Installing or upgrading electrical wiring in your home can be an expensive endeavor. The national average cost to rewire a house is $8,000 to $15,000. However, there are ways you can reduce your electrical wiring costs through unconventional methods. Here are some tips and tricks I've learned to save money on electrical wiring projects.
H1: Do Your Own Basic Electrical Work
Doing some of the basic electrical work yourself can yield significant savings. Electrical work costs $50 to $100 per hour or more for a licensed electrician. However, you can legally perform basic wiring in your own home as a homeowner.
Some projects you can likely handle on your own include:
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Installing additional outlets - Adding a new outlet by branching off an existing circuit is usually straightforward. This can cost $150 or more paying an electrician.
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Running new wiring inside walls - Fish wire through walls and install new runs to outlets and switches safely. Just be sure to turn off the circuit first.
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Installing new switches or lights - As long as the circuit breaker is off, this kind of work is perfect for DIY.
Be sure you understand basic electrical safety and principles before performing any work yourself. Only work on small projects within your skill level.
H2: Use Lower Cost Wiring Methods
You can also save money on materials by using cheaper wiring techniques allowed by code in certain cases:
H3: Use NM Cable Instead of Conduit
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NM (nonmetallic) cable is the standard electrical wire found in homes.
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It is much cheaper than running wires through conduit.
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NM cable is perfectly acceptable by code for most residential applications.
H3: Use a Homerun System
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Homruns involve running wiring directly from each device back to the breaker panel.
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This avoids expensive junction boxes and makes for a cleaner install.
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Cost savings can be 20% or more compared to using junction boxes.
H2: Take Advantage of Existing Wiring
Another way to save is by using existing wiring in creative ways:
H3: Piggyback Off Existing Circuits
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When possible, tap into existing circuits for new outlets or switches.
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This avoids running new wire from the panel, which can be very expensive.
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Just be careful not to overload the circuit with excessive demand.
H3: Use Old Wiring for Low-Voltage Systems
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Old existing wiring that may not be suitable for high wattage can be repurposed.
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Use it for low voltage lighting, doorbells, or other systems under 50 volts.
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This saves the cost of new wiring runs.
H2: Shop Smart for Materials
You can realize major savings by shopping around for electrical materials:
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Check prices at big box stores - Home Depot, Lowes and others often have deals. Compare prices on different brands of wire, outlets, breakers, etc.
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Look for surplus electrical supplies - Check locally owned electric wholesale supply shops for discounted supplies and remnants.
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Search eBay or Craigslist - You can sometimes find excellent deals on new and used electrical supplies. Always check reviews carefully first.
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Buy in bulk - For a big rewire project, buying a bulk spool of copper wire can lead to savings as high as 50% versus buying by the foot at retail.
H2: Consider Assistance Programs
Finally, be sure to check available rebates, incentives, and assistance programs:
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Many utility companies offer rebates for energy efficient electrical upgrades.
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Your local government may have special ** incentive programs** available to reduce electrical costs for homeowners.
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Payment assistance programs like LIHEAP sometimes offer help for home electrical improvement projects for qualifying applicants.
With a little creativity and cost-saving measures, you can complete an electrical upgrade or rewire project much more affordably. Pay attention to safety, research all methods thoroughly, and consult an electrician if you have any doubts before performing work yourself. But using one or more of these unconventional cost-saving techniques can potentially chop thousands of dollars off your electrical project budget.