Rewiring an entire house may seem like an overwhelming task, but with careful planning and preparation, it can actually be done in just one weekend even on a tight budget. As someone who has rewired my small 2-bedroom house in a weekend, I want to share my experience and tips to help you complete this major DIY project efficiently and affordably.
Assess and Plan Out Your Electrical Needs
The first step is to thoroughly assess your home's electrical system and usage needs.
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Walk through each room and make notes on where you need outlets, switches, lighting fixtures etc. Consider how you use the space now and any future needs.
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Map out a basic wiring plan showing the locations of the electrical panel, outlets, switches and fixtures. Mark distances between things.
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Research your local building codes for any requirements on the type and amount of wiring needed. Common requirements are having grounded outlets in certain rooms, like kitchens and bathrooms.
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Decide if you want to add more circuits. More circuits allow you to balance electrical load better. I added 2 new 20 amp circuits which cost a little more upfront but improves safety and convenience.
Thorough planning makes the rewiring go smoothly and ensures you get the functionality you need.
Purchase Supplies and Tools
Once you've mapped out your wiring plan, make a list of all the electrical supplies you will need.
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For wiring, estimate the length you need and buy more than enough. I bought 200 feet of 12/2 NM cable which covers the average small home. Get a variety of lengths of wire strippers, screwdrivers, pliers etc.
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For the panel, purchase enough breakers for current and new circuits. You may need a larger panel if adding several new circuits.
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Get wall plates, switches, outlets and other fixtures. Buy more than you think you need in case of breakage or needing more down the road.
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A voltage tester is essential for safely checking wires.
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Label maker and markers help organize all the wires at the panel.
Shop sales and sources like Craigslist to get quality electrical supplies at a fraction of retail prices. With some deal hunting, I got all the wire, panels, breakers and supplies needed for under $150.
Safety First! Turn Off Power at the Panel
Before touching any wiring, the power must be turned OFF at the main panel breaker. I also recommend turning off the power at least a day before you start working so all wiring is de-energized.
Make 100% sure power is off by testing with a non-contact voltage tester on multiple wires. Safety is absolutely paramount when dealing with electrical systems.
I actually switched off power a full 48 hours prior just to be ultra safe. The family camped out with no electricity or I could have used a small generator.
Remove Old Wiring
With the power safely off, now you can start ripping out old wiring.
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Remove light switches and outlets from walls and take note of which wires are connected.
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Detach wires from fixtures. Cap ends of wires as you remove so they don't touch.
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Pull wires out of walls. This may require cutting holes in drywall at key points to access wires.
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Carefully pull wires out of the panel and label each as you disconnect them.
Take care not to damage walls and be cautious of hazards like old knob-and-tube wiring. Removing the old wiring is dirty work but very satisfying!
Run New Wires
The fun part begins! Time to run all the beautiful new wiring.
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Neatly organize wires coming off the new panel using zip ties and wire labels.
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Fish new cables between walls. Use fish tape to easily pull wires through cavities. Drill new holes if needed.
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Staple cable every 4-6 feet for support as you go. Use metal protector plates when running wire through studs.
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Pull about 6 inches of extra wire at each box to work with.
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Avoid running wire parallel to plumbing pipes which can cause interference.
Take it slowly and be methodical. Having an assistant makes this process much easier.
Install Devices and Fixtures
As the new wires are run everywhere they need to go, start installing:
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Outlets and switches into wall boxes. Attach the wires properly using wire nuts.
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Light fixtures by connecting wires and mounting.
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Test each device and fixture as you go to confirm proper installation.
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Ensure wires are stuffed back neatly into boxes with no exposed wire.
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Attach wall plates and covers.
Double check connections to be sure you have tight and complete contact between wires. Consult wiring diagrams as needed. This is another area having a helper speeds things up tremendously.
Update the Main Panel
With all new circuits run, it's time to wire everything back to the main panel.
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Attach all ground wires to main ground bar.
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Connect hot wires to their designated breakers. Follow labels or color coding.
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Connect neutral wires to the neutral bar.
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Ensure you have compatible wire gauge and breaker amperage.
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Organize and tie up wires neatly. This maintains safety.
Take pictures of the finished panel for your records. Now the moment of truth arrives...
Restore Power and Test
You've made it to the home stretch!
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Turn the main breaker back on to restore power.
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One by one, flip on each circuit breaker and test outlets, lights and devices on that circuit.
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Troubleshoot anything not working. Check for loose wires or faulty connections.
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Verify proper grounding using a tester.
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Celebrate once all circuits are energized and working! You did it!
Expect this testing process to take a few hours for a whole house. But once everything checks out, you can finally relax and enjoy your rewired home.
Finish Up Drywall Patches and Cleanup
With the dirty work done, just a few finishing touches:
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Patch up any holes or damaged drywall. Simple spackle and paint makes it look good as new.
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Thoroughly clean up any dust or debris from the wiring work.
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Have a celebratory beer and admire your major DIY accomplishment!
Following good planning and safety procedures, you really can rewire an entire house yourself in a weekend. The effort saves thousands of dollars in electrician fees. More importantly, you gain upgraded electrical systems and the satisfaction of tackling a huge project.