, put in conduit now. It’s a simple thing that saves you from having to tear up concrete later. If nothing else, drop a pipe in and cap it. You’ll be glad it’s there when the time comes.
Driveway Gate Ideas via Light and Layer
Future Internet or Cable Line
Some internet or cable providers require a direct line to your home and they don’t care if there’s a concrete driveway in the way. If your main connection comes from across the driveway, run a pipe under it now for any future cable, internet, or data lines.
It’s especially smart if you’re in a rural area where utilities aren’t all in one place.
Planning for a Future Shed or Workshop
Even if you’re not building it now, you might want a shed or small building at the back of the property someday. Maybe it’ll be for storage, maybe it’ll be a workshop. Either way, if you think there’s even a small chance it’ll need power, water, or internet, now is the time to run a pipe in that direction.
Garden Shed Ideas via Ecocation
Before the Concrete Sets
Once the concrete is poured, it’s hard to go back. It’s too easy for the contractors to dig a little trench to drop some conduit under the concrete forms. A few extra bucks or a case of beer goes a long way.
For more tips like this check out The Ultimate Home Building Checklist. You only get one shot to build it right!
