ᐅ No Quote for Electrical Work – Does Construction Need to Be Halted?

Hello everyone,

We are building with an architect using separate contracts and have just started the structural shell phase. Unfortunately, we are already facing a dilemma. So far, we have received multiple quotes for all trades except for electrical work. Since we have no time pressure regarding moving in, this wasn't a big issue for us, as we planned to leave the shell, including windows, to dry for four weeks. However, our architect now says this won’t really work because some electrical conduits need to be cast into the concrete ceiling. Since the electrician is missing, this would mean stopping the entire structural shell work.

Questions:
- I assumed that electrical cables would be laid on top of the concrete slabs below the screed. Do some conduits really have to be embedded in the concrete ceiling, or are there alternatives?
- Does anyone have experience with nationwide electrical contractors? Are there companies that would travel several kilometers for a single-family home project?

Do you have any advice on how we can best resolve this situation?

Thanks in advance

Phew.

Who planned your ceiling outlets for the riser shafts of the pipes? And who installed the foundation grounding?

More importantly: do you have an electrical plan?

I’m amazed that your architect allowed you to start without involving an electrician at all.
In my personal opinion, it’s difficult to install wiring for lights or other ceiling outlets after the ceilings are completed. Sure, you could mount a lot on the ceiling surface (which becomes a real problem when insulating under the underfloor heating) or use suspended ceilings, but I would find it too risky that something could go wrong that way.

Edit: we have installed EVERYTHING inside the ceiling ourselves except for a single empty conduit.

Harakiri. Have you tried calling an electrician yourself? For this trade, you'll be lucky to find one.

No, we haven’t contacted anyone ourselves yet. However, we will do so.

Recessed lighting fixtures, outlets, and ceiling openings have been planned by the architect.

What absolutely must be installed in the ceiling? We have a retired master electrician friend. He is reluctant to take on the entire house, but if necessary, it might be an option to have him install at least the essential items in the ceiling.

The wiring for the spotlights and lamps must be installed before pouring the concrete ceilings! How else is that going to work? You can’t install anything on the exposed concrete ceiling, and drilling afterwards is a huge effort.

Find an electrical contractor as soon as possible.

For one of the general contractors we interviewed, drilling afterward is significantly more cost-effective than embedding boxes in concrete or drilling only into the precast slab.