How Early Should Builders Bring in Their AV Integrator?

If the integrator shows up after drywall, it’s not integration — it’s triage.
For luxury residential projects, bring your AV/low‑voltage partner in as soon as schematic design starts and before electrical plans are finalized.

The 30‑Second Answer

Earliest is best. Engage the AV integrator for:

• Schematic Design: Align on spaces, equipment rooms, shade pockets, and pathways.
• Design Development: Overlay low‑voltage with lighting and power; confirm conduit runs.
• Pre‑framing Walk: Validate locations for keypads, access points, speakers, cameras, and racks.
• Lighting Design, Control and Fixture Placement.
• Rough‑in: Pull wire, set backboxes, label/document, and test.
• Trim/Commissioning: Finish hardware, program, and train the client.

Why Early Involvement Protects the Build

1. Prewire > Retrofit: Running Cat6/fiber, speaker wire, shade power, and camera lines during framing costs a fraction of opening finished walls later.
2. Cleaner Aesthetics: Early coordination enables invisible tech — recessed shade pockets, hidden speakers, centralized racks, and uncluttered walls.
3. No Schedule Whiplash: Late low‑voltage changes create rework for electrical, drywall, paint, and millwork. Early drawings prevent cascading delays.
4. Trade Harmony: Lighting, shading, HVAC, security, and networks touch every trade. A single low‑voltage plan reduces overlaps and RFIs.
5. Future‑Proofing: Even if the client is tech‑light today, a robust backbone (conduit + wire) keeps options open for tomorrow.

“What Early” Looks Like (Phase‑by‑Phase)

Schematic Design

• Identify equipment rack room(s), ventilation, and service clearances
• Agree on display sizes/placements, speaker types, and projector/screen options
• Note shade pockets, headboxes, and drapery tracks where design requires
• Map network backbone, demarcation, and secondary IDF locations (if needed)

Design Development

• Issue coordinated low‑voltage plans with:
  • Cat6 (and fiber where appropriate) to every fixed device and TV location
  • Ceiling‑mounted WAP drops per floor/wing
  • Speaker/subwoofer wiring and keypad/touchpanel backboxes
  • Camera/doorbell locations and gate/intercom pathways
  • Conduit paths between floors, to soffits, roof, exterior, and detached structures like outbuildings and front gates.

Pre‑Framing Walk

• Blue‑tape confirmations for all devices, heights, and clearances
• Validate shade pocket sizes and power points
• Confirm built‑ins for soundbars, lifts, or in‑millwork displays

Rough‑In

• Pull, label, and test all low‑voltage runs; photograph and document
• Land terminations neatly; plan for serviceable, ventilated racks
• Coordinate with electrical for dedicated circuits, surge/UPS, and load management

Trim & Commissioning

• Calibrate audio, video, Wi‑Fi, and scenes; train owner and house manager
• Deliver as‑builts and service documentation

The Builder’s Advantage

• Fewer change orders and cleaner inspections
• Protected finishes (no last‑minute coring or patch/paint)
• Happier clients: simple controls, fast Wi‑Fi, quiet shades, reliable security
• Marketing value: “Technology‑ready” homes command confidence and referrals

Prewire & Infrastructure Checklist (Copy/Paste)

• Cat6 (minimum) to all TVs, desktops, streaming and fixed devices
• Ceiling Cat6 drops for wireless access points (PoE), per coverage plan
• Speaker wiring to planned rooms; dedicated subwoofer lines; surround/Atmos where applicable
• Camera locations (PoE) at eaves/entries + video doorbell
• Shade power and pockets (and drapery tracks) at windows/doors
• Keypad/touchpanel backboxes at ergonomic heights; bedside controls where desired
• Conduit paths: rack↔attic, rack↔crawl, rack↔exterior, rack↔roof, garage/drive gate, and between floors
• Dedicated, conditioned power for racks; whole‑home surge; UPS for network
• Ventilation and service clearances for equipment spaces
• Secondary IDF/media closet if home size warrants

Design‑First Details You Can Only Nail Early

• Trimless keypads that align with lighting and hardware finishes
• Soundbar millwork reveals that match frame depths and sightlines
• Hidden or small‑aperture speakers coordinated with lighting grids
• Mount heights and clearances for ultra‑thin displays and artwork
• Solar/blackout shade layering inside pockets with matching fascias

Quick FAQ (for clients and partners)

When do we formally engage?
At schematic design — we’ll budget, scope, and deliver a low‑voltage plan before electrical drawings lock.

What if the homeowner isn’t sure what they want?
Design a scalable backbone now (wire + conduit). The homeowner can decide devices later without opening walls.

Do we have to decide on brands early?
No — infrastructure is brand‑agnostic. Early work secures pathways, power, and space so final selections don’t impact construction.

Will early involvement add cost?
It typically saves cost by eliminating rework, protecting finishes, and shortening commissioning at the end.

Early stages? Get us on your schedule!