diff --git a/ts/dees-element.classes.dees-element.ts b/ts/dees-element.classes.dees-element.ts
index a28f11a..953363d 100644
--- a/ts/dees-element.classes.dees-element.ts
+++ b/ts/dees-element.classes.dees-element.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ export class DeesElement extends plugins.lit.LitElement {
 
   private themeSubscription: plugins.smartrx.rxjs.Subscription;
 
+  private elementDomReadyDeferred = plugins.domtools.plugins.smartpromise.defer();
+  public elementDomReady = this.elementDomReadyDeferred.promise;
+
   constructor() {
     super();
     this.domtoolsPromise.then((domtoolsArg) => {
@@ -29,6 +32,11 @@ export class DeesElement extends plugins.lit.LitElement {
     this.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('deesElementConnected'));
   }
 
+  public firstUpdated(_changedProperties: Map<string | number | symbol, unknown>): void {
+    super.firstUpdated(_changedProperties);
+    this.elementDomReadyDeferred.resolve();
+  }
+
   public async disconnectedCallback() {
     await this.domtoolsPromise;
     super.disconnectedCallback();