How to Rewire Your Entire Home Without an Electrician or Permit

Introduction

Rewiring your entire home is a major project that can seem daunting, but with proper planning and safety precautions, I was able to completely rewire my home without hiring an electrician or obtaining a permit. This allows me to save thousands of dollars in labor costs.

This guide will walk you step-by-step through the process I followed to safely and successfully rewire my entire house. I will cover planning the rewiring project, gathering the necessary materials, safety precautions to take, how to turn off power and remove old wiring, installing new wiring, connecting circuits and fixtures, and testing your work.

Planning the Rewiring Project

Before beginning, take time to plan out the rewiring project. This involves:

Understanding Electrical Basics

• Learn about basic electrical terms and components like voltage, amperage, circuits, outlets, switches.
• Understand how residential electrical systems are wired.
• Learn how to work safely with electricity to avoid injury or fire.

Creating a Wiring Diagram

• Map out the existing electrical wiring in home.
• Plan desired new circuits and placements of outlets/switches/fixtures.
• Create a detailed wiring diagram to follow for installing new wiring.

Calculating Electrical Load

• Estimate wattage needed for lighting fixtures and devices in each room.
• Calculate total amperage needed for each circuit.
• Size wiring and breakers appropriately for electrical load.

Developing a Step-by-Step Plan

• Outline detailed steps for removing old wiring and installing new circuits.
• Plan best order of operation to minimize downs of power in house.
• Allow plenty of time to complete the work safely.

Gathering Materials

Before getting started, I gathered all the necessary materials for the rewiring project:

• Romex NM-B 12/2 and 14/2 electrical wire - sufficient gauge and length for home's circuits
• Electrical boxes - variety of sizes for outlets, switches, fixtures
• Circuit breakers - new breakers sized for home's electrical load
• Conduit and fittings as needed
• Outlets and switches
• Junction boxes and wire nuts
• Cable staples and fasteners
• Wire strippers and crimping tools
• Voltage tester and multimeter - for testing
• Basic hand tools - screwdrivers, pliers, hammer, etc.
• Ladder - for access to ceiling wires
• Safety gear - glasses, gloves, etc.

Purchasing all supplies ahead ensures no delay once the rewiring work begins.

Safety Precautions

Working with electricity poses safety hazards like electrocution, fire, and EXPLOSIONS!. Here are crucial safety precautions I took:

• Turn off ALL power at main breaker panel - Use a contact voltage tester to double check power is off before working.
• Disconnect the ground wire - Helps prevent accidentally energizing wires.
• Work carefully - Don't rush and stay focused on the task at hand.
• Wear insulated gloves and footwear - Reduce risk of shock.
• Insulate all connections - Prevent detached live wires from contact.
• Keep area clean and uncluttered - Prevent electrical hazards and falls.
• Use fiberglass ladder - Avoid conductive metal ladders near electricity.
• No wet conditions - Never work in damp areas.
• Safety first - Follow local electrical code requirements.

Removing Old Wiring

With power disconnected, I was ready to start removing the existing outdated wiring:

Label Each Wire

• Label every wire connection before disconnecting using masking tape.
• Note locations of all outlets, switches and junction points.
• Carefully disconnect and remove old wires.

Remove Outdated Boxes and Fixtures

• Take out all old electrical boxes, conduit, and wiring fixtures.
• Remove or cover any unused wires concealed in walls.
• Patch and repair walls/ceilings from removal work.

Check for Hidden Wires

• Inspect walls, floors, attic for any hidden wires that need removal.
• Verify NO live wires remain that could cause an unsafe condition.

Thoroughly removing the old wiring allows for a fresh start.

Installing New Wiring

With the old wiring removed, I was ready to install the new electrical system:

Run Wire to All Locations

• Start by wiring the main service panel and installing ground wire.
• Run wire through walls/ceiling to each outlet, switch and junction box.
• Staple cables every 4-6 feet for support and to avoid sagging.
• Use conduit where wiring runs through exposed areas.
• Pull wires into boxes, leaving 6 inches of slack.

Make Secure Connections

• Use wire nuts to connect hot, neutral and ground wires securely.
• Wrap connections with electrical tape for additional insulation.
• Attach cables to devices like switches, outlets and light fixtures.

Install Breakers in Panel

• Install appropriately sized circuit breakers in the main service panel.
• Label each breaker clearly for the corresponding circuit.

Meticulously installing new wires and connections prevents electrical hazards down the line.

Connecting the Circuits and Fixtures

With the new wiring laid out, it was time to complete the circuits:

Connect Switches and Outlets

• Attach wires to outlets, switches, and fixtures.
• Use wire nuts to connect hot, neutral and ground wires correctly.
• Secure outlet and switch boxes in the walls.

Connect Lights and Devices

• Complete circuits by connecting wires to all light fixtures.
• Attach wiring to devices like ceiling fans, garage door opener, etc.
• Verify grounding wire is connected.

Label All Wires and Connections

• Properly label wires connected to fixtures and devices.
• Use tape or markers that are permanent and won't fade.

Clear labeling allows for quick identification of circuits for future work.

Testing the System

Before turning power back on, it's critical to test ALL new wiring for safety:

Visual Inspection

• Check connection points for secure and insulated wire connections.
• Verify proper cable gauges were used for each circuit type.
• Make sure wires are stapled neatly and safely.

Verify Grounding

• Confirm ALL outlets and fixtures are properly grounded.
• Test grounding wires for continuity.

Use a Voltage Tester

• Check each wire with a non-contact voltage tester to be SURE power is off.
• Carefully check behind walls for any live wires lurking.

Turn Power Back On

Only after passing visual checks and voltage tests, turn power back on at the main panel.

Check Operation of Lights and Outlets

• Test every light switch to ensure proper operation.
• Plug in devices and test outlets throughout home.
• Verify proper circuit breaker trips when overloaded.

Thorough testing ensures your new wiring installation is safe and ready to enjoy!

Final Thoughts

And there you have it - a complete guide to successfully rewiring your home without hiring an electrician! While it is a sizable DIY undertaking, the cost savings make it worthwhile. Just be sure to educate yourself thoroughly on proper techniques and safety procedures. Your improved electrical system will provide peace of mind and reliable power for years to come. Let me know if you have any other questions!