Cabling and wiring pricing

Installing structured cabling requires a large up-front investment. Quality cabling and wiring systems can last three times as long as typical computing equipment for just a fraction of your IT budget. See what other BuyerZone users paid for their cabling and wiring.

Most cabling and wiring vendors charge for each location (or “drop” or “end point”) where you need voice and data connections. The costs can vary greatly, from $100 to $500 per drop, depending on the number of connections you need, the type of cabling you choose, and any additional installed equipment.

Other vendors may provide a total project cost. For example, a vendor installing 75 drops for a small business may charge $15,000 to $22,500 for the entire project. If the company needs additional drops beyond that, they could pay a per-drop rate as long as it’s added to the spec document before the work begins.

Your current wiring status will also have a big impact on your costs. Work done in new construction or existing construction with reliable outlets carries a lower total cost. Installations that need to completely gut and rewire a messy setup will be at the higher end of the pricing spectrum. Regardless of the complexity of the job, you can expect per-drop costs to dip as the total number of drops increases.

Your rates can also differ depending on how easy it is for vendors to install the wiring. If your installers can easily access conduits or ceiling plenums, you’ll pay considerably less per drop than projects that require pulling cables through attics or tight crawl spaces.

The vendor should stand behind all the work and installed equipment with a warranty. A typical cabling and wiring warranty guarantees your infrastructure for five to 10 years. The specifications document should detail what the warranty will cover, including response times, additional materials, testing and labeling, and travel costs.

Review pricing details in the spec document
One benefit to a cabling and wiring project is that the spec document details everything you’ll need. When you receive a quote, it should include itemized pricing and material quantities as well as information about installation, labeling, and testing of all components. The document will explain the scope of the work and if any labor or materials aren’t included in the costs — typically such nominal extras as conduits, sleeves, or paint, or special wiring like fiber optics or coaxial cables.

As mentioned in choosing a vendor, it’s crucial to carefully review the spec document before the vendor begins work. The document details the manpower and labor hours necessary to complete a job for the price quoted. If you request add-ons or changes, the vendor can charge as much as double the original estimates. One helpful tip is to plan ahead — have the vendor pull additional lines or add more connections now to plan for future growth and avoid these hefty costs.

Most cabling projects also require you to pay in advance for supplies and equipment that are delivered to your worksite prior to installation. After installation and testing, you pay the balance of the project costs.