Rewiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, I successfully rewired my home without hiring an electrician. As long as I followed electrical codes and safety standards, I found I could safely rewire without risking electrocution or burning my house down!
Reasons to Rewire Without an Electrician
I decided to rewire my home myself because:
-
Electricians are expensive, often charging $1500 or more for a full home rewire.
-
I wanted to save money by doing it myself. Rewiring the average home with supplies costs $500-800.
-
I felt confident I could learn the skills online and from library books.
-
I had success with other DIY home projects like tiling, plumbing, and drywall.
-
The old wiring in my 1950s house needed upgrading to modern standards.
Dangers and Risks of a DIY Rewire
Before starting, I fully acknowledged the risks of rewiring my home without a professional:
-
Electrocution - Mistakes can lead to serious injury or death.
-
Fires - Faulty wiring is a major cause of electrical fires.
-
Insurance issues - Insurance may not cover DIY electrical work.
-
Code violations - Improper wiring can risk failing inspections.
I studied proper safety procedures and accepted extra responsibility doing this as a DIY homeowner.
Studying Electrical Systems, Codes and Safety
Before purchasing supplies, I spent over 100 hours:
-
Reading home electrical books and manuals like Wiring Complete by Michael Miller.
-
Studying the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards for proper wiring.
-
Watching online training videos to learn basic electrical repair skills.
-
Interviewing an electrician to understand common wiring mistakes.
-
Researching articles on home electrical safety like only working with breakers off.
I focused on truly mastering safety protocols versus rushing into this project.
Key Safety Tips When Rewiring
Rewiring a house solo requires meticulous planning and caution. Here are essential safety tips I followed:
-
Turn off main breaker and all circuits - Never work on live wires!
-
Test wires with a non-contact voltage detector before touching.
-
Only work in daylight to see wires clearly.
-
Wear electrical gloves and eye protection.
-
Never leave wires uncapped when unattended.
-
Keep pets and children out of the work area.
-
Avoid reaching over live wires.
-
Use insulated tools and ladders.
-
Limit distractions and focus fully when working.
Step-by-Step Process Rewiring a Home
Once I understood critical safety precautions, I systematically rewired my house:
Planning the Rewire
-
Created detailed diagrams of existing wiring and new circuit maps.
-
Mapped out new 15 amp and 20 amp circuit paths.
-
Got permit and had city inspector review plan.
Inspecting and Buying Supplies
-
Inspected attic, walls, and floors for asbestos or other hazards.
-
Purchased 50 feet of 12/2 and 12/3 NM electrical wire for 15/20 amp circuits.
-
Bought new breaker box, receptacles, switches, etc.
Running and Securing New Wires
-
Ran cables from breaker box through attic and basement.
-
Secured wires every 4.5 ft with cable staples.
-
Drilled holes to run wire through wall studs.
-
Labeled wire connections and capped ends.
Installing New Devices
-
Mounted new breaker box and ran ground wire.
-
Installed tamper-resistant receptacles.
-
Grounded outlets with pigtails.
-
Added GFCI outlets in kitchen, baths, laundry, and garage.
-
Connected light switches and fixtures.
Testing and Final Inspection
-
Performed final checks that all circuits worked properly.
-
Had city electrical inspector verify safety and code compliance.
Conclusion: My Outcome Rewiring My House
In the end, I successfully rewired my outdated, hazardous electrical system up to modern safety codes. This saved me over $1000 versus hiring an electrician.
More importantly, through meticulous planning and stringent adherence to safety procedures, I avoided electrocution or burning down my house!
By investing 100+ hours in self-education beforehand, I gained the knowledge to safely rewire my home electrical system. This project improved my DIY skills and gave me confidence to tackle other complex home renovations.