How to Rewire Your Entire Home Yourself Over a Weekend

Introduction

Rewiring an entire home is a big project that requires careful planning and preparation. While it's possible for a dedicated DIYer to rewire their home over a weekend, it takes organization, patience, and attention to safety. I decided to take on this major home improvement project and learned a lot in the process. Here's how I was able to rewire my entire house myself in just two days.

Gather Materials and Tools

The first step is assembling all the necessary materials and tools. For a whole house rewiring project, you'll need:

Romex electrical wire - I needed 10 spools of 12/2 wire with ground to rewire my 2,000 sq ft home. Calculate how much wire you'll need based on the size of your house.
Electrical boxes - I used a combination of plastic and metal electrical boxes. Make sure you have enough boxes for all your outlets, switches, and junction points.
Wire strippers - A good pair of manual strippers will make quick work of stripping the Romex sheathing.
Voltage tester - An essential safety tool for testing that circuits are dead before working on them.
Cable staples - To affix wiring to studs and joists. I used insulated staples to avoid damage to the wire.
Wire nuts - For joining wire connections. Get a variety pack for different wire gauges.
Circuit breakers - Check your electrical panel to see if you need new breakers. I upgraded to a 200 amp panel.
Junction boxes - For housing wire joints and splices. Have boxes in various sizes.
Conduit and fittings - If running any hard conduit for the wiring.

Shut Off Power and Remove Old Wiring

With my materials gathered, it was time to shut off power to the entire home at the main breaker. I used my voltage tester to double check that all wiring was dead before touching anything. Safety is paramount when dealing with electrical systems.

Once the power was off, I was ready to remove the old wiring. I took down the drywall in strategic spots to access the wiring routes. Working methodically from one end of the house to the other, I pulled out all the old Romex wires. The toughest part was freeing wires from their staples when they were affixed tightly. I also removed old electrical boxes.

In sections where I wasn't replacing the drywall, I left the wiring in place until I was ready to install the new wiring.

Plan Your Circuits

With the old wiring gutted, I could start fresh with a new wiring plan. Planning your circuits is crucial for an efficient system. Here are some best practices I followed:

Don't overload circuits. I aimed for no more than 10-12 outlets per 15 amp circuit.
Alternate heavy appliances on separate circuits. My fridge, microwave, and AC unit each got their own circuit.
Wire with room to expand. I left spare breaker space in my panel for future needs.
Include separate circuits for lighting, outlets, major appliances. This prevents overloading from too many devices on one circuit.
Label everything clearly. I used my computer to print neat circuit labels for the breaker box.

Take the time to map out your circuits on paper before cutting any wire.

Run New Wiring Through House

Next came the big task of routing all the new Romex cable through the house. I started by outlining each circuit from the breaker box to its endpoints.

I drilled holes in the tops of studs for running wire vertically between floors. For horizontal runs, I secured the Romex to the sides of studs and joists using insulated staples every 2-3 feet.

I worked methodically from one room to the next, stapling wiring neatly along the way. I made sure to leave extra lead length at any junction or outlet boxes. This made for a cleaner look when joining the wires.

In areas where insulation or roofing needed to remain undisturbed, I used electrical conduit to enclose and protect the wiring. The rigid conduit took more time to install but was necessary in some spots.

Install Electrical Boxes and Make Connections

As I finished running wire through each section of the house, it was time to install the electrical boxes and make all the connections. For outlets, I anchored plastic boxes into the studs and fed the Romex wire into each box.

I joined the connections using wire nuts, being sure to follow proper polarity and grounding. I secured the wires neatly with electrical tape for a cleaner look.

For ceiling junction boxes and fixtures, I used steel boxes for more durability. I installed new lighting fixtures and chandeliers where needed. The junction boxes housed all the wire connections, keeping them safely enclosed.

Finally, I wired up the new breaker panel and generators with their designated circuits. Everything was clearly labeled to match my circuit plan.

Inspect, Test and Finish Up

With all the new wiring in place, I took some time to inspect every inch of the installation. I checked for any loose connections, stray wires, or sloppy stapling that needed to be redone. A thorough inspection can catch mistakes before the power goes back on.

When I was satisfied with the rewiring work, it was finally time for the moment of truth - turning the power back on! I shut off the main breaker again for safety before re-energizing each individual circuit one by one.

For each circuit, I turned it on at the breaker and then carefully tested each outlet, light fixture, and connected device for proper operation. Using my voltage tester, I confirmed the correct voltage coming from each hot wire.

When all circuits checked out, I screwed on the outlet and switch plate covers and reinstalled any trim pieces. The final step was patching drywall where I had demolished it to access wiring. A weekend of sore muscles was worth it for a completely renovated electrical system!

Tips for Rewiring Your Home

Based on my experience, here are my top tips for rewiring a house yourself:

Involve an electrician if you're uncomfortable - A professional can guide you through more complex aspects.
Take safety seriously - Follow all precautions when dealing with electricity.
Be realistic with your timeline - Rewiring an entire house is slow work. Give yourself ample time.
Label everything - Improper wire identification can cause major issues.
Document before removal - Take photos of old wiring runs before you remove wires.
Work systematically - Tackle one section of house completely before moving to next.
Inspect your work thoroughly - Check connections and test all fixtures before powering up.
Have a helper - An extra pair of hands makes a big difference for feeding wires.

Rewiring your house is immensely satisfying and can save thousands over hiring an electrician. With meticulous planning and safe working habits, you can successfully rewire your home in a weekend. Just be ready for some long days and lots of wire stripping!