Office TI electrical: the most standardized commercial scope.
Office TI electrical is the most standardized commercial scope we do — workstations, conference rooms, AV closets, low-voltage backbone, code-compliant lighting controls. Predictable cost per sq ft and timeline.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Office TI electrical in Marin runs $12-$22/sq ft typical 2026 pricing — the most standardized commercial scope we handle. Standard scope includes workstation duplex outlets at code-compliant spacing, conference room outlet and AV provisions, lighting design with Title 24-compliant occupancy sensors and daylight harvesting, kitchenette and break room circuits, low-voltage cabling backbone (Cat6a typically), network closet infrastructure, restroom electrical, code-compliant emergency lighting. Total electrical scope for typical 5,000 sq ft Marin office TI: $60,000-$110,000.
01What standard office TI electrical includes.
Workstation electrical: duplex outlets at code-required spacing (typically 12-foot rule for general use plus dedicated outlets for printers, workstation peripherals), USB charging outlets in conference rooms, surge protection on dedicated workstation circuits. Conference room electrical: dedicated AV outlets, conference table outlet/USB integration when specified, motorized screen and projector power, lighting controls integrated with AV system. Most modern office TIs have 6-15 conference rooms; each with similar electrical scope.
Lighting design and controls: LED panel lighting throughout open office areas, accent lighting in conference rooms, task lighting at workstations (sometimes integrated, sometimes user-provided), occupancy sensors per Title 24 requirements, daylight harvesting in spaces with window exposure, central lighting control panel for scheduling and monitoring. Kitchenette electrical: refrigerator dedicated circuit, microwave dedicated circuit, coffee equipment circuits (often dedicated for high-amperage espresso machines), under-cabinet lighting. AV closet/network closet electrical: dedicated 20A circuit for network equipment, conditioned power if specified, ventilation power, structured cabling backbone termination.
02Where office TI scope can vary.
Conference room density and AV integration
Office layouts with many conference rooms or sophisticated AV integration scale up scope. Modern offices typically have 1 conference room per 8-15 employees; AV scope per room varies from basic outlets to full integrated AV systems with motorized screens, in-ceiling speakers, etc.
Network closet sophistication
Simple office network closets (rack with switch, UPS, basic cable management) are modest scope. Sophisticated network closets (multiple racks, climate control, structured cabling to 100+ workstations, integration with telecom carriers) add meaningful scope. Discuss network architecture during planning.
Smart office features
Modern offices increasingly include smart lighting (Lutron HomeWorks or commercial equivalents), automated window shades, IoT integration, energy monitoring. Adding these capabilities increases scope 20-40% over standard office TI but delivers operational and energy management value over time.
03How we approach office TI projects.
Pre-construction coordination with architect, designer, GC, and tenant. We review architectural drawings, identify electrical scope requirements, coordinate with mechanical (HVAC) and plumbing on shared pathways, contribute to design decisions affecting electrical (workstation layouts, lighting zones, AV integration). Most office TIs benefit from electrical contractor involvement during design phase, not just execution phase.
Execution: pre-construction permits and plan review (parallel with framing), rough-in during framing (1-3 weeks on-site), trim during finishes (1-2 weeks), final connections and commissioning (1 week). We coordinate inspection scheduling with AHJ to integrate with GC's overall schedule. Standard office TI electrical timeline 6-10 weeks from rough-in start to final inspection.
Common questions.
What does office TI electrical typically cost?
Marin 2026: $12-$22 per square foot for standard office TI electrical scope. For 5,000 sq ft typical Marin office: $60,000-$110,000 total electrical scope. Variance drivers: conference room count and AV integration complexity, network closet sophistication, smart office features, lighting design ambition. Most standard offices land in the middle of the range; offices with significant tech integration or premium finishes push higher.
How long does office TI take?
Active electrical work 4-6 weeks distributed across the project; total office TI calendar 12-18 weeks. Electrical critical path: rough-in during framing (1-3 weeks), trim during drywall/finishes (1-2 weeks), final connections (1 week). Office TI moves faster than restaurant TI because fewer specialty trades to coordinate.
Should we include smart features?
Depends on operational ambition and budget. Smart lighting (Lutron HomeWorks or commercial), occupancy-based control, automated shades, energy monitoring, IoT integration all deliver operational value over time. Adds 20-40% to electrical scope cost; payback varies. For tenants on 7+ year leases, smart features often deliver positive ROI through energy savings and operational improvements.
Do you coordinate with our network/IT contractor?
Yes — most office TIs split scope between us (line voltage, dedicated circuits, network closet electrical infrastructure) and a network/IT contractor (data cabling, active network equipment, telecom carrier coordination). We coordinate on rough-in (pathway sharing, conduit routing), commission together. Some clients prefer single-contractor approach where we handle both line voltage and structured cabling; we offer that capability where appropriate.
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.