How to Rewire Your Home Without an Electrician for Under $100

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with the right materials and safety precautions, I was able to rewire parts of my home without hiring an electrician for less than $100. Proper electrical wiring is crucial for safety, so this article will cover everything you need to know to do it right.

Safety Precautions

Before I start any electrical project, there are some key safety steps I take:

• I make sure to turn off the main breaker to cut power to the wires I'll be working on.
• I verify power is off by testing wires with a multimeter or non-contact voltage tester.
• I wear insulated gloves and eye protection.
• I only work on one circuit at a time, keeping all others live so I don't accidentally get shocked by a wire I think is dead.
• I label each wire as I disconnect it.
• I take photos of the existing setup before altering anything.
• I don't work on wiring when I'm tired, rushed or distracted.

Gather the Right Materials

Rewiring doesn't require much specialty equipment. Here's what I gathered for under $100:

• Stripper/Cutter - Used to strip insulation off wires and cut them to length. $10
• Voltage Tester - To double check power is off. $8
• Electrical Tape - For insulating wires and connections. $4
• Wire Connectors - Twists wires together securely. $6 for 25
• NM-B Cable 14/2 Wire - The main wiring to run from breaker to outlets. $45 for 50 ft
• Wire staples/clips - To fasten wiring neatly. $8
• Hand Tools - Needle nose pliers, Phillips/Flat head screwdrivers. $15

I also used some basic safety gear like gloves, goggles and a headlamp.

Rewiring Steps

Here is the process I used to rewire my bedroom:

1. Turn Off Power and Remove Old Wiring

First I turned off the bedroom circuit at the breaker and verified it was dead. Next, I took photos of the existing setup before removing the old NM-B 14/2 cable from the outlets and taking it out.

2. Run New Wiring

I measured the length of wire needed and cut it to size, leaving extra length. I ran the new NM-B 14/2 cable through the walls from the breaker to each outlet box, stapling it neatly along the way.

3. Connect Wires

At the breaker, I used a wire connector to attach the hot (black) wire to the breaker and neutral (white) to the neutral bus bar.

I connected the ground (bare copper) wire to the grounding rod in the main panel.

At each outlet, I connected the wires to the hot, neutral and ground terminals properly, matching the current configuration. I wrapped connections in electrical tape.

4. Secure Wiring and Outlets

I neatly coiled any excess wiring into the boxes, then reinstalled the outlets and switch plate covers.

5. Restore Power and Test

Once everything was done, I turned the breaker back on and tested each outlet to make sure they were wired correctly and power was flowing properly.

Conclusion

While not for total beginners, rewiring a room or section of lighting in your home is very doable if you take proper safety precautions. For less than $100 spent on materials, I was able to upgrade the wiring in my bedroom - improving safety and efficiency. The sense of DIY accomplishment makes the effort worthwhile.