Network cabling
Structured cabling and network cabling installation
Cat6, Cat6A and fiber designed, installed, labeled and certified by WCC for offices, warehouses, schools and hospitals across California. Every run tested and documented.
The short answer
WCC designs the cable plant, builds the closets and pathways, pulls and terminates every run, and hands over certified test results and as-builts. Cat6 typically runs $150 to $400 per drop installed in Southern California, Cat6A $225 to $500, with closets and backbone priced on top.
What we deliver
Cabling services, design to certification
Intermittent drops, slow links and unexplained outages usually trace back to the cable plant, not the switch. And cabling problems are expensive to fix once the walls are closed.
We design it right, test every run and leave documentation your IT team can actually use.
Horizontal cabling. Cat6 and Cat6A to workstations, access points, cameras and access control, routed, terminated and labeled.
Backbone. Fiber and copper between the MDF and IDFs and between buildings.
Telecom rooms. Racks, patch panels, cable management, grounding and labeling, organized from day one.
Pathways. Cable tray, J-hooks, conduit and firestopping at rated walls and floors.
Testing and remediation. Certification on every run, abandoned cable removal and as-builts for inherited plants.
Cable types
Which cable fits each run
| Cable | Performance | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cat6 | 1 Gb at 100 m, 10 Gb to about 55 m | Most offices, phones, cameras, access control and Wi-Fi 6 access points |
| Cat6A | 10 Gb at the full 100 m | Wi-Fi 6E and 7 access points, healthcare imaging, new construction |
| Multimode fiber (OM4) | Backbone runs inside a building | MDF to IDF links and data centers |
| Single-mode fiber (OS2) | Long distances | Building-to-building and campus backbones |
Cat5e is still sold but saves only a few dollars per drop. We don't recommend it for new work.
Cost
What structured cabling costs
$150–$400
per Cat6 drop installed
Cat6A runs $225 to $500 per drop and fiber $350 to $900 per run. Racks, backbone and pathways sit on top, so a 24-drop office typically lands between $5,700 and $11,900 all-in.
See full examples in the cabling cost guide.
- Ceilings and walls
- Open ceilings are fastest; hard lids, concrete and fishing finished walls add labor.
- Cable category
- Cat6A is thicker and slower to pull and terminate than Cat6.
- Closets and backbone
- More IDFs mean more racks, panels and fiber.
- Pathways and firestopping
- New tray, conduit and rated penetrations add cost.
- Labor rules
- Prevailing wage on public work and union buildings raise labor rates.
Project types
New construction, tenant improvement or cleanup?
New construction
Pathways, sleeves and rooms coordinated with the GC and electrician before walls close, then cabled on schedule.
Fits ground-up buildings and campuses
Tenant improvement
Cabling for a new or remodeled suite, reusing the building's risers and backbone where they're sound.
Fits office moves and expansions
Cleanup and upgrade
Abandoned cable removed, runs labeled and tested, racks re-dressed and as-builts produced.
Fits inherited or messy closets
Why WCC
Why organizations choose WCC for cabling
Cheap cabling quotes skip the testing, the labels and the paperwork. That's what you need most when something breaks three years later.
Designed by an RCDD. Cable plants are designed under a BICSI Registered Communications Distribution Designer.
Every run certified. TIA test results for every copper and fiber run, delivered at closeout.
Documentation IT can use. Both ends labeled, patch panel records, rack elevations and as-builts.
Licensed since 2003. CSLB #819788 with C-7, C-10 and C-28 classifications.
How a cabling project runs
- Week 1Site walkDrop counts, pathways and closet locations.
- Week 2DesignCable schedule, rack layouts and labeling plan.
- Week 2–3ProposalScope, materials, schedule and price.
- InstallInstallationPulling, termination, dressing and labeling.
- CloseoutCertificationTest reports and as-built drawings.
Services
Cabling services in detail
Cabling guides and related services
Pricing, technical guides and related services from the team that installs it.
By region: Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire and San Diego.
FAQ
Network cabling questions
How much does structured cabling cost per drop?
In Southern California, Cat6 typically runs $150 to $400 per drop installed, Cat6A $225 to $500, and fiber $350 to $900 per run. Racks, patch panels, backbone and pathways are priced on top, so a small office often lands around $240 to $500 per drop all-in. See the cabling cost guide for full examples.
Should we install Cat6 or Cat6A?
Cat6 handles most offices, phones, cameras and access control, carrying 1 Gb at 100 meters and 10 Gb to about 55 meters. Cat6A carries 10 Gb the full 100 meters and is the better choice for Wi-Fi 6E and 7 access points and new construction meant to last 15 years or more. See Cat6 vs Cat6A.
How is cabling tested?
Every copper run is certified with a Fluke DSX or equivalent tester against TIA-568 standards, and fiber gets loss and OTDR testing. You receive the full test report at closeout, which is also what manufacturer warranties require.
Do you work on new construction and tenant improvements?
Yes. We coordinate with the general contractor and electrician so pathways, sleeves and backboxes are in place before walls close, then pull, terminate and test on the construction schedule.
What is the difference between an MDF and an IDF?
The MDF is the main telecom room where outside lines and the core network live. IDFs are smaller closets on each floor or wing that collect nearby cable runs and connect back to the MDF over backbone cable, usually fiber.
Is a low-voltage license required in California?
Yes. Commercial low-voltage work in California calls for a licensed contractor. WCC holds CSLB license #819788 with C-7 low voltage, C-10 electrical and C-28 lock and security classifications. See low-voltage contractor.
Does prevailing wage affect cabling cost?
Yes. Public projects in California require prevailing wage, which raises labor cost compared with private work, and many high-rise buildings in downtown Los Angeles require union labor.
Can you clean up an existing cable mess?
Yes. We remove abandoned cable, label and test existing runs, re-dress racks and patch panels, and produce as-built drawings so your IT team can see what they have.
Related
Related guides and services
Get a recommendation
Get a cabling assessment
An engineer walks your site, counts drops, maps pathways and closets, and returns a line-item quote.