Trim-Out (Electrical)
CSI Division 26, Electrical
The later phase of electrical work, happening after drywall is finished and painted, when switches, outlets, light fixtures, and other devices are finally installed onto the wiring that was roughed in earlier, closing out the electrical scope.
Why it matters
Rough-in and trim-out are separated by a long gap in the schedule, often weeks, while drywall, texture, and paint happen in between, which means the wiring sits hidden and untested inside finished walls for a significant stretch of the project before anyone ever sees whether it actually works correctly.
On a real project
Once painting is complete, an electrician returns to a house to trim out every rough-in location, installing switches, outlets, and light fixtures onto the wiring that was left capped off behind the walls weeks earlier during rough-in.
Who this matters most to
An Electrician returns for trim-out as a distinct visit from rough-in, often a different stage of the same job scheduled much later once finishes are complete.
Where this goes wrong
A trim-out electrician discovers during final device installation that a rough-in connection behind the wall was never actually completed correctly. Since the wall has long since been finished and painted, tracing and fixing the problem now requires opening up a wall that was already considered done.