What new construction GCs need to know about low-voltage pre-wire

We work alongside custom builders and commercial GCs all over North DFW — Plano, Frisco, Prosper, Southlake, Legacy West, Addison — and the single biggest determinant of whether a low-voltage scope goes smoothly is whether pre-wire happens at the right time, in the right order, with the right coordination.

When pre-wire should happen

The window for low-voltage pre-wire is narrow: after rough framing, after MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) has laid out major routes, but before insulation and drywall. Miss this window and you're either fishing walls after the fact (expensive, messy) or installing surface-mount conduit (ugly).

The 9-category pre-wire checklist

1. Network backbone

Pull Cat6A from every data/AV termination to a central rack location. Plan for at least 1 Cat6A per TV, 2 per desk, 2 per WiFi AP location, 1 per camera, 1 per access door. Leave 20% spare capacity.

2. WiFi access points

Modern buildings need AP density based on capacity (users per sqft), not coverage. 1 AP per 1,500–2,500 sqft for offices, 1 per 800–1,200 sqft for high-density spaces (conference rooms, restaurants). Ceiling-mount with Cat6A.

3. Camera locations

Dome-head height 9–12 ft interior, 10–14 ft exterior. Each camera drop: 1 Cat6A plus a pull string for future. Corner positions cover more area than center ceiling — plan accordingly.

4. Access control

Per door: composite cable (reader cable + strike/mag lock wire + REX + door contact) from door to the nearest IDF. For glass storefront openings, involve the door hardware vendor early — power transfer hinges and electrified strikes have to be specified before the door is ordered.

5. Conference / media rooms

To each room: power, 2 Cat6A, 1 HDMI conduit (or pull string for fiber-HDMI), microphone ceiling pre-wire, and if video wall — 2x power runs to the display location. Coordinate ceiling grid layout with lighting and HVAC to avoid clashes.

6. Digital signage

Every lobby/menu-board/wayfinding display needs: 1x dedicated power, 1x Cat6A, pull string, and a specified mounting surface (blocking in the wall for VESA mount). Content player housing location specified.

7. Audio distribution

Whole-building paging or background music: home-run 16-gauge speaker cable from each speaker back to amp rack. Don't daisy-chain — it limits future zone flexibility.

8. IDF / MDF rooms

Each IDF needs: dedicated 20A circuit, HVAC (racks dump a lot of heat), lockable door, plywood backboard on at least 2 walls, grounding. For commercial projects, minimum 6x6 ft IDF closet.

9. Conduit for future

From rack location to major walls/ceilings, run 1-inch EMT conduit with pull strings for future upgrades. This is $200 of conduit that saves $5,000 in 5 years.

Documentation we need from you

• Architectural floor plans (PDF + DWG ideal)
• MEP plans showing HVAC ductwork and electrical panel locations
• Ceiling type and heights by room
• Door schedule (for access control scoping)
• AV program if known (conference rooms, display locations, digital signage intent)

Partnering with us on projects

We have standing partnerships with several custom builders and commercial GCs across North DFW. If you're scoping a new project and want a low-voltage integrator on the team, we typically engage at schematic design, produce a pre-wire plan by CDs, and execute pre-wire, trim, and commissioning in phases aligned with your schedule.