Tenant improvement cabling: plan around existing.
TI cabling projects work within existing building infrastructure — MDF/IDF locations are fixed, pathways are pre-existing, sometimes prior tenant's cabling is in place. Here's how we approach TI cabling scope.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Tenant improvement cabling involves: assessment of existing cabling (often left by prior tenant, varying quality and age), MDF/IDF coordination with property manager, new cabling for tenant-specific layout, work area drops at desk locations, support for typical office equipment (workstations, APs, phones, printers), and documentation handover to tenant IT. Scope varies 10-150 drops typically. Cost $150-$300 per drop installed.
01What changes between TI cabling and new construction cabling.
Tenant improvement cabling operates within constraints that new construction doesn't have. MDF and IDF locations are fixed by building infrastructure — tenant moves into a suite with pre-determined network closet locations. Pathways (conduit, cable tray, plenum routing) are often pre-existing and not always optimal for new tenant layout. Prior tenants frequently leave cabling in place; quality varies wildly — sometimes useful, sometimes better demolished and replaced. Coordination with property manager on building rules, demolition scope, and pathway use is typical TI project scope.
TI projects typically have aggressive timelines (lease commitment dates, occupancy dates, IT readiness for move-in). Cabling sits late in the construction sequence (after framing/drywall, before furniture install) and any delay cascades to occupancy. We schedule TI cabling work tightly with general contractor's framing and drywall sequence, coordinate access during work hours when possible, and provide accurate scope estimates upfront to avoid schedule surprises.
02Typical TI cabling scope.
Work area drops
Each desk or workstation gets typical 2-3 Cat6a drops (computer, phone if separate, optional). Open-office areas get higher drop density (every workstation); private offices may have lower density but include conference table drops, etc. Typical 30-employee office: 80-120 drops total.
Wi-Fi access point cabling
PoE++ Cat6a runs to ceiling-mounted AP locations. Density varies: light coverage 1 AP per 1,500-2,500 sq ft; high-density (open office, conference-heavy) 1 AP per 750-1,500 sq ft. Modern Wi-Fi 6E/7 deployments often higher density than older Wi-Fi.
Special-purpose drops
Server room rack drops, printer/MFP locations, video conferencing rooms, kitchen/break room IoT devices, security cameras (if part of tenant scope vs building-provided). Each special location adds 1-4 drops depending on equipment.
03Cost and timeline for typical Marin TI cabling.
Marin TI cabling cost: $150-$300 per drop installed depending on cable category, drop complexity, pathway requirements. Typical 30-employee office (80-120 drops, 6-10 APs, printer/server drops): $15,000-$35,000 total. Cost includes cable, faceplates, jacks, termination, testing, and documentation. Excludes network equipment (switches, APs, etc.) which tenant typically procures separately.
Timeline for typical TI cabling: 1-3 weeks of work over project duration, with most work happening late in framing/early drywall phase (cable pulling) and post-drywall before furniture (work area termination and testing). Coordinated with GC's master schedule. We commit specific cable pulling and termination dates after framing is in place.
Common questions.
Should I reuse the prior tenant's cabling?
Sometimes — depends on cabling age, quality, and current category. Cat6 cabling installed in the last 5-8 years in good condition may be reusable. Cat5e cabling (older) typically should be replaced for new Cat6a structured cabling. Plenum-rated cable in proper pathways is reusable; cable run informally without proper pathway typically isn't. We assess existing cabling during pre-TI walkthrough and recommend reuse/replace per drop.
How many drops do I need per desk?
Modern recommendations: 2-3 drops per workstation. Two for primary use (computer + dock or computer + phone), one for redundancy/expansion. For Wi-Fi-first offices with VoIP softphones, single drop per workstation works fine. For hybrid environments, 2 drops gives flexibility. Discuss specific scope during planning based on equipment and work patterns.
What about pre-existing pathways?
Building pathways (cable tray, plenum, conduit, J-hooks) are typically property of building owner and shared across tenants. TI cabling reuses building pathways with property manager approval. Major new pathway installation is sometimes scope — coordinated with building infrastructure changes during TI buildout. For most TIs, existing pathways accommodate scope without major additions.
Who owns the cabling at lease end?
Varies by lease terms. Common: TI cabling installed during build-out is considered tenant improvement and becomes part of the building (landlord owns at lease end). Some leases require tenant to remove TI cabling at lease end (rare for cabling specifically). Review specific lease terms with attorney; budget for either outcome at lease planning stage.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
Talk to a licensed electrician in Marin.
Family-run, C-10 #989290, 20+ years in the trade. Honest scoping, fair pricing, work that lasts.