How to Rewire Your Home Without an Electrician for Under $50

Introduction

Rewiring a home can seem like an intimidating task, but with some planning and basic skills, it is possible to rewire portions of your home safely without hiring an electrician. In this guide, I'll walk through the steps I took to rewire several rooms in my home for under $50.

Safety First

Before beginning any electrical project, it's absolutely crucial to keep safety in mind. Here are some key tips:

• Turn off power at the main breaker panel - This ensures circuits you're working on have no live current flowing through them. Test wires with a voltage tester to be sure.

• Use personal protective equipment - Wear rubber-soled shoes, gloves, and safety goggles when working with electrical wiring.

• Only work on small sections at a time - Rewiring an entire house is dangerous. Stick to one room or circuit at a time.

• Follow local electrical codes - Requirements vary regionally. Research permits, required materials, and wiring methods.

Planning the Rewiring Project

Careful planning makes a wiring project go smoothly. Here are key steps I took in planning my rewiring project:

• Map out existing circuits - Note which rooms/outlets are on which breakers. Turn breakers off as you work.

• Decide which circuits to rewire - Prioritize based on necessity. Leave challenging or dangerous circuits to professionals.

• Select wiring method - Romex NM-B wiring was ideal for running new wires through walls and attics.

• Purchase necessary materials - I spent less than $50 on Romex wire, new outlets, wire connectors, a junction box, and other basics.

• Have needed tools on hand - Lineman's pliers, wire strippers, a voltage tester, and other essentials.

Running New Wires

With planning done, it's time to run the new wire through the house:

• Turn off the main breaker panel - Verify power is off with a voltage tester before working.

• Remove old outlet or switch - Carefully disconnect and detach the existing wiring.

• Drill entry holes - Drill holes through walls/studs to route new wiring to the outlet area.

• Fish wiring through walls - Use a fish tape to pull the new Romex wire through holes you've drilled.

• Leave extra length - Make sure several extra feet come through so connections aren't tight.

• Staple cable securely - Use cable staples to fasten wiring neatly along joists or studs.

Installing New Outlets and Switches

The final step is connecting the new wires to new receptacles and switches:

• Prepare wire ends - Strip off about 1/2" of insulation from each wire end.

• Connect wires securely - Use wire nuts to join hot, neutral, and ground wires properly.

• Install junction box (if needed) - Use approved junction boxes if you have many wire connections.

• Anchor new receptacle or switch - Screw into electrical box firmly so connections stay tight.

• Attach faceplate cover - Install a faceplate cover over the outlet or switch to complete the job.

• Restore power and test - Turn the main breaker back on. Verify outlets are wired correctly using a voltage tester.

Doing It Safely Myself Saved Big

By carefully planning out the project, taking safety steps, and methodically running new wires and installing new receptacles and switches, I was able to rewire several rooms in my home for under $50. Doing this work myself rather than hiring an electrician saved me hundreds of dollars. The key was approaching the project slowly, safely, and in stages so I was never in over my head.