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The easiest way to cut holes in drywall for electrical boxes is to use a spiral saw with a drywall router bit. Hang the drywall without cutting out a hole for the box, but make sure you measure and mark where the box is located on the wall. Once you screw in the drywall sheet, drill a small hole into the box void, insert the spiral saw bit, and move it around the edge of the box using the inside wall as a guide. You can also use an oscillating multi-tool with an electrical box cutout for fast, professional results.

Whether you apply the drywall mesh before or after drywall mud depends on the type of patch it is. For self-adhesive patches, you’ll put the patch down first and then coat it with mud. Mesh patches that are not self-adhesive will require you to put mud down first and then press the mesh into it, followed by additional coats of mud.

Any level over 17% moisture should be replaced, as this could be a sign that the drywall is too compromised to be considered safe. A contractor or water restoration provider can come out and use a moisture meter to check the moisture level in your drywall. 

If after a visual inspection you’re still unsure about if your drywall is salvageable, a professional reading is the next best option.

In most cases, walls don’t have to be removed to rewire a house. Much of the new wiring can be run through attics and crawlspaces, and then electricians often use a tool called fish tape to pull the cables through the walls via cut access points that can be easily patched up without requiring any major demo work.