ORIGINAL: Gray Beard
Not sure how to answer that. I get the plane framed up in the bones then tape or somehow mount all the gear in different locations to get the CG, this includes the controls and control rods. Once I get close I hard mount everything. The plane is all set up and the controls are working. Then I remove everything that will get in the way and cover the plane. Some things like the aileron servos have to go in a set place but other controls have a lot of places they can go. Some planes are designed so you can only install gear in set places. Please tell me what number I should put my vote and I will do it. Covering is the very last thing I do.
I do the same as Gray Beard. Plane is ready to fly and checked out fully just sans covering. Then hardware comes off for covering. Works out better for me as there is never any chance of re-work that requires changes to covered surfaces.