Prewire & new construction
Low-Voltage Rough-In Timeline for Custom Homes
For builders and project managers
Integrators get called late. The result is predictable: keypad boxes in the wrong place, no power at the shade pockets, and a rack shoehorned into a closet with no cooling.
Here is the schedule that works. It costs the builder nothing extra and removes almost every change order that technology usually generates.
What we need from the schedule
- Design development: two-hour coordination meeting with architect and designer
- Permit set: reflected ceiling plan and lighting load schedule reviewed
- Framing: on-site walkthrough for blocking, pockets, and rack location
- Electrical rough: coordination with the electrician on circuits and boxes
- Low-voltage rough: one to three weeks depending on square footage
- Insulation: inspection of every run before it is covered
- Drywall: pre-rock photo documentation of every wall
- Trim: speakers, keypads, shades, and displays installed
- Commissioning: programming, calibration, and after-dark scene tuning
- Handover: family training plus documentation and as-builts
Phase by phase
Where we belong on the construction schedule
- 1
Design development
We join the architect, designer, and lighting designer while plans are still fluid. Rack location, shade pockets, speaker layout, and keypad positions get resolved on paper instead of in the field.
- 2
Framing walkthrough
Before wire goes in, we walk the framed shell with the superintendent to confirm blocking, pocket depths, conduit paths, and the mechanical space that will hold the equipment rack.
- 3
Low-voltage rough-in
After electrical rough and before insulation, our crew pulls, labels, and photographs every run. Typical Front Range custom homes take one to three weeks.
- 4
Pre-drywall documentation
Every wall is photographed and mapped so future service never guesses. The builder gets a copy for the project record.
- 5
Trim out
Once paint is complete, speakers, keypads, shades, displays, cameras, and touch panels are installed and the rack is built and dressed.
- 6
Commissioning and handover
Programming, calibration, and after-dark lighting scene tuning happen with finishes and furniture in place, followed by family training and documentation.
Systems this affects
Common questions
Rough-in timeline
How early should a builder bring in the integrator?
During design development, before the permit set is finalized. Rack space, shade pockets, and the lighting load schedule are architectural decisions, and they are cheap to get right on paper.
How long does low-voltage rough-in take?
One to three weeks for most Front Range custom homes, scaled to square footage and system count. We schedule around the electrician and clear well ahead of insulation.
Who coordinates with the electrician?
We do, directly. Circuits for the rack, shade pockets, and lighting panels, plus box placement for keypads, are all resolved integrator-to-electrician so the builder is not relaying details.
Keep planning
More from the prewire library
See the complete prewire and new construction guide, or read how technology comes together across a whole home in our luxury home technology guide.
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