How to Rewire Your Home Yourself on a Budget

Rewiring your home can seem like a daunting task, but with some planning and knowledge, it is possible to rewire your home yourself and save money in the process. Here is a comprehensive guide on how I rewired my home without hiring an electrician and stayed within my budget.

Assessing Your Home's Electrical Needs

The first step is to assess what needs to be rewired in your home.

• Walk through each room and make a list of outlets, switches and fixtures that need to be replaced or upgraded. Pay special attention to outlets that are loose, damaged, overloaded or not grounded. These should be high priority for replacement.

• Check the electrical panel to see if it needs to be replaced or upgraded. An older fuse box should be upgraded to a circuit breaker panel. Also take note of the number of circuits and their amperage. This will determine if more circuits need to be added.

• Identify any new circuits you want installed - for example, installing recessed lighting, a home office, or wiring for a hot tub. New additions may require running new wiring.

• Consult local building codes to determine if your existing wiring meets current safety standards. Older homes may need upgrades to meet changed code requirements.

Thoroughly assessing your home's electrical needs will give you a roadmap for your rewiring project.

Creating a Rewiring Plan

With your assessment complete, the next key step is to map out a detailed rewiring plan. This should include:

• Which circuits and wires you plan on replacing
• The route the new wires will take through walls and ceilings
• What type of wiring to use - copper or aluminum
• The amperage rating needed for each circuit

• Any new circuits to be added

• A circuit diagram showing all circuits, outlets, switches and fixtures

• A list of materials and tools needed for the project

• Safety considerations like turning off power, warning signs, equipment

• Contingency plans for potential challenges or changed needs

Having a comprehensive written plan will make the rewiring process smoother and help avoid costly mistakes.

Purchasing Materials on a Budget

Rewiring a whole house requires a lot of wire and materials which can get expensive. Here are some tips for saving money on purchases:

• Buy wire in bulk rolls rather than pre-cut pieces - it is significantly cheaper. Plan measurements ahead of time.

• Use 12/2 copper wire for 15 to 20 amp branch circuits. Less expensive than thicker 10/2 wire.

• Buy off-brand electrical boxes rather than big name brands - they are just as good.

• Check sale prices at big box hardware stores - sometimes wire and connectors go on sale.

• Shop at wholesale electrical supply companies - they offer better prices than retail stores.

• Buy used fixtures and switches at Habitat for Humanity or salvage stores. Clean them up and they look great.

• Find coupons and promo codes for electrical supply websites to save on shipping.

With some savvy shopping, you can redo the wiring in a whole house for under $1000 in materials.

Safety First - Turning Off Power

Before beginning any rewiring work, safety should be your top priority. Accidents with live electrical wires can be lethal.

• Turn off the main breaker in the service panel to disconnect power to the whole house.

• To be double sure, also unscrew fuses or switch off individual breakers.

• Use a non-contact voltage tester to confirm wires are de-energized. Test multiple spots.

• Place warning signs like " danger" at the service panel and install safety barriers around your workspace.

• If you must work on live wires, wear certified electrical safety gloves and use insulated tools.

Working on de-energized circuits is much safer and avoids risk of shocks or electrocution. Don't take shortcuts when it comes to electrical safety.

Running New Wiring Through Walls and Attics

To run new wiring, you'll need to "fish" it through walls, ceilings and attics. Here are some tips:

• Use a drywall saw to cut holes where wires will enter and exit. Make holes centered between studs and joists whenever possible.

• Thread wire through electrical staples to tack it against studs and joists for support and keep it away from insulation or vapor barriers.

• Run wire through wall cavities and crawl spaces. Avoid exterior wall cavities which may contact insulation.

• Use fish tape or glow rods to thread wire through inaccessible areas like finished walls or ceilings. Have someone feed the rod from the opposite end if needed.

• In attics, run wiring across rafters and joists. Staple frequently to prevent sagging. Avoid loose insulation.

• Use flexible conduit for exposed wiring runs across basements, garages or exterior walls if necessary.

With patience and care, you can successfully run wires to any location in your home.

Installing New Outlets, Switches and Fixtures

The fun part is installing your new wiring and fixtures:

• Carefully remove existing outlets and switches without damaging surrounding drywall.

• Strip wire ends, twist wires together, add a wire connector and wrap with electrical tape. Follow diagrams for proper connections.

• Mount new electrical boxes and thread wire through the openings before attaching outlets.

• Use adjustable hole saws to cut appropriate sized openings for fixtures.

• Attach components securely using proper mounting screws.

• Use wire nuts to join multiple wires in boxes. Keep different gauge wires separate.

• Attach wall plates and turn power back on once complete.

• Test each outlet's wiring with a circuit tester before connecting appliances or fixtures.

Follow basic wiring diagrams correctly and your new outlets, switches and lights will work perfectly.

Completing the Job - Inspection and Cleanup

You're almost done! Finish up your rewiring project:

• Replace any walls, insulation or vapor barriers you had to remove to run wiring.

• Caulk and paint to cover drywall patches, holes and scrapes.

• Vacuum up any wire clippings, dust or debris. Dispose of properly.

• Label all circuits clearly in the electrical panel.

• Hire an electrician to do a final inspection and catch any mistakes.

• Correct any issues found before turning everything on.

Taking care with repairs and final testing ensures your rewiring job looks seamless and works properly for years to come.

Rewiring your home is very rewarding and can save thousands of dollars in electrician fees. With adequate planning upfront and attention to detail during, you can successfully rewire your home yourself on a budget. Just be sure to always keep safety first!