How to Rewire Your Home Without a Professional

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, it's completely doable without hiring a professional. As a homeowner, I've successfully rewired several rooms in my house and learned a lot along the way. In this guide, I'll walk through the entire process step-by-step, from assessing your electrical needs to handling permits and inspections. I'll also provide tips to make the rewiring go smoothly and ensure you complete the project safely. Let's get started!

Determine Your Electrical Needs

The first step is deciding what needs rewiring. Make a list of all the issues and improvements you want to address. Here are some questions to consider:

Are certain rooms lacking enough outlets?
Are any outlets, switches or fixtures malfunctioning?
Do you want to upgrade to a higher amperage service?
Are you planning any additions like a home office that will require more power?

Once you've determined your needs, you can develop a rewiring plan. Prioritize the most important issues first. Safety should always be the top concern.

Develop a Rewiring Plan

With your needs in mind, the next step is mapping out a plan for the rewiring project.

Decide which circuits to update - Determine which rooms need complete rewiring versus a few upgrades. Focus on overloaded and outdated circuits first.
Plan circuit layouts - Sketch out where lights, switches, and outlets should go in each room. Space out outlets and lights evenly on separate circuits.
Calculate your power needs - Add up the wattage for all devices and lights on each circuit to avoid overloading. Aim for 80% of circuit capacity.
Select wire gauge - Choose the correct wire thickness based on amperage needs. For a 15 amp circuit, use 14 gauge wire. For 20 amp circuits, use 12 gauge wire.
Consider any code requirements - Check your local electrical code for specific regulations. Common requirements are GFCI outlets in wet areas, AFCI circuit breakers, and tamper-resistant outlets.

Handle Permits and Inspections

Once your plan is set, contact your local building department about obtaining permits. Electrical work almost always requires permits to ensure compliance with codes. The inspector will also need to approve your completed work.

Provide your rewiring plan and documentation of your electrical needs. Pay any permit fees and schedule inspections for various stages of the project. Don't skip inspections or this important permit step.

Safety First! Turn Off Power

Before touching anything electrical, the power must be turned off! This critical safety step prevents electrocution or shock risks.

Turn off the main breaker in your electrical panel. Verify power is off by testing outlets with a non-contact voltage tester. Turn off any individual breakers as well. Use caution signs and lock electrical panels.

With the power off, you can now safely handle wiring for the rewiring project. Never restore power until all work is complete and inspected.

Remove Old Wires

The next major task is removing outdated wiring. Take your time to do this carefully and methodically.

Disconnect wires from outlets, switches and light fixtures. Remove faceplates to access wires.
Cut wires coming into electrical boxes to free them for removal.
For open walls and accessible areas, pull wires out completely. Consider wearing gloves for protection.
Dispose of or recycle the removed wires properly. Copper can often be salvaged and recycled.
Inspect boxes, conduit and cables that will remain. Clean or replace any damaged parts.

Removing old wires is dirty work, but very satisfying! Enjoy seeing the home's bones exposed as you gut outdated wiring.

Install New Wiring

The fun part is now installing the beautiful new wiring you've planned for improved power.

Use the correct gauge wire for each circuit as determined earlier. Double check your work!
Feed new cables through conduit and electrical boxes. Keep different circuits' wires separated.
Neatly connect wires using twisting wire nuts or crimp connectors. Follow any color coding.
Anchor cables properly inside boxes and conduit. Support wires every 4.5 ft as required.
Label wires and circuits to keep everything organized. This also helps with inspections.
Install any new service panels, conduit, sub panels and other components if needed.

Take it slow and steady to install new wiring correctly. It takes patience but pays off in reliable power.

Connect Switches, Outlets and Fixtures

The final stage of the rewiring project is connecting everything back together.

Install any wall plates, switches, receptacles and cover plates. Wrap outlets with electrical tape for a pro look.
Connect lights and ceiling fans according to diagrams, matching colors and polarities.
Use wire nuts or terminal screws to join new wires to devices. Follow manufacturer instructions.
Attach cover plates once wires are secured. For a bonus, install decorator style cover plates.
Label circuit numbers on panels, switches and outlets. This makes troubleshooting easier.
Keep wires pushed to the back of boxes so that plates and devices fit flush to wall surfaces.

With devices reconnected, you can now enjoy controlling lights and powering appliances again!

Inspect and Restore Power

You're almost there! Call your inspector once everything is complete to have your work reviewed. They will check for proper installation, labeling and safety.

Once approved, you can go ahead and turn the main power back on. Flip breakers on one at a time to check each circuit. Plug in lamps and test outlets.

Congratulations, you just successfully rewired your home without a professional! Bask in the satisfaction of the upgraded electrical system. You saved money and gained invaluable skills.

Just remember to never take electrical work lightly. If at any point you don't feel comfortable, consult a licensed electrician. Safety is paramount when dealing with electrical projects. But with proper education and caution, you can tackle wiring projects like a pro!