Bringing your home's electrical system up to code can seem like a daunting and expensive task. However, with some planning and DIY work, you can rewire your home to meet safety standards without breaking the bank.
Assessing Your Current Wiring
The first step is to understand what kind of shape your current wiring is in. Here are some things I checked:
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Age of the wiring - Older homes often have outdated wiring that needs upgrading. If your home is over 50 years old, it's a good idea to inspect the electrical.
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Gauge of the wiring - Modern homes use 12 or 14 gauge for most circuits. If you have smaller 10 or 15 gauge wire, an upgrade is needed.
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Grounded outlets - Three-prong grounded outlets are now required in most rooms of the home. Check to see if your outlets are grounded properly.
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Light fixture wires - Closely inspect the wiring connecting light fixtures as these can deteriorate over time.
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Breaker box - An outdated breaker box is a red flag your system needs updating. Look for rust, doubled-up circuits, or insufficient amperage capacity.
Making a list of needed upgrades helps you plan out the project.
Making a Rewiring Plan
Here are some things I considered when planning my rewiring project:
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Prioritize safety hazards - Focus first on problems like outdated breaker boxes, lack of grounding, and exposed wires.
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Consider layout changes - Look at how you use each room and where you might need more lighting or outlets.
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Check your budget - Get quotes from electricians on the size of the job to see if DIY is feasible. Partial professional help might work if budget is tight.
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Research local codes - Check with your municipal office to learn about permits, required work, and inspections.
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Look into rebates - Some utility companies offer rebates for upgrading electrical panels or installing safety devices.
Doing the Work Yourself
Rewiring a whole house can take weeks or months. Here are some tips for how I completed the work safely as a DIYer:
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Turn off power at the breaker - Shut off the main breaker switch before starting any work. Verify power is off with a tester.
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Work systematically - Move through the house methodically, one room or circuit at a time.
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Inspect existing wiring - Check for deterioration and replace any wiring that is damaged or substandard.
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Label all wires and connections - Use masking tape and a marker to label each wire's circuit number and purpose for easy troubleshooting later.
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Install new boxes and outlets - Upgrade to UL-listed electrical boxes and grounded outlets throughout.
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Run new wire gauges - For 15 or 20 amp home circuits, use 14 gauge copper or 12 gauge aluminum wire.
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Connect properly - Follow diagrams to make sure all new wire connections are strong and positive.
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Cover splices safely - Use wire nuts or electrical caps to cover splices and tape for additional protection.
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Pass inspections - Call for city inspections after completing major phases like the service panel upgrade.
Saving Money on Materials
Here are some ways I got quality electrical materials without overspending:
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Shop sales and clearance - Check stores for markdowns on wire, outlets, breakers, and other parts.
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Buy in bulk online - Order spools of wire, boxes, and tools from wholesale suppliers to get deep discounts.
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Salvage usable old wiring - When demolishing, recycle any wiring and components still in good shape.
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See if any supplies are reusable - Check if existing conduits and junction boxes just need cleaning and they can be reused.
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Rent big tools - Rent a wire puller, electrician's fish tape, or trencher instead of buying.
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Use coupons - Sign up for online promo emails from home supply stores to get coupons on electrical purchases.
Passing Inspection and Completion
Finally, here are the steps I took to finish up my rewiring project:
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Double check connections - Verify all splices are strongly connected and insulated before closing up walls.
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Schedule rough-in inspection - Get approval after wiring is run but before insulating and installing drywall.
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Insulate carefully around wiring - Seal up walls but avoid cramming insulation into boxes or over wires.
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Label breaker circuits - Using the panel schedule, label all new breakers clearly for each room's outlets.
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Install fixtures and plates - With walls closed up, put in all new lighting fixtures, switches, and outlet covers.
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Get final inspection - Confirm all work passed inspection and is officially up to code.
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Add safety features - Consider installing smoke detectors, GFCIs, and whole home surge protectors.
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Make future plans - Create a plan for future upgrades like added circuits or wiring accessory buildings.
With research, permitting, safety checks, and strategic cost savings, I successfully renovated the wiring in my home without going over budget. Taking your time also ensures the job is done right. While rewiring an entire house is a huge endeavor, it certainly can be accomplished as a DIY project for many homeowners.