How to Rewire Your Old Garden Shed for Under $50

Upgrading an old garden shed can seem daunting, but with some planning and elbow grease, it's possible to rewire one on a budget. Here's how I was able to rewire my shed for under $50.

Assess the Existing Wiring

The first step is to take stock of the existing electrical system in your shed. Here's what I did:

I made sure the power was shut off at the circuit breaker before going into the shed. Safety first!
I looked at the existing lights and outlets to see if they were in good condition and wired properly.
I checked the gauge and condition of the wiring. Older wiring can be brittle and prone to shorts.
I verified that the wiring was grounded. Ungrounded wiring is a hazard.
I tested outlets and switches with a circuit tester to make sure they were wired correctly.

This assessment helped me understand what I needed to replace vs what I could keep.

Make a Wiring Plan

Next, I mapped out a plan for the rewiring:

I drew a simple diagram of the shed layout and where I wanted to place lights, switches and outlets.
I noted the voltage and amperage requirements for any new lighting, outlets or devices.
I calculated the wire gauge and length needed to run power safely to each new item.
I made a list of all materials I would need to purchase, including wire, boxes, receptacles, and tools.

Having a wiring plan ensured I bought all the right supplies in one trip.

Purchase Materials

With my plan in hand, I purchased the following at my local hardware store for under $50:

100 ft of 14/2 NM cable to run new wire circuits in the shed.
A 4-pack of duplex receptacles for new outlet boxes.
A 4-pack of single pole switches for the lighting.
A 2-pack of metal outlet boxes and a 2-pack of metal switch boxes for new receptacles and switches.
Wire nuts and electrical tape for connections.
A circuit breaker for the new lighting circuit.
A basic electrical tool kit with strippers, cutters, screwdrivers, etc.

Replace Old Wiring

Now it was time to rewire. Here's the process I followed:

I turned off the power at the circuit breaker before starting.
I removed the old, brittle wiring and disposed of it properly. Safety first!
I ran the new 14/2 NM cable from the circuit breaker to each new electrical box location per my wiring plan.
I cut the cable to length, then stripped and connected the ends using wire nuts. I made sure to match hot, neutral and ground wires properly.
I secured the new wires neatly into the receptacle and switch boxes using cable clamps.
I secured and grounded the boxes properly before installing devices.

Taking it slow and methodical ensured safe new wiring throughout the shed.

Add New Lighting and Outlets

The finishing touches were installing the new devices:

I mounted the outlet and switch boxes where I wanted them and fed the wires through.
I connected up the switches and receptacles, making sure wires were secure.
I installed new LED lights where needed and verified they worked from the switches.
I added a dedicated 20A circuit with outlets for future power tools.
I connected the new lighting circuit breaker.
Finally, I turned the power back on and tested all the new lights, switches and outlets.

When everything checked out, I buttoned up the boxes and flipped the breakers. I now had a totally rewired shed!

Conclusion

Rewiring a shed on a budget is very doable with some elbow grease. The key steps are:

Evaluate the existing wiring.
Plan out new wiring and purchase supplies.
Replace old wiring with new wire cable.
Install new boxes, switches and outlets.
Add lighting and dedicated outlets for tools.

Following basic electrical safety, taking your time, and having a plan makes rewiring an old shed very manageable. The $50 I spent was totally worth it for a safer, more functional space!