Whenever I have to install drywall I mark the location of electric receptacles with a 4-ft. gypboard T-square. I set the square on the floor, T down as shown in the drawing, and I mark the position of the receptacle sides on the subfloor. I also measure the top and bottom edges of the box and write these numbers down on the floor next to the side marks. I do this throughout the room before any wallboard goes up. The only exceptions are receptacles that will fall at joints between sheets of drywall, which can be cut out in place.
Then I put up my drywall right over the boxes and tack the sheets in place. Next, I transfer the coordinates I wrote on the floor earlier to the tacked-up drywall, cut out the receptacle openings with a utility knife, and nail off the panels completely.
—Ed Kroger, Cincinnati, OH
Edited and illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #18
