Technology & Low Voltage
Structured Cabling & Wi-Fi
Structured cabling, Ethernet, networking and Wi-Fi access points planned into your home or business before the walls close.
Overview
A reliable network starts with the cable inside the walls. Structured cabling means running Ethernet and coaxial lines from a central equipment location to every point that needs a connection – desks, televisions, cameras, access points and control panels – and terminating them in an organized, labeled way so the system can be serviced and expanded.
Wi-Fi performance in a finished building depends on where access points are placed and how they are wired back. Concrete block walls, impact glass, metal framing and multiple floors all affect coverage, so we plan access-point locations with the drawings, not after the drywall is finished.
An appropriately licensed low-voltage contractor partner performs the cabling, termination, testing and network equipment setup. We fold that work into the construction schedule so pathways, backing and power are ready when the cabling crew arrives, and the walls close only after the rough-in is checked.
Who it’s for
- Owners building a new home or commercial space who want wired connections planned from the start
- Renovations where walls and ceilings will be open anyway
- Home offices and businesses that depend on stable video calls, file transfers or point-of-sale systems
- Larger homes or multi-story buildings where a single router does not reach every room
- Tenant build-outs that need a telecom room, data drops and access points for a new layout
What’s included
Typically included
- Review of the floor plan to locate data drops, access points and the central equipment location
- Low-voltage rough-in: Ethernet and coaxial cable runs, low-voltage brackets and pathways
- Conduit or sleeves for future runs where walls or slabs will be hard to reach later
- Equipment rack or structured media enclosure, patch panel and cable management
- Termination, labeling and testing of each cable run
- Ceiling- or wall-mounted Wi-Fi access points with wired backhaul
- Router, switch and network setup by the low-voltage partner
- Coordination of dedicated power at the equipment location with the electrical contractor
- As-built record of cable locations and labels at turnover
Common exclusions
- Internet service accounts, provider equipment and monthly service charges
- Computers, phones, printers and other end-user devices
- Ongoing IT management, cybersecurity services or help-desk support
- Dedicated electrical circuits beyond those included in the electrical scope
- Patching and painting of finished walls when cabling is added to an existing occupied building, unless included in the scope
Every proposal lists its own inclusions and exclusions in writing.
Materials, design options & upgrades
How pricing works
Cabling and Wi-Fi are priced per project. The estimate is built from the number and type of drops, cable lengths back to the equipment location, the number of access points, the rack or enclosure, and the network equipment selected.
New construction with open framing is the most efficient condition. Adding cable to finished, occupied spaces takes more labor for fishing wire and patching. If the network is part of a larger build, it is priced within that project’s budget rather than as a separate add-on.
What changes the cost
- Number of data drops, coaxial runs and access points
- Building size, number of floors and distance to the equipment location
- Open framing versus finished walls and ceilings
- Cable category and whether fiber is used
- Network equipment: router, switches, access points and backup power
- Conduit and pathway requirements, including runs through block or concrete
- Outdoor or detached-structure coverage
If this work is part of a larger project, it’s priced within that project’s budget — please don’t add separate estimates together. Read the pricing guide.
Typical stages
Needs review
We discuss how the space will be used, where devices will live and what coverage you expect, room by room.
Low-voltage plan
The partner marks drops, access points and the equipment location on the plans, and we coordinate power and pathways.
Rough-in
Cable, brackets and conduit are installed while framing is open, before insulation and drywall.
Rough-in check
Runs are verified against the plan and labeled so nothing is buried behind drywall by mistake.
Trim and equipment
After finishes, jacks, the patch panel, access points and network equipment are installed and configured.
Testing and turnover
Each run is tested, coverage is checked, and you receive the labeling record and network access details.
What affects the schedule
- Rough-in has to happen after framing and electrical rough-in and before insulation and drywall
- Final layout decisions – furniture, televisions, desks – need to be settled before rough-in
- Trim-out waits for paint and finishes in the areas where devices mount
- Network equipment availability and internet provider installation dates
- Occupied buildings may require phased or after-hours work
Questions & answers
Is Wi-Fi enough, or do I need wired connections?
Wi-Fi performs most reliably when access points are themselves wired back to the network. Fixed devices such as televisions, desktop computers and cameras generally perform more consistently on a wired connection. The plan usually combines both.
Where should the network equipment go?
A central, ventilated location with power and space for a rack or enclosure – often a closet, utility room or telecom room. It should be accessible for service and away from heat and moisture.
Can cabling be added to an existing building?
Often, yes, though it takes more labor and may require small openings in finished surfaces. Attic, crawlspace and ceiling access affect what is practical, which is why existing buildings are reviewed on site before pricing.
Who sets up the network itself?
The low-voltage partner configures the router, switches and access points. Your internet provider installs and activates the incoming service separately.
Start here
Planning structured cabling & wi-fi?
A short form — three steps, a few minutes. Share plans or photos if you have them. We’ll review it and follow up using the contact details you provide.