Introduction
Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with some planning, the right materials, and a bit of know-how, it is possible to rewire your entire house yourself on a tight budget. As a homeowner on a limited income, I found myself needing to upgrade the outdated and potentially unsafe electrical system in my 1950s rambler. With some clever cost-cutting measures and a lot of elbow grease, I was able to completely rewire my 1,500 square foot home for under $2,000. Here is how I did it.
Assessing the Existing Electrical System
Before beginning a large rewiring project, it is important to thoroughly assess the existing electrical system. Here are some key things I looked at:
Type of Wiring
- The first thing to determine is what type of wiring your home currently has. In my case, it was a combination of cloth-wrapped wiring and rubber-insulated wiring, both of which were old enough to make rewiring necessary. Knowing the wiring type tells you if a total replacement is needed.
Electrical Load
- Consider the number of circuits and their amperage capacity to determine if it is sufficient for your needs. My home had 100 amp service with very few circuits, which was no longer enough for all our modern devices and appliances.
Safety Issues
- Carefully inspect all visible wiring for signs of wear, damage, improper splicing, etc. Check circuit breakers for signs of overheating. This can help identify any immediate fire or electrocution risks that need to be addressed. I found several areas of concern that confirmed the need to rewire.
Code Violations
- Review your local electrical code requirements and check your existing system for violations. Outdated wiring often fails to meet current safety codes. My wiring would never pass inspection if I tried to sell my home.
By thoroughly understanding my electrical needs and deficiencies, I knew that a full rewire was the right course of action to take, despite the cost.
Calculating Your Electrical Needs
Once I decided to rewire, I needed to calculate precisely the size of electrical service and the number of circuits I would need. Here are some key factors I looked at:
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Square footage - The size of your home is a baseline for determining capacity needs.
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Electrical devices - Make a list of all devices, appliances, electronics, and lighting fixtures you need to power. Consider wattages and amperages of high draw equipment.
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Expansion plans - If you plan to add onto your home, install a hot tub, etc. consider future power needs.
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Code minimums - Check requirements for the minimum number of general lighting and small appliance branch circuits.
With those factors in mind, I determined that upgrading to 200 amp service and installing 20 circuits would be ideal for my present and future needs. Doing the calculations upfront ensured I ordered the right electrical panel and supplies.
Picking the Right Materials on a Budget
The bulk of the project cost was in the wiring itself, the electrical panel, and various hardware. Here is how I got quality supplies at low prices:
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Buy wire in bulk spools - Avoid pre-cut wire lengths which come at a premium. Purchase several large spools of 12/2 and 14/2 NM wire for all branch circuits.
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Shop around - Check big box stores, electrical supply houses, and online sources to find the best deals on wire, boxes, panels, breakers, etc. Buying materials took a lot of price comparisons.
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** Consider lower grades** - Look at Commercial Grade panels and breakers rather than more costly Residential Grade options. The quality difference is minor but the savings are significant.
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Use existing boxes - In many cases, I was able to reuse existing electrical boxes, saving on new ones. I only bought what was essential.
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Buy used panel - I saved over 50% by purchasing a used 200 amp panel in good condition. Have an electrician inspect any used equipment first.
With smart shopping and resourcefulness, I procured all the necessary upgrade materials for about $1500, keeping the project on a tight budget.
Safely Running New Wiring Yourself
The most labor intensive part of the project was running all new wiring through the house. Here are some tips on how I did this safely as an amateur:
Safety Gear
- Wear gloves, long sleeves, eye protection. Use a fiberglass ladder for working on ceilings. Never take risks with electrocution!
Circuit Mapping
- Keep detailed notes on which circuits run to each room. Label both ends of each wire. This avoids confusion when removing old wiring.
Attic and Basement Access
- I was able to run much of the wiring through unfinished attic and basement areas. This provided easy access without tearing into walls.
Wall Fishing
- For finished walls, I used long electrical fish tape to pull wires through holes drilled horizontally and vertically between studs. Patience and persistence pays off here.
Surface Mounting
- In some cases, surface mounted wire mold was the easiest path to run new circuits. This avoids major demolition of drywall.
Junction Boxes
- Install sufficient junction boxes to split circuits and join wires. Follow code for maximum number of wires per box.
By methodically planning each run and allowing plenty of time, I was able to complete the major wiring phase successfully in about 5 weekends.
A Licensed Electrician Handles the Tricky Stuff
While a dedicated DIYer can handle much of a rewire solo, it's wise to hire a professional electrician to deal with elements that require experience and special equipment. Here is what I outsourced:
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Installing new main panel - This requires major alterations to home's main power supply. Best left to the pros with proper qualifications.
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Connecting to main panel - Likewise, all new circuit wires into main panel should be handled expertly to ensure safety and code compliance.
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Troubleshooting problems - When I ran into difficulty fishing wires or had circuit testing issues, the electrician's expertise was invaluable.
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Final hookups - My electrician did final connections of all wires, breakers, and fixtures once I installed most components.
Paying an electrician for about 20 hours of work to handle these critical tasks was money well spent. It gave me peace of mind and avoided potentially hazardous mistakes.
Conclusion: Big Satisfaction on a Small Budget
While rewiring an entire home is a monumental effort, it can be achieved for $2,000 or less with grit and resourcefulness. By thoroughly planning the project, buying materials wisely, doing as much labor as I was qualified for, and outsourcing aspects requiring an expert, I was able to upgrade my home's electrical system with fantastic results on a tiny budget. The effort was well worth it! With updated 200 amp service and modern wiring throughout, my home is now far safer and fully primed for current and future electrical needs.