(208) 991-3502
Meridian, ID
January 28, 2026Low-voltage work often looks small on paper, but poor planning can disrupt entire construction schedules. This article explains how low-voltage timing affects rough-in, inspections, and closeout on commercial projects. Written for general contractors and electricians managing real-world timelines.
Why Schedules Slip Even When “Most of the Work Is Done”
On many commercial projects, schedules look solid right up until the end. Framing is complete. Power is on. Finishes are going in.
Then low voltage enters the picture.
Cables still need to be pulled. Devices are not ready. Inspections cannot be closed. Suddenly, a small scope is holding up occupancy.
This is not a rare problem. It happens because low voltage is often planned too late.
Low Voltage Touches More Phases Than Most Teams Expect
Low-voltage work does not live in a single phase of construction.
It overlaps with:
Rough-in
Ceiling installation
Final inspections
Commissioning and testing
Owner training and turnover
When low voltage is treated as a “finish task,” these overlaps are missed. That creates conflicts with other trades and compresses timelines near the end of the project.
Early planning spreads the work out instead of stacking it at the end.
Rough-In Delays Start the Chain Reaction
Low-voltage rough-in often depends on conduit, pathways, and access that must be installed early.
When conduit routes are missing or unclear, cable pulls are delayed. When cable pulls are delayed, terminations move later. When terminations move later, testing and inspections cannot happen on time.
What looks like a small delay early turns into a much larger one later.
Inspections and Closeout Depend on Low Voltage
Many commercial projects cannot close without low-voltage systems in place.
Fire alarms, access control, cameras, and network infrastructure are often part of final inspections or owner acceptance. If those systems are incomplete or untested, the building is not ready.
This creates pressure late in the schedule, when flexibility is already gone.
Planning low voltage early reduces last-minute rush and inspection risk.
Coordination with Other Trades Matters
Low-voltage installers share space with electricians, HVAC, and fire protection trades.
If ceilings are closed before cables are run, access becomes limited. If equipment rooms are repurposed late, racks must be moved. If device locations change, rework follows.
Good coordination avoids these conflicts by aligning low-voltage work with the broader construction sequence.
Why Early Planning Keeps Projects Moving
When low voltage is planned early:
Pathways are ready at the right time
Cable pulls happen before ceilings close
Devices are installed without rework
Testing and commissioning stay on schedule
Instead of reacting to problems, teams move through the project with fewer surprises.
The GC’s Role in Schedule Protection
General contractors are often the first to feel the impact of low-voltage delays.
By including low voltage in early planning meetings and schedule discussions, GCs protect the critical path. Simple steps like confirming rough-in timing and inspection requirements can prevent weeks of delay later.
Low voltage planning is schedule protection.
Final Takeaway
Low-voltage work may seem small compared to structural or electrical scopes, but its timing has an outsized impact on commercial schedules.
When planned late, it delays everything. When planned early, it stays invisible.
For commercial projects, that difference matters.