How to Rewire Your Home Without Burning it Down: The Overlooked Basics Every Homeowner Should Know

Assess Your Electrical Needs

Before beginning any rewiring project, it's crucial to thoroughly assess your home's electrical needs. Take stock of all lighting, outlets, appliances and devices in each room. Consider how you use your home now and how usage might change in the coming years. For instance, if you plan to install a hot tub, electric vehicle charging station or other high-draw items, account for that additional power demand. Being realistic about your home's electrical requirements will ensure the new wiring is sufficient.

Research Local Electrical Codes

Electrical work must comply with local building codes and permitting requirements. Research your jurisdiction's electrical code and check if you need permits for the scope of work you intend to do. Some localities require permits even for minor electrical jobs. Understanding the code requirements ahead of time prevents having to redo non-compliant work later. I pored through our county's electrical code when rewiring my home, so I knew my work would pass inspection.

Turn Off Power and Use Caution

Before touching any wiring, the power must be turned off at the main circuit breaker panel. Verify power is off by testing outlets with a voltage tester. Even with the main breaker off, some wires may still be live, so work cautiously as if all wires are hot. I always double-check wires with a non-contact voltage tester before grabbing them. Accidental contact with live wires can result in severe burns or electrocution.

Select Appropriate Wire Gauge

Select the correct wire gauge based on the amperage rating of the circuit. For 15 amp circuits, use 14 gauge wire; 20 amp circuits need 12 gauge wire. Oversizing the wire gauge provides a safety margin. Undersized wire can overheat, melt insulation and cause fires. I erred on the side of caution and used 12 gauge for nearly everything when I rewired my home. The heavier gauge wire cost a bit more but allowed room to increase capacity later if needed.

Use Proper Wiring Techniques

Employing sound wiring techniques is vital. Make tight connections with wire nuts or crimp connectors. Keep wiring neat and secure with straps. When stapling cable, avoid over-tightening. Leave a little slack at connections to minimize strain. Adhere strictly to electrical box fill limits, as overstuffed boxes are fire hazards. Although proper techniques take a little longer upfront, they yield safe and reliable wiring.

Inspect Work Thoroughly

Meticulously inspect all work before turning the power back on. Check for loose connections, stray strands of copper at connections and proper wire stripping. Ensure wires are securely anchored and boxes are not overfilled. Verify ground connections are tight. Look for any other obvious hazards like pinched wires or damaged insulation. Thorough inspection prevents electrical faults that could cause fires. I inspect everything multiple times, because finding issues now prevents problems later.

Consider Hiring an Electrician

Undertaking a large scale rewiring without experience risks burning your house down, literally. If you are uncomfortable doing the work safely yourself, strongly consider hiring a licensed electrician, at least to handle the major aspects. The cost of professional help is minor compared to the value of your home. The peace of mind knowing it was done right is priceless. Even doing some of the labor yourself under their supervision can save substantially over fully contracted work.

By understanding your home's electrical needs, researching local codes, using caution, employing proper techniques, thoroughly inspecting the work and hiring help when prudent, you can successfully rewire your home without incident. Proper planning and careful execution will keep you, your family and your house safe.