Since HVAC is so bulky and gets in every things way, I'd say HVAC, then plumbing then electrical. But none of it can be installed to completion if the electrical isn't there. So what's the design order? Construction order? Seems HVAC would be first in design, but electrical first in construction. Plumbing?

design: hvac, plumbing, electrical
construction: electrical, plumbing, hvac?

see, that's the stuff O/B sites never really discuss.

Plumbing goes first. You need to be able to grade lines downhill therefore can't work around hvac pipes. Normally electrical is last as they can go anywhere.

It may look like plumbing should go first but with proper planning, plumbing lines do not have to violate the HVAC chase.  Been there and done that and the plumbing waste lines still flowed downhill.  My main point is that space for electrical, plumbing and HVAC lines should be planned.  It should not be up to the first trades person on site to have eminent domain.

Posted By Alton on 07 Feb 2011 07:04 PM
It may look like plumbing should go first but with proper planning, plumbing lines do not have to violate the HVAC chase.  Been there and done that and the plumbing waste lines still flowed downhill.  My main point is that space for electrical, plumbing and HVAC lines should be planned.  It should not be up to the first trades person on site to have eminent domain.

I certainly was not disagreeing with your "proper planning" comment. For me that's a given. You still have to call the trades in some order and after 40 years I still prefer the plumber first.

No question, when we get to doing this house, I'll be having the MEP+FN get together for a planning session and have them all work out their paths.

MEP+FN = MEP + Fire Sprinklers + Networking. I think MEP doesn't cover it anymore.

Although I'm curious about a whole house "central" utility chase.

IF you want to be able to repair stuff down the road, accessible chases are very nice.
I built in a 3X3 ft vertical chase into the adjoining wall between the bathroom and kitchen. It contains ducts for the intakes for the ERV, pipes for the solar water heater, main plumbing stack, and the pex tubing to the kitchen sink, refrigerator icemaker, bathroom sink. The chase is accessible by removing the back wall of a closet.
The key to happiness is a very well thought out layout where every thing has its places and paths planned out. This requires a lot of forward planning and knowing exactly what you are going to use for toilet, shower base, registers, returns etc so the locations don’t conflict with framing.
Once you have the initial framing plan, Have the HVAC indicate where the trunks and branches go, then have the plumber do the same, identifying any conflicts ahead of time. Electrical is last because it is the easiest to route. Keep all HVAC in conditioned space if at all possible. No plumbing in outside walls in a freezing climate.
I would go;
Framing Layout, HVAC Layout, Plumbing Layout, Gas piping layout electrical layout.
Foundation and framing,
Next put the roof on so it is dry, cut in the holes for the plumbing stacks, chimneys, etc while it is being roofed (Since you know where they go based on the layout). Put in windows and doors as soon as possible. Put in a temporary, crappy door, wherever the contractors are most likely to enter the house, since it is going to get banged up anyway, Use an electronic lock and give the contractors their own code.
Next is electrical meter installation, panel box, temp power, at least one outlet on each floor. If you have exterior stuff Lights etc now is the time to rough in those wires, prior to siding.
Then plumbing rough in, hvac rough in, electrical rough in. Get all the rough in inspections out of the way. Pour the basement slab and connect the septic system, but not if you have sewer.
The finish work can wait and can be done in any order as long as insulation and drywall are in.

Just one man's opinion though.

Eric

CJBUILD, FBBP and Eric,

I think your comments will be very helpful to the homeowner and builder.  Thanks to everyone for sharing their thoughts.  Good planning and knowledge can greatly reduce the type of problems that I have seen such as HVAC main lines below the ceiling because the chases did not line up or some other trade took the space before the HVAC contractor got to the site.