With people from different regions on this board I see differing construction methods used in residential building. In my region (MA) standard drywall is less common and skimcoat plaster is used. Our ceiling material is not secured directly to ceiling joists but to 3/4 inch furring strips (strapping)that are attached perpendicular to the joists. This makes it easier to fish wiring if needed at later dates. Most houses have basements where the service equipment is located. I have never seen a service panel installed on the outside of a house! What are some of the differences where you are?

Well, over here ceilings consist of 10mm
Gib(drywall), it is held up by runners @ 450mm or 600mm, these run perpendicular to the roof trusses, held in place by the chords on the trusses.
If you want to know more about how this Gib-board is installed, check out gib.co.nz.

Most new houses around here are wood frame with drywall walls and ceilings.They may have brick, block, or usually siding on the outside walls. The majority have full basements with almost all of the basement finished.

Most new houses here (Scottish Highlands) are timber frame construction with block work outer leaf, usually rendered with cement & "harled" (dry dashed).
No basement, suspended timber floor joists, insulation & chipboard flooring.
Internal walls insulated with fibre glass & plasterboard (Gyproc) attached to studs.
Internal partition walls are timber stud & plasterboard, insulated where bordering a bathroom, sometimes other partitions too.
Ceilings are 12.5mm plasterboard direct on to joists.
Can be difficult to fish wires later, but still better than the masonary construction common in England.

Here in northern NJ most houses are stick frame with wood and gyp board. However in the commercial end they are using a lot of metal studs. It helps in the fire rating of the construction