How to Rewire Your Home Without An Electrician (And Save Thousands!)

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, it is possible for a homeowner to rewire their house themselves and save thousands of dollars in electrician fees. I took on rewiring my 1,500 square foot home all by myself and saved over $5,000 in the process.

In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through all the steps needed to rewire a home safely and legally without hiring a professional electrician.

Reasons For Rewiring

There are several reasons you may need or want to rewire your home:

• Upgrading to a 200 amp service - Many older homes only have 60-100 amp electrical service. Upgrading allows you to run more high wattage appliances and devices simultaneously.

• Faulty or outdated wiring - Knob and tube wiring found in old homes is inefficient and potentially dangerous. Replacing it with modern wiring makes your home safer.

• Remodeling - Anytime you are remodeling or renovating it is wise to update the wiring.

• Adding circuits - Additional lighting, appliances and electronics may require running new wires.

• Safety hazards - Frayed or exposed wires, improper installations and overloaded circuits are fire and shock risks.

Dangers of Home Electrical Work

Before deciding to DIY your home rewiring, understand the risks involved:

• Electric shock - Live wires can seriously injure or kill if improperly handled. Make sure all power is turned off!

• Electrocution - Water and electricity don't mix! Avoid working near wet areas.

• Fire - Faulty wiring is the third leading cause of household fires. Do it right the first time.

• Injury - Falls, lacerations and eye injuries are common electrical repair accidents.

• Damaging your home - Botched wiring jobs can destroy walls, ceilings and property.

Safety First When Rewiring

Follow these tips to safely rewire your home without injury:

• Turn off power at the main breaker before working and verify it is off.
• Test wires with a non-contact voltage tester before touching.
• Keep the area dry and beware of slip hazards.
• Wear electrical gloves and safety goggles.
• Use insulated tools only.
• Don't work alone - have someone there in case of emergency.
• Call electric company to de-energize outside lines if needed.

Challenges of Rewiring Without an Electrician

DIY electrical work is difficult. Be prepared for:

• Permitting - Your city will require an application and inspections.

• Labor intensity - It will take time, energy and muscle to rewire an entire house.

• Identifying circuits - Mapping out your circuits takes diligence. Label everything.

• Running wires - Fishing wires through walls and ceilings is tedious and requires planning.

• Problem solving - Be ready to think on your feet when inevitable issues arise.

Cost Savings

Hiring an electrician is expensive. Here are typical electrician costs for common rewiring jobs:

• Basic Home Rewire - $8,000-15,000

• Upgrading Electrical Panel - $2,000-4,000

• Adding a Circuit - $500-800

As you can see, major rewiring projects cost tens of thousands if you pay an electrician.

By doing it yourself, you only pay for materials which often run:

• Basic Home Rewire - $2,000-4,000

• Upgrade Main Panel - $800-1,200

That's at least $5,000 in savings on a full rewire job by being your own electrician!

Step-by-Step Guide to Rewiring Your Home

Follow these steps to successfully rewire your house without an electrician:

Step 1 - Create a Wiring Plan

• Decide which circuits need to be replaced or added.
• Map out routing for new wire runs.
• Plan locations for new switches, outlets and fixtures.
• Draw detailed wiring diagrams.

Step 2 - Assemble Materials

You will need:

• Romex NM-B Wiring
• Breakers
• Conduit
• Junction Boxes
• Outlets and Switches
• Wire Staples/Clips
• Wire Strippers and Cutters
• Voltmeter

Step 3 - Prep the Building

• Remove baseboards, panels and ceiling tiles to access wiring runs.
• Drill access holes between floors and through walls.
• Install new service panel if upgrading amperage.

Step 4 - Run New Wires

• Route cables between floors and through walls/ceilings.
• Staple wires every 2-3 feet for safety and stability.
• Ensure wires are tamper resistant and properly sized.
• Use junction boxes to splice wires.

Step 5 - Install Outlets, Switches and Fixtures

• Replace existing receptacles and switches.
• Add new lighting, fans and outlets as needed.
• Use appropriate mounting boxes and covers.

Step 6 - Connect Wires to Service Panel

• Organize and label circuit wires at the panel.
• Connect grounds first, then neutrals, then hot wires.
• Ensure proper gauge wire for breakers.

Step 7 - Testing and Cleanup

• Inspect all connections for tightness.
• Verify grounding and polarity through testing.
• Confirm proper functionality of all fixtures and outlets.
• Patch walls, install trim and replace insulation.

Step 8 - Pass Inspection

• Call the city when ready for final inspection.
• An inspector will check for code compliance.
• Make any corrections needed to pass.

And that's it! Follow those steps and you can safely rewire your home without paying an electrician a fortune.

Tips for Rewiring Your Home Yourself

Here are some additional tips to make your DIY rewiring project go smoothly:

• Take photos before demolition so you know how everything was originally wired.

• Only open walls and ceilings in the specific areas you are rewiring to limit repairs needed afterwards.

• Label every wire with source location and circuit number using tape.

• Only work on small sections at a time to avoid getting wires mixed up.

• Consult local building codes to ensure compliance.

• Hire an electrician just for the final hook ups and inspections if desired.

• Be extremely organized and keep your workspace clean.

Conclusion

Rewiring an entire house seems intimidating but can be tackled successfully as a DIY project. Just take proper safety precautions, educate yourself on electrical systems, create a good plan, take your time and don't cut corners.

While the process is labor intensive, the thousands of dollars in cost savings are well worth the effort. By following this guide you can gain the satisfaction and savings of rewiring your home without the expense of an electrician.