Wi-Fi has become so good that many people assume cables are a thing of the past. In practice, a wired connection is still the most reliable way to run a TV, a desk, a CCTV recorder or a set of access points. This guide explains where Cat6 data cabling earns its place in a London home or small office, what a sensible installation looks like, and what it costs.
Why cables still matter
Wi-Fi shares airtime. Every phone, laptop, speaker and doorbell in the building competes for the same channels, and London's dense housing makes neighbouring networks a constant source of interference. A cable gives a device its own dedicated link with steady speed and very low delay. That matters for video calls, gaming, 4K streaming, and anything that must stay online around the clock, such as CCTV or an alarm communicator.
Cat6 is the sensible standard today. It comfortably handles gigabit speeds, and over typical home distances it can carry more, so it will not be the bottleneck when your broadband improves.
Where cabling makes the biggest difference
Behind the TV. A streaming box, games console and soundbar all benefit from a wired connection. If you are planning a wall-mounted screen, it is far easier to run the cable before the TV goes up. Our TV wall mounting engineers can discuss concealed routes on the day.
Home office. A wired desk gives you consistent video calls without worrying about which room the router sits in.
Wi-Fi access points. The best way to cover a larger or multi-storey home is a wired backbone. Mesh units that connect by cable perform far better than ones relaying wirelessly from each other.
Cameras and smart devices. Many professional CCTV systems and smart-home controllers run on a single network cable that carries data and power together, which keeps the installation neat and dependable.
What a good installation looks like
A tidy job starts with a plan. Before anything is drilled, the engineer agrees where each outlet goes, how the cables will be routed, and where they all meet at a central point, usually next to the router. Cables are run through voids and trunking where possible, terminated into proper wall plates, and tested so you know every point delivers full speed. Avoid anything that leaves loose cable stapled along skirting boards.
In period London properties with solid walls, chimney breasts and lath-and-plaster, routing needs some thought. A site visit beats guessing, which is why we recommend a quick survey for anything beyond a single point.
What it costs
Our fixed prices, which include VAT, are:
- Single Cat6 Point: £129. Ideal for one TV, desk or access point.
- Home 4-Point Bundle: £399. Four outlets, a sensible choice for a TV, office and a couple of access points.
- Office 10-Point: £849. A small business fit-out with a tidy, tested layout.
If your main issue is patchy coverage rather than a missing socket, it may be cheaper to start with a Wi-Fi Health Check at £149, or a Whole-Home Mesh Setup at £299 (the mesh hardware is quoted separately, or you can supply your own). For homes and small offices that want two wired-backhaul Cat6 points and separate guest and smart-device networks, our Pro Network package is £549. Our guide to fixing slow Wi-Fi in a London home explains how to decide between these options.
Planning for the future
If walls are being opened up for a renovation, add more points than you need today. Extra outlets cost very little at that stage and are expensive to add afterwards. Consider a media wall or cinema room too; our audio-visual team can coordinate cabling with speaker and display positions.
Get a fixed price
Tell us how many points you need and where, and we will confirm a price before any work begins. See our data and networking services or request a quote and we will come back to you promptly.