• Electrical boxes are mounted prior to drywall installation.electrical box image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  

Installing 'New Work' Electrical Boxes

• When installing "new work" electrical boxes, the face of the box should be approximately 1/2 inch forward of the face of the wall stud. By planning ahead, the electrical box will be flush with the 1/2-inch drywall installed after the electrical work is completed. Most new work boxes will have a gauge molded into the box to guide installation to the right depth.
  
  

Flush Installation

• By installing the electrical box flush with the stud face, the drywall can be quickly attached directly over the entire wall face. This option eliminates the need to cut the drywall for electrical boxes prior to installation. With the popularity of Roto-zip tools, the drywall can be easily cut out to access the boxes after the installation is complete.
  
  

Bottom Line

• Know the application and the tools available prior to installation of the electrical boxes. By planning in advance, the electrical boxes and subsequent drywall application will be completed smoothly, without the need to reinstall either.