Rewiring a house can be a complex project but don’t let it catch you off guard. Read this to plan ahead and discover the cost to rewire a house.
How to Wire a House: 9 Steps to Follow (and When to Call a Pro)
This is one high-level DIY that most homeowners should leave to a pro
Get quotes from electricians near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from electricians near you
No obligation · 100% free
SKILL LEVEL
Expert
COMPLETION TIME
7 days
COST
$500–$1,000
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
- Wire stripper
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Power drill
- Pencil
SUPPLIES
- Electrical wire
- Wire connectors
- Cable staples
- Electrical tape
- Electrical conduit
Electrical systems are complex networks that power the lights, outlets, and appliances in your home. It's not easy to build one from scratch, and it’s crucial to know a lot about electrical codes, safety regulations, and how all the parts fit together to make sure your home's power is delivered safely. Although it might be possible to do it yourself, this DIY requires advanced knowledge and experience with electrical work, as well as careful planning and execution to avoid serious safety hazards. If you don’t have the proper skills and training, it’s best to invest in a local electrician to ensure your home’s wiring system is safe and compliant with local building codes. This guide explains how to wire a house and when to call an electrician.
Prepping to Wire a House
Before beginning the wiring process, it’s essential to create an electrical plan for the placement of outlets, switches, and light fixtures, as well as the location of the main electrical panel. You should also consider the number of circuits you’ll need, and calculate the electrical load that your home requires. This will help you determine your electrical service needs and the types of wires and breakers to pick up. Be sure to carefully review local building codes and regulations to ensure your plan is safe and up-to-code.
You can use a pencil to mark the location on either side of the open wall space where they will go, or write directly on the wall if the drywall is not yet installed. Mark each box as either a duplex receptacle (dual outlet), single switch, GFCI, three-way switch, or light fixture. Use initials or electrical symbols for easy reference.
Important Safety Tip
To ensure that your electrical system meets local building codes and safety standards, review your electrical plan with a licensed electrician.
Install the Main Electrical Panel
The main electrical panel is where the power from the utility company enters your home and gets distributed to the various circuits around the house. To install it, shut off the power to your home at the meter or power main. Then, mount it in a location that follows local building codes and regulations.
Place Electrical Boxes on Your Home’s Wooden Frame
Place each electrical box on your home’s wooden frame to determine its location and height. Measure each wall with a tape measure and use a level to ensure everything is flush. Standard heights for outlets are 12 inches, and the proper height for light switches should be 48 inches from the floor. Mount your box into the exposed wooden frame, placing a 2x4 behind so it juts forward enough to allow sufficient space for the drywall and window frames.
Drill Boreholes for Cables
Photo: coffeekai / iStock / Getty ImagesNext, drill holes through the wall studs to run electrical cables through and around the room. Holes should be a minimum of 3/4 inch in diameter and at least 1 1/4 inch away from the back of the stud or the wall. This helps ensure that the cables will run through the center without touching any of the surrounding walls.
Run Electrical Wire and Conduit
Once the electrical panel and boxes are installed, begin running electrical wire and conduit throughout the house. Make sure to follow electrical color codes for hot, neutral, and ground wires. Again, if you’re not extremely well-versed in electrical wiring, consider hiring a professional electrician to ensure everything is up to code.
Start by running the conduit from the panel to the location of each outlet, switch, and fixture. Next, pull the wires through the conduit, ensuring there are no kinks or bulges. While a single wire can be threaded by hand, you may need to use needle-nose pliers to push and pull multiple cables through.
Important Safety Note
When running electrical wire and conduit, always follow local building codes and safety standards. For example, you should never run electrical wires through the same holes as plumbing or gas pipes. It’s best to consult with a local electrician to ensure the safety of your home’s wiring setup.
Cut the Cable to Size and Strip the Wires
When you reach each circuit or switch box, cut the cable to fit, leaving at least 12 inches of extra length to avoid cutting it too short. Secure wires to wall studs or other surfaces with cable staples. Strip the last section of sheathing, exposing roughly 2 inches of the wires. Use wire covers to keep the ends safe until installation is completed.
Route the Cables to the Main Electrical Panel
Photo: powerofforever / iStock / Getty Images PlusTake the exposed wires and route them to the main circuit panel, connecting them to their corresponding circuits in the panel. It’s highly advisable to hire a professional electrician for this last step. Leave around 5 feet of extra cable to make it easier for your electrician to connect the cables to the panel.
Thread Wires Through the Electrical Boxes
Thread the cables through the pre-cut holes in each electrical box and staple them roughly 10 inches from the box against the wall studs for security. Strip the wires so they’re ready to connect to each circuit and switch. Use wire covers to keep the ends protected until installation is completed.
Group and Label the Wires
Once you've completed the wiring, group and label the wires appropriately. Using a marker and electrical tape is an effective method for this task, or you can use wire labels or zip ties. Proper grouping and labeling allow you to easily identify which wires belong to which devices such as overhead lighting, outlets, or light switches. This will make it a lot easier to install your fixtures, as well as troubleshoot and make any necessary changes to the wiring in the future.
Install Switches, Fixtures, and Outlets
Photo: m-gucci / iStock / Getty Images PlusOnce you’re sure you’re finished with wiring, finish your drywall. Then, install your electrical outlets, light switches, and fixtures. Make sure to install GFCIs wherever there's moisture, such as in your bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen.
Should You DIY Wiring Your House?
Electrical projects—especially complex ones such as rewiring your home—should more often than not be left to the pros. If you have prior experience in electrical work and are well-versed in electrical safety and confident in your abilities, then you might be able to do it yourself. However, it's essential to consider the level of complexity of the project and the risks involved. Poorly done electrical work can cause electrical fires, electrical shocks, and other safety hazards, which can put your family and property at risk.
Additionally, DIY wiring may not meet local building codes, which can result in fines and leave you unable to sell your home until the issues are fixed. It can also void your homeowner’s insurance in the event of an injury or accident. For these reasons and more, it’s always best to seek the expertise of a professional to keep your home and family safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Electrical services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.7★ avg. • 107 total reviews
- Jeff B.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon Mitigation - Regina H.
I conferred with 2 other contractors before Armstrong Electric. Nick and his crew showed me that the project was not as convoluted as the other contractors made it appear to be. They completed the entire project on time. They were professional, friendly and cleaned up after at completion. I...
Armstrong Electric LLC - Jeffrey J.
The techs on my project, Shawn and Cliff, were great. They were prompt, courteous, and efficient. I am very happy with the results and would definitely contact Mr. Electric for any future electrical projects.
Mr. Electric of Columbus - William R.
Victor was wonderful. He was on time, professional, and explained everything he was doing. He was thorough and figured out that the problem was electrical instead of with my HVAC system. Very knowledgeable. I will be using this company in the future for any HVAC needs. Thanks!
Hubbs Heating & Air LLC - Jerald W.
They were excellent. They did a great job. I was totally satisfied. They put tremendous effort in making sure the work was completed. They were great. They provided immediate response to any inquires I made. I would hire them again. I would recommend them to anyone who needs electrical work....
Property-Tech Industries, LLC - Paul H.
Initially, the repairman could not find the problem. Apparently, there was some electrical shortage, but he could not find the definite problem. He left, but called back later to say he had a new idea. He returned and replaced the light switches on the doors. The refrigerator seemed to return...
Appliance Pro LLC - Sarah C.
The initial quoted price from a walk-through seemed high, but we discussed that the quote represented worst case scenario (re-wiring to two floors) and we were excited about the opportunity to have the work done in a timely manner with closing for fire safety reasons, etc. When the job was...
- Erin W.
I have to tell you I am all about customer service - I will go out of my way and even pay more for it if you give me great customer service. <br> <br>In a world where this is hard to find, these guys were awesome! I can not sing their praises enough. They were prompt, personable, funny, got...
Waibel Electric - Bradley H.
When I challenged the markup on the generator, Bruder Electric withdrew its bid. They only want naïve customers.
- Gregory B.
We had no power to any of the electrical outlets in the MBR. We'd had an intermittent problem for a few years and they finally went out all together. We live on the 3rd floor of a 100 year old building and I know from past experience the wiring has been added to in hodgepodge ways over the...
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