How to Safely Rewire Your Home Without an Electrician and Save Thousands

Why Rewire Your Home?

Rewiring your home can seem like a daunting task, but it can also save you thousands of dollars in electrician fees. Here are some of the top reasons homeowners choose to rewire their homes themselves:

• Upgrading to a larger electrical service - If your home's electrical needs have changed, you may need to upgrade to 200 amps or more. Rewiring lets you upgrade your service inexpensively.

• Replacing old wiring - Knob and tube wiring found in older homes is inefficient and potentially dangerous. Rewiring lets you replace it with modern wiring.

• Improving safety - Rewiring lets you add more circuits, replace undersized wiring, and ensure safety features like AFCIs and GFCIs are in place.

• Adding circuits - Additional lights, appliances and electronics may require new circuits to handle the extra load.

• Preparing to remodel - Any major remodel usually requires rewiring to support additional outlets and fixtures.

Dangers of Rewiring Your Home

While rewiring a home can save money, there are some significant dangers to be aware of:

• Electrocution - Coming into contact with live wires can result in serious injury or death by electrocution. Turning off the main breaker is essential.

• Fire - Faulty wiring can overheat and cause electrical fires. All wiring must meet electrical code to prevent this.

• Equipment damage - Mistakes during installation can damage appliances, electronics and lighting fixtures throughout the home.

• Liability - Any mistakes that lead to injury or property damage can leave you legally liable if an electrician does not do the work.

Evaluating Your Skill Level

Before beginning, honestly assess your skill level:

• Have you wired new circuits before? Or assisted an electrician?

• Do you understand important electrical concepts like voltage, amperage, and Ohm's law?

• Can you read and understand basic wiring diagrams?

• Do you know the electrical code requirements for your area?

If you answered no to any of these questions, consider hiring an electrician to be safe. Rewiring is not a DIY project for beginners.

Getting Prepared

If you feel ready to tackle a full rewiring project, here are some ways to prepare:

Learn Electrical Basics

• Read guides and watch tutorials to learn core concepts
• Understand how to calculate load, voltage drop, and wire sizing
• Learn how to select overcurrent protection like breakers and fuses

Study Electrical Code

• Get a copy of the National Electrical Code (NEC) or your local code
• Understand the rules for wiring methods, box fill, wire types, etc.
• Check your local area for any additional requirements

Assemble Proper Tools

• Voltmeter, clamp meter, cable stripper, wire cutters, hand tools
• Ladder to access ceilings and high areas safely
• Personal protective equipment - glasses, gloves, face shield

Create a Plan

• Decide which circuits to add, remove, or rewire
• Map out wiring paths through walls, ceilings, and floors
• Calculate expected load and size wires accordingly

Shutting Off Power

The most dangerous step is working on live wires. To stay safe:

• Turn off main breaker and verify power is off with a voltmeter
• Turn off supplemental breakers for solar, generators, etc.
• Attach warning signs so power is not turned back on unexpectedly

Follow lockout/tagout procedures and assume wires are live until proven dead.

Removing Old Wiring

Once power is off, removal can begin:

• Remove outlet and switch cover plates
• Label wires so you know where they were originally connected
• Disconnect wires from outlets, switches and appliances
• Pull wires out of boxes and conduit to remove them

Try to salvage copper wiring to help offset costs. Ensure old wiring is fully removed.

Routing New Wires

Now new wiring can be run:

• Start by routing main wires from the electrical panel through framing
• Use staples to secure cables every 4 1⁄2 feet as required by code
• Drill holes to route wires between floors and into difficult areas
• Run 2 or 3 wire cables to devices like lights, outlets and switches

Keep wire runs as short and direct as possible.

Connecting New Wires

Refer to labels, diagrams, and wire color codes when connecting:

• Connect the ground wire to the grounding screw or wire
• Attach the neutral wire to the neutral terminal
• Connect the hot wire to the hot terminal or device
• Double check connections are tight and no copper is exposed

Use wire nuts or terminal blocks to join wires securely.

Wrapping Up the Project

As you near completion:

• Mount new electrical boxes and feed wires inside
• Label and organize circuits clearly in the panel
• Attach cover plates, outlets, switches and fixtures
• Inspect work thoroughly for code violations
• Have an electrician inspect the job before turning power back on

Passing inspection means you've succeeded in safely rewiring!

Maintaining Your New Wiring

• Add AFCIs and GFCIs to protect against arcs and shorts
• Test wiring regularly and address any tripped breakers right away
• Hire an electrician for any future changes to ensure they meet code
• Never overload circuits - be aware of capacity when adding loads
• Have wiring reinspected when selling home or during renovations

By mastering electrical basics and code, you can take on a major rewiring job yourself and gain peace of mind knowing your home's electrical system is safer and more efficient than ever before. Just be sure to stay safe by securing permits, following precautions, and having professionals inspect the finished work.