Unity Power & Light provides comprehensive low-voltage rough-in and pre-wire services for new construction and major remodels in the Aiken area. The framing stage is your one opportunity to run wiring through walls, ceilings, and floors without cutting into finished surfaces. Every cable you install during rough-in saves hundreds of dollars compared to retrofitting after drywall is up. We plan, design, and install all the low-voltage infrastructure your smart home needs — from motorized shade power and speaker wire to network cabling and security camera runs.
Whether you are building a custom home with full home automation or simply want to future-proof a spec home with basic structured wiring, we work with your builder and general contractor to get every cable in the right place at the right time. Our low-voltage rough-in service covers motorized shade wiring, in-ceiling and in-wall speaker runs, Cat6/Cat6a network cabling, security camera wiring, smart lighting control infrastructure, central vacuum tubing, and intercom and doorbell wiring.
Key detail: Shade power wiring must be in place before headers are framed closed. Timing with your builder is critical.
Key detail: Speaker locations need to be planned with furniture layout and ceiling fan placement in mind.
Key detail: A single Wi-Fi router cannot reliably cover most homes. Pre-wired ceiling access points provide whole-home coverage.
Key detail: Camera angles and coverage zones should be planned during design, not decided after the house is built.
Key detail: New construction should always include neutral wires in every switch box, eliminating the most common smart switch compatibility issue.
Key detail: Running conduit now for systems you might want later costs very little and saves thousands in retrofit costs.
Effective low-voltage rough-in starts long before framing begins. Our planning process ensures nothing is missed:
Floor plan review. We review your architectural plans and identify every location that needs low-voltage wiring. We mark speaker locations, camera positions, shade power feeds, network drops, keypad locations, and equipment rack placement directly on your plans.
Technology discussion. We talk through which systems you want now and which you might want in the future. Running cable during rough-in is inexpensive. Retrofitting after drywall is not. We help you decide where future-proofing makes financial sense.
Builder coordination meeting. We meet with your general contractor and framing crew to review our plans, coordinate timing, and clarify responsibilities. Low-voltage rough-in typically happens after framing and before insulation, and timing is tight. Everyone needs to be aligned.
Equipment location planning. Every low-voltage system needs a home base — a structured media panel, equipment rack, or closet where cables terminate, switches and hubs live, and power is available. We design this space during planning so it is properly located, ventilated, and powered.
During the rough-in phase, we install the following while walls are open:
Low-voltage rough-in is a team effort, and clear coordination with your general contractor is essential for a smooth process:
Scheduling. We schedule our rough-in after framing is complete and inspected, but before insulation goes in. This window is typically one to two weeks, and we coordinate closely with your GC to lock in our installation dates.
Inspection readiness. Our low-voltage work is installed to meet inspection requirements. We ensure all cables are properly supported, penetrations are sealed, and our installation does not interfere with electrical, plumbing, or HVAC rough-in.
Change order management. Construction projects evolve. When the homeowner adds a room, changes window sizes, or decides to add speakers to the patio, we update our plans and adjust the scope. Clear communication prevents missed cables and wasted time.
Trim-out coordination. After drywall is up and painted, we return for trim-out — terminating cables, installing wall plates, mounting speakers, and connecting equipment. We schedule this with your GC so it aligns with other finish trades.
The cost of pulling an extra Cat6 cable during rough-in is minimal — typically $30 to $50 per run. The cost of opening a finished wall to retrofit that same cable is $300 to $800. We recommend running cables to locations you might use in the next 5 to 10 years, even if you do not plan to use them immediately.
Technology changes faster than homes do. Running empty conduit between your equipment closet and key rooms means you can pull future cable types that do not exist yet. Conduit between floors and to the attic is especially valuable.
Hardwired ceiling-mounted wireless access points provide far better coverage than a single router. We pre-wire Cat6 to optimal ceiling locations so you can install enterprise-grade Wi-Fi access points now or later. Most homes need 2 to 4 access points for complete coverage.
Even if you do not own an electric vehicle today, running conduit from your electrical panel to the garage now costs under $200. Installing a dedicated EV charger circuit after the house is finished costs $1,500 to $3,000 or more. The conduit pays for itself if you ever go electric.
While every project is custom, most homeowners choose from these common configurations:
Basic Structured Wiring Package. Cat6 network drops to each bedroom, office, and living area. Coax to primary TV locations. Structured media panel with patch panel and network switch. Ceiling access point locations. This package provides the foundation for reliable internet, streaming, and smart home connectivity throughout the home.
Entertainment Package. Basic structured wiring plus in-ceiling speaker wiring for multi-room audio, surround sound pre-wire for the media room, subwoofer cable, and HDMI conduit runs. This package is for homeowners who want distributed audio and a proper home theater experience.
Full Smart Home Package. Everything in the entertainment package plus motorized shade power feeds to all specified windows, security camera runs to 4 to 8 exterior locations, video doorbell wiring, smart lighting control infrastructure with keypad locations, and central vacuum rough-in. This is the comprehensive package for homeowners building with home automation in mind.
Custom Package. We design a scope that matches your specific needs and budget. Want network cabling and camera wiring but not speakers? Need shade power in the master bedroom but not the guest rooms? We build the package around your priorities.
Low-voltage rough-in pricing depends on the scope and complexity of your project:
We provide detailed, itemized quotes after reviewing your plans and completing the design consultation. Rough-in pricing is typically a fraction of what the same work would cost as a retrofit after the home is finished.
We provide low-voltage rough-in services for new construction and major remodels throughout Aiken County:
Professional low-voltage rough-in for new construction and major remodels. Network cabling, speaker wire, motorized shade power, security cameras, and smart lighting control wiring. Free design consultations for Aiken homeowners and builders.
See also our Smart Home Wiring, Data & Network Cabling, Whole-Home Lighting Control, Security Camera Wiring, and Home Theater Wiring services.
