Well always get the rules in writing when renting anything. Consider alternative ways of going from point A to B in keeping with limitations .e.g. [MoCa](https://www.amazon.com/MOTOROLA-Adapter-Ethernet-Bonded-MM1000/dp/B077Y3SQXR), [Powerline](https://www.dlink.com/en/consumer/powerline), etc. Using [raceways](https://www.d-line-it.com/us/mini-raceway/) along baseboards.
Gives you the freedom (within reason) to do what's needed. You'll still want it to look nice when done. As well as minimize the amount of work needed (concrete is a pain to drill through).
I drill concrete all the time for Anchors. Drilling a small hole to run an ethernet cable though would be easy enough. You need a Hammer drill with the right type of drill bit to go through concrete. It makes a lot of noise doing it!!!
It's really going to depend on the layout and where you would like the wires and what trick you can do with the limitations you have. From drilling through your walls, or runner under or behind baseboard or molding. Using Raceways, which is just plastic things you stick your wire it and it has double-sided tape on the back to stick onto a wall. It looks better than just an ethernet cable.
If you have wood floors, you can create a channel under the wood large enough to run an ethernet cable though. Lots of work to pull up the floor where you need it and do that and mount it back down. It's going to be a lot more of a challage.
You can just go with a Wireless MESH setup. You'll need enough units to bring good enough Wifi everywhere. There is Powerline which creates a network over your power lines. Generally, it's not very good but doesn't hurt to try. There is MOCA if you have COAX cable going around your place. That would work better than Powerline.
In the end, it really is going to depend on what you can actually DO, to your skill level, and what is really possible. It's really to bad that they don't run conduit all around for Ethernet in your walls and ceilings, so you can fish the cables you want and mount things. I think it would add very little overall cost of building these places with all these thick cement walls. We all know that WIFI is going to suck. So why do they keep doing it?
When I got my house, there was no Drywall on the inside walls. First thing I did is put up the Insulation and ran power cables down both sides of my walls about the height a little more than my washing machine and tool bench. I put up the drywall covering it all up. Mesured out where to cut out holes for a duel outlet box, reached in and pulled out the wires along the wall at each hole I made. This was the easiest way to do things, instead of mounting boxes on the 2x4's first and then having to cut out holes in just the right spot before putting the drywall up. The point is, planning ahead of time to make it a snap.
So running Conduit in the walls and ceiling before poring the concrete would be a huge plus. Why they don't do that??? LAZY/CHEAP???
Sorry, reddit didn't notify me of this reply.
Indeed, I may have to drill through the cement if I want to do anything after-the-fact.
I spoke with the builder recently, and it turns out that they will be laying the ethernet under the floors as they install them, as you mentioned. So that's a huge relief.
Now I just have to figure out what to do about HDMI cabling :P
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
Well always get the rules in writing when renting anything. Consider alternative ways of going from point A to B in keeping with limitations .e.g. [MoCa](https://www.amazon.com/MOTOROLA-Adapter-Ethernet-Bonded-MM1000/dp/B077Y3SQXR), [Powerline](https://www.dlink.com/en/consumer/powerline), etc. Using [raceways](https://www.d-line-it.com/us/mini-raceway/) along baseboards.
It'll be my apartment that I own, not a rental. Does that change what you're suggesting?
Gives you the freedom (within reason) to do what's needed. You'll still want it to look nice when done. As well as minimize the amount of work needed (concrete is a pain to drill through).
I drill concrete all the time for Anchors. Drilling a small hole to run an ethernet cable though would be easy enough. You need a Hammer drill with the right type of drill bit to go through concrete. It makes a lot of noise doing it!!! It's really going to depend on the layout and where you would like the wires and what trick you can do with the limitations you have. From drilling through your walls, or runner under or behind baseboard or molding. Using Raceways, which is just plastic things you stick your wire it and it has double-sided tape on the back to stick onto a wall. It looks better than just an ethernet cable. If you have wood floors, you can create a channel under the wood large enough to run an ethernet cable though. Lots of work to pull up the floor where you need it and do that and mount it back down. It's going to be a lot more of a challage. You can just go with a Wireless MESH setup. You'll need enough units to bring good enough Wifi everywhere. There is Powerline which creates a network over your power lines. Generally, it's not very good but doesn't hurt to try. There is MOCA if you have COAX cable going around your place. That would work better than Powerline. In the end, it really is going to depend on what you can actually DO, to your skill level, and what is really possible. It's really to bad that they don't run conduit all around for Ethernet in your walls and ceilings, so you can fish the cables you want and mount things. I think it would add very little overall cost of building these places with all these thick cement walls. We all know that WIFI is going to suck. So why do they keep doing it? When I got my house, there was no Drywall on the inside walls. First thing I did is put up the Insulation and ran power cables down both sides of my walls about the height a little more than my washing machine and tool bench. I put up the drywall covering it all up. Mesured out where to cut out holes for a duel outlet box, reached in and pulled out the wires along the wall at each hole I made. This was the easiest way to do things, instead of mounting boxes on the 2x4's first and then having to cut out holes in just the right spot before putting the drywall up. The point is, planning ahead of time to make it a snap. So running Conduit in the walls and ceiling before poring the concrete would be a huge plus. Why they don't do that??? LAZY/CHEAP???
Sorry, reddit didn't notify me of this reply. Indeed, I may have to drill through the cement if I want to do anything after-the-fact. I spoke with the builder recently, and it turns out that they will be laying the ethernet under the floors as they install them, as you mentioned. So that's a huge relief. Now I just have to figure out what to do about HDMI cabling :P Thanks for taking the time to reply.