When I calculate the load for a new custom home I use 5va per sqft. It has been my experience with custom homes that "designer" people the homeowners hire like to add lots of different, elaborate "mood" lighting. Not to mention over-the-top accent lighting outside on the house and landscape. I had one house a few years ago that I cut too close for my liking at 5va. Then 2 years after they were in the house they wanted to pitch the gas furnace and convert to geo-thermal w/electric heat bank back-up. Service upgrade on a 2 year-old custom home!
