ᐅ When is the best time to connect utility services to the house?

Our house (a prefabricated timber frame construction) will, as you know, be assembled next week. In your opinion, when would be the best time to bring the utility lines into the house without damaging walls or tiled floors? We have a utility shaft; electricity, gas, water, sewage, and media lines are already on the property.

I thought it should be done right after the house is assembled (i.e., the shell), but my husband believes it should be done once the interior is fully finished.

For me, it was done more or less by chance after the interior plaster and screed. It could have been done before the screed as well. Before the interior plaster is rather impractical. I don’t think tiles need to be installed beforehand—what for? Painting beforehand doesn’t make much sense either. Yes, it’s easier to get behind the installations, but a lot will still get dirty afterward...

In my opinion, the earlier the better.
Having electricity and water on site is convenient during construction.

However, it also depends on the utility provider and the construction contract.
I would say most providers only supply them once the screed and plaster are at least completed.

RotorMotor schrieb:


I’d say most utility providers only proceed once the screed and plastering are completed.

In our case, it was said they could do it as soon as the shell construction is "closed" or lockable.
It was then done just a few days after the installation date.

@Pinkiponk: What does the builder recommend? I would follow that.

debaser schrieb:

At our place, they said they can do it as soon as the shell of the building is "closed" or lockable.
It was then done a few days after the installation date.

@Pinkiponk: What does the builder recommend? I would follow that.

He said starting one week after the installation date, but my husband and I interpret that differently.

debaser schrieb:

At our place back then, they said they could start once the shell of the building was "closed," meaning it could be locked up.
They then did it a few days after the installation date.

@Pinkiponk: What does the builder recommend? I would follow that.

Exactly, “lockable” is the key term. At least for the electrical connection. Otherwise, the utility connection is not allowed to be activated (at least here in NRW, but this probably applies everywhere).

I would also do it after the interior plastering (or drywall?) in the utility room/laundry room. The connections are screwed onto the wall.
With a timber frame construction and “only” drywall on the walls, often Fermacell or something similar is required behind the electrical connection for fire protection.