New home - Essential Wiring?

Absolutely. Also run CAT5 from the wiring closet to the furnace room.

In addition to data cable, consider running wire (22/4 solid) for door sensors and motion detectors. This will give whatever home automation system you choose a way to know when people enter/exit and when someone is at home.

Many of my home automation clients also like to wire the windows if they can be opened from the outside. By "bugging" the windows and doors you provide the HA system with the ability to protect against burglary

-- a nice fringe benefit. The magnetic sensors (called "contacts") for protecting doors and windows are quite inexpensive, on the order of $2-4 apiece.

Some people like to wire for remote speakers which can connect to the home's main stereo system. This can be as simple as 16/4 stranded cable running to a volume control located next to the light switch in each room and 16/2 running from there to the two speakers. More elaborate systems require a CAT5 cable run to the volume control as well. You can even run shielded video cable to the rooms if you like.

There are lots more things which you can prewire for at this stage but those are some of the most commonly done.

That's why I long ago decided that the next house I build will have walls containing a network of minimum 2" PVC tubing as wiring channels, with access plates in each room, so I can easily pull anything, anywhere, any time.

-- Larry

One of the BEST examples of a wiring closet I've ever seen put together by a "DIY" is the one "BruceR" has on his website. Maybe he'll be kind enough to provide the link for you.

Yep, this is how it should be done.

Why waste the money? Sure, having conduits running between major distribution points is a good idea. And running it to places that aren't easy to access. But most indoor walls are such that it's pretty easy to run new wire. Conduit is not the instant panacea some might think. That and when you've got wires already in a conduit and you want to run more you do risk damaging the existing wiring. Blue (smurf) tube can be a lot more difficult to add to than hard conduit. Then there are also bend radius issues that have to be taken into account.

And for what? Most wiring isn't going to change. If it's planned well there's really not much point in bothering with the added cost of 'conduit everywhere'.

Put the conduit in places where you're really likely to make additions/changes. And if you do have major distribution points make sure you put in MORE conduit than current/near needs demand. But everywhere? Spend the money on something else.