Project Timeline Guide
How Long Does a Commercial Network Cabling Installation Take in Glendale?
A few new drops can be done in a day. A full floor or multi-floor build-out can take several weeks. Here’s what a typical commercial cabling timeline looks like in Glendale, what makes projects take longer, and how to keep your installation on schedule.
The Short Answer
How long a cabling installation takes depends on the number of drops, the type of cable, how easy it is to reach ceilings and walls, and the rules of the building. On-site work is only part of the timeline. Planning, approvals, and materials come first, and testing and documentation come at the end.
At Network Cabling Company Glendale, we give every client a written schedule after the site walk, covering each phase from approvals to handoff, so there are no surprises on move-in day.
| Project size | Typical scope | Typical on-site time |
|---|---|---|
| A few drops | 1–5 new drops or moves | A few hours to 1 day |
| Small office or clinic | 10–25 drops and a wall cabinet | 1–3 days |
| Mid-size office suite | 25–75 drops, access points, and a rack | 3 days to 2 weeks |
| Large floor | 75–200 drops, cameras, and access control | 1–3 weeks |
| Multi-floor tenant improvement | 200+ drops, fiber backbone, multiple telecom rooms | 3–8 weeks or more, following the construction schedule |
| Fiber backbone only | Fiber links between telecom rooms or buildings | 1–3 days, including testing |
These are general ranges for projects with reasonable access. Your timeline will depend on the conditions found during the site walk.
The Phases of a Cabling Project
| Phase | What happens | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Site walk and scope | Review the space, count drops, and confirm building rules | A few days to a week |
| Approvals | Landlord review, insurance certificates, permits if required | A few days to several weeks |
| Materials | Order cable, racks, patch panels, and fiber components | Often in stock; specialty items can take longer |
| Rough-in and pathways | Install supports, sleeves, boxes, and pull strings | Part of the on-site schedule |
| Cable pulling | Run cable from each outlet to the rack | Usually the largest share of on-site time |
| Termination | Terminate jacks, patch panels, and fiber | Follows pulling, often area by area |
| Testing and labeling | Certify every run and label every port | Usually 1–3 days for most projects |
| Documentation and handoff | Deliver test reports and as-built records | Shortly after testing |
What Makes a Project Take Longer
Two projects with the same drop count can have very different schedules. In Glendale, building type is often the biggest factor. Brand Boulevard and downtown office towers usually require landlord approval, after-hours work for noisy tasks, freight elevator bookings, and sometimes escorts into shared telecom rooms. Older buildings along Central Avenue and San Fernando Road can have crowded ceilings, plaster walls, and old cable that has to be removed.
Occupied offices also take longer than empty spaces, since work has to be phased around staff and scheduled to avoid disrupting operations.
Common causes of delays
- Waiting on landlord or property management approval.
- After-hours-only work windows.
- Hard-lid ceilings or no ceiling access.
- Concrete, block, or plaster walls.
- Abandoned cable that must be removed first.
- Other trades running behind schedule.
- Scope changes after work begins.
- Occupied spaces that must be phased.
How Cable Type Affects the Timeline
The cable you choose changes how long each run takes. Cat6A is thicker and heavier than Cat6, so it takes longer to pull, dress, and terminate, and it needs more pathway space. Fiber requires specialized termination or splicing and careful handling. Both are well worth the time for high-speed connections, but they should be built into the schedule from the start.
If you’re still deciding which cable to use for desks, access points, and backbones, our guide on what type of network cabling is best for high-speed business networks compares the options for each part of the network.
Cabling During a Build-Out or Tenant Improvement
In new construction or a tenant improvement, cabling follows the construction schedule rather than a fixed number of days. The work happens in stages, coordinated with the general contractor and other trades.
- Rough-in while walls are open. Boxes, rings, sleeves, and pull strings go in before drywall.
- Pull cable before ceilings close. Runs are installed while the ceiling grid is open.
- Install the rack or telecom room. Racks, patch panels, and cable managers go in once the room is ready.
- Terminate after painting. Jacks and faceplates are installed after finishes to keep them clean.
- Test before move-in. Every run is certified, with time left to fix any failures.
- Hand off before equipment arrives. Documentation is delivered so IT can install switches and access points.
Don’t Forget Your Internet Service
Your internet provider’s installation is separate from your cabling project, and it often takes longer. New business fiber or dedicated circuits can take several weeks or more to install, especially if the carrier needs to build into the building. Order service as early as possible, and make sure the rack or telecom room is ready for the carrier’s equipment before their install date.
How to Keep Your Project on Schedule
- Book the site walk early. A clear scope is the foundation of an accurate schedule.
- Start approvals right away. Get landlord approval, insurance certificates, and any permits moving before the start date.
- Finalize the drop count. Changes after work begins add time and cost.
- Clear access to work areas. Move furniture and equipment away from walls, ceilings, and the rack.
- Coordinate with other trades. Share the schedule with the general contractor, electrician, and IT provider.
- Order internet service early. Don’t let the carrier become the last item holding up move-in.
Can Reusing Existing Cable Shorten the Timeline?
Sometimes. If the cable already in your space is the right category, in good condition, and passes certification testing, reusing some of it can reduce the number of new runs and shorten the schedule. The catch is that unlabeled or untested cable often takes time to trace and evaluate, and cable that fails testing still has to be replaced.
Testing the existing plant early in the project gives you a clear answer before the schedule is set. Learn more about whether existing network cabling can be reused during an office network upgrade and how to decide what to keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to install one network drop?
A single drop with easy ceiling access can often be installed, terminated, and tested in an hour or two. Difficult routes, hard ceilings, or building restrictions can add time.
Can cabling be installed while my office is open?
Yes. Work is usually phased by area and scheduled after hours where needed, so staff can keep working with minimal disruption.
Why does after-hours work affect the timeline?
After-hours windows are shorter than a full workday, so the same amount of work spreads across more days. Many Glendale office buildings require noisy or disruptive work to happen after hours.
How long does testing take?
For most projects, certification testing and labeling take one to three days after installation, depending on the number of runs.
When should cabling be scheduled during a build-out?
Rough-in happens while walls are open, cable is pulled before ceilings close, and termination and testing happen after painting and before move-in.
How far in advance should I plan a cabling project?
For a small office, a few weeks is often enough. For larger floors, tenant improvements, or buildings with strict approval processes, start planning one to three months ahead.
Get a Realistic Schedule for Your Project
We’ll walk your Glendale space, review the building’s rules, and give you a written scope and schedule covering every phase, from approvals to testing and documentation.
Call (424) 203-4572 or request a site walk online.
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