How to Rewire Your Home without an Electrician and Save Thousands

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like an intimidating task, but with proper planning and safety precautions, it's possible for a handy homeowner to rewire their house and save thousands of dollars in electrician fees. I have successfully rewired my entire home without hiring an electrician, and I will share everything I learned in this comprehensive guide on how to rewire a home safely as an amateur.

Reasons to Rewire Without an Electrician

Here are some of the main reasons I chose to rewire my home myself:

• Huge cost savings - Electricians typically charge $50-$100 per hour. Rewiring an entire house could cost $5,000-$10,000 or more. I spent less than $2,000 on materials doing it myself.
• Increased home value - Upgrading the wiring increases safety and functionality, adding value to the home.
• Customization - I could add more circuits and outlets exactly where needed.
• Sense of accomplishment - It was deeply satisfying doing the work myself.

However, this is only recommended for homeowners who are very handy and take safety seriously. Improper electrical work can cause fires or electrocution.

Preparing to Rewire

Complete preparation is key to a smooth rewiring project. Here are the steps I took before getting started:

• Shut off power - Turn off all breakers and unplug appliances to ensure no live wires.
• Create a plan - Map out the existing wiring and sketch plans for the new circuits.
• Inspect attic and walls - Check for asbestos, leaks, or other hazards.
• Purchase all supplies - Have everything from wiring to outlets to tools on hand.
• Rent drywall lift - Lifting sheets of drywall requires a special jack.
• Clean the house thoroughly - It will get messy during demolition.

Doing the Demolition

With power off and the house prepped, it's time to gut the place. Here is the demolition process I followed:

• Remove all wall outlet and switch cover plates first.
• Extract all nails, screws, and fasteners holding up drywall or paneling.
• Take down drywall and panels in manageable sections using pry bar. Be careful to keep electrical boxes intact.
• Use reciprocating saw to cut electrical boxes out of framing if removing entire sections of wall.
• Extract all old wiring from walls and attic. Don't just abandon it.
• Inspect exposed framing for damage. Shore up any compromised areas.
• Clean up debris as you go to prevent hazards.

Running the New Wiring

Once demolished down to the studs, it's time to run the new electrical system:

• Refer frequently to your wiring plan to ensure compliance with codes.
• Map out box locations for outlets, switches, and fixtures.
• Drill holes through framing for wire runs between boxes.
• Select the right gauge wire for expected voltage and amperage. 12 AWG is common.
• Use staple gun to attach wires neatly along framing.
• Label each wire with source and destination to avoid confusion.
• Make sure to connect all ground wires and ground blocks.
• Install GFCI outlets within 6 feet of water sources.
• Caulk around all exterior wall penetrations.

Installing New Outlets, Switches and Fixtures

With the wires run, it's time to install the components:

• Carefully push wires into electrical boxes, leaving 6-8 inches for connections.
• Use wire strippers to prep wire ends for connections.
• For outlets, attach hot wire to brass screw, neutral to silver screw.
• For switches, connect hot wire to dark screw, neutral to lighter screw.
• Scrap away paint exposing bare copper ground wires. Attach grounds.
• Make sure all connections are tight and secure. No exposed wire.
• Use voltmeter to confirm no live power to boxes before moving on.
• Attach components to boxes using mounting screws. Make sure they are flush with wall surface.
• Use bubble level to ensure outlets, switches, and fixtures are perfectly straight.

Rebuilding and Finishing the Walls

Now that the electrical is complete, the final step is closing it all up:

• Make cutouts for electrical boxes in drywall sheets before hanging them.
• Lift sheets in place against ceiling and screw into studs. Watch for wires!
• Use drywall joint compound to seam and mud all seams and screw holes.
• Apply joint compound in thin coats, allowing it to fully dry between applications.
• Sand hardened compound until smooth and even with wall.
• Vacuum away drywall dust before priming and painting.
• Replace floor moldings, outlet covers, and light fixtures.
• Caulk along all seams and gaps before painting for a pro finish.
• Flick that final breaker switch and bask in the glow of your successful rewiring!

Final Tips

Rewiring your home is very rewarding but also dangerous if not done with care. Here are a few final safety tips:

• Label every wire so you know what it powers and where it originates.
• Check your work thoroughly for potential shorts or loose connections.
• Follow all applicable building and electrical codes.
• Only take on what you are confident you can do safely based on your skill level.
• Never work on live wires; always double check that power is off.
• Have a professional electrician inspect your work when complete.

Let me know if you have any other rewiring questions! I'm happy to share more details of my experience. Just take your time and focus on safety. You can DIY it and save big.