Once the drywall is installed, taped, and painted, the cabinets placed, tile laid, and all the fixtures are on site the systems finishing stage begins. You will call back your electrician, plumber, and HVAC contractor to install the final pieces of each trade and complete the contracted work. You should hold back a reasonable portion of the contract payment until the finish work is completed to your satisfaction.

The HVAC finish work includes placing the fan units and condensers, charging the air conditioner if required, and placing the vent covers.

When you have received all your new electric fixtures, distribute them throughout the house, label where they are to be mounted, and call your electrician to return. At the end of the electric rough-in, your electrician likely left the home runs dangling, unconnected, at the breaker box. The electric finish consists of installing the appropriate sized circuit breakers, connecting all the wires, installing your fixtures, and powering the system. The electrician will also install the thermostats and power the condensers, so make sure that the heating and cooling units are in place.

Your plumber will return to install the plumbing fixtures after the cabinets and counters are in place. Verify that all the fixtures work, drain properly, and that valves don’t stick before releasing the final payment. The plumber will also connect the overflow pan for any HVAC units or washing machines on the second and third floors.