Protect pre-wired cables from damage during drywall

Interesting idea, but who would trim out the ends in rough in stage anyway...take a close look at the pix...kinda dumb.

Also you can number your wires as usual, then wrap plastic and tape over that to protect the numbers.

BTW - I have not found a solution to keeping the HVAC guy from cutting the wires and not telling anyone. Although I'm sure there are several on this forum who would know how to get "even"...

Low voltage comes in last before insulation with the contractors I work with. If we don't we thank them for the opportunity and respectly hand them the phone numbers of some other local companies.

You use drywall tape and mud when packing and shipping wire?

Doug L

Wrap the wires in Saran wrap. Then use electrical or masking tape to keep it in place. Once the painting is all done, peel off the Saran wrap and PRESTO!

Jim Rojas

Well, ya gotta make the packaging pretty!

Grab some of the electrician's discarded BX armor and slip it over the wires where they're going through a potentially hazardous area?

Only if you can assure there are no HVAC guys reading this list ;)

Shove a buncha confetti into the ductwork, that'll give'em a big surprise when they first turn the system on!

Sure. Big hunks of wood or lots of sawdust shoved down the ducts. Can make a simple start up, take days.

wires and not telling anyone. Although I'm sure there are several on this forum who would know how to get "even"...

That one's easy. I always prewired the alarm after the other contractors finished. When working for the GC, try to schedule your work just after the electrician -- the day before the insulation goes up. By then the plumbing, HVACand such are done.

BTW, I like to install the window and door contacts during the prewire. I've found less damage to my work from other contractors that way than if I left the bare wires. At first I used to just pull the cables and only install the contacts after the place was finished but sometimes I'd find cables pulled out by the insulators. Putting the switches in first and leaving a 12-18" service loop in the wall avoids that.

Regards, Robert L Bass

Just to seal the boxes... :-))

We've found that the drywallers unintentionally slice wires if we put contacts on at rough-in stage (we use surface mounts on windows). So, although it's a little more work we come back after paint and install the contacts and spackle...it turns out to be less work than troubleshooting a tiny slice in the contact leads. On custom jobs this generally isnt a problem though.