Finishing a Basement? Here's the Electrical Plan Before Drywall Goes Up

Finishing a Basement? Here’s the Electrical Plan Before Drywall Goes Up

By John & Ryan Ihle

September 11,2026

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Basement finishing projects run into the same expensive mistake more often than any other: drywall goes up before the electrical plan is finished, and every change after that means cutting into new walls.

What to plan before framing

Outlet spacing to code (every 12 feet along a wall, plus code-required placement near doorways) — worth confirming even if your layout seems generous.
Egress window lighting and any required smoke/CO detectors for a basement that will include a bedroom.
Dedicated circuits for anything big going in: a home theater, a wet bar, a workshop area, a second refrigerator.
Panel capacity — a finished basement can add a dozen or more new circuits; confirm your panel has room before framing locks in the layout.

Rough-in happens before insulation and drywall

Wiring gets run and boxes get set during the rough-in stage, inspected, then covered by insulation and drywall. Once that inspection passes and the walls close up, changes get dramatically more expensive.

Planning a basement finish?

Three Rivers Electric works with Twin Cities homeowners and contractors from the planning stage so the electrical is right before the walls go up. QMerit-certified, licensed (EA761814), veteran-owned, 5.0★. Get a quote or call 651-418-1476.

John & Ryan Ihle

Three Rivers Electric is led by John Ihle and his nephew Ryan Ihle. John has worked in the electrical trade since 1977 and spent decades in renewable energy across Minnesota, co-founding iSolar Minnesota in 2019. Ryan grew up around the trade and now runs the day-to-day at Three Rivers Electric — the local crew Saint Paul Park homeowners have trusted for years. Together they launched Three Rivers Electric in 2025 as iSolar's dedicated electrical division: residential and commercial electrical, solar-ready wiring, batteries, generators, and EV charging, all handled by the same team from quote to cleanup.

Finishing a Basement? Here’s the Electrical Plan Before Drywall Goes Up