How to Wire a New House: An Expert’s Guide

Many homeowners aren’t afraid to swing the hammer to upgrade or fix their homes. However, when it comes to electrical wiring, things can get intimidating. Like many parts of life, electrical work can range from basic to highly complex.

 Wiring a new house may seem like a challenge you should leave to the trained professionals. But homeowners can do it themselves when they follow the proper steps.

In most states, completing your electrical work is legal if you obtain the necessary permits and follow local codes. Homeowners may want to take advantage of this for several reasons. Whether it is because they want to cut costs, can’t find a reliable electrician, or just want to acquire a new skill, learning how to wire a new house can save substantial money with your new construction wiring.

Wiring a new house goes beyond installing sockets and light switches. You must also decide where the outlets, switches, and electrical wire routing are placed. That includes how to run electrical wire through studs and running wire through trusses. Even if these requirements don’t intimidate you, there are still times when you’ll want to call in a professional, like working on the service panel.

To help you prepare for your new construction electrical project, follow this guide on how to wire a new house.

Every electrical system contains a series of wires that course through the home’s walls. This collection of cables distributes significant amounts of electricity to your appliances. For that reason, your home must have proper wiring and grounding to provide a safe and effective operation.

Grounding is the method used to attach electrical wiring equipment to the earth’s surface to prevent electrical fires and shocks. Before you begin any electrical wiring project, it is crucial to understand the importance of proper wiring to protect your family’s safety and prevent costly damage to your electrical system and personal property.

One of the most significant factors is safety. Everyone in your home is at risk when inaccurate wiring or grounding is present. This error can lead to fatal electrical shocks, severe burns, and muscle spasms. Improper grounding can also cause electrical fires that can threaten life and property.

Multiple federal and local codes are in place to safeguard your appliances. Failure to follow these regulations and standards may result in fines or legal repercussions.

Proper wiring and grounding also reduce the risk of power outages caused by electrical problems within your home. Power surges due to improper wiring could lead to additional electrical issues or interrupt your power supply. By ensuring your wiring is done correctly, whether via a professional or a DIY project, you can minimize the chances of these problems and maintain a consistent power flow.

Every electrical device and appliance must have proper grounding and wiring to prevent dangerous electrical surges. Power outages and other issues with your system can result in an electrical surge that damages your equipment. When your wiring is installed correctly, you’ll prolong the lifespan of your appliances and prevent damage.

You get peace of mind knowing you installed your electrical system correctly and according to every standard. You’ll also enjoy the fruit of your labor without concern because you know you took the necessary steps to protect your home.

Even if you’ve never taken an electrician course, you can safely complete a new construction electrical rough-in. This step is completed before the ceiling, wall, and floor coverings are in place. Follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll be prepared to complete your new construction wiring project.

Electricity is dangerous, so you must have the right tools to complete the project. It is a straightforward task, but preparing with the proper equipment will make it easier. A wire stripper, for example, is one of the most vital tools you can invest in when working with cables and wires.

Other essential tools you’ll need include the following:

Although you can use a drill that plugs into the wall, doing so will create more of a challenge. The wire tends to get in the way when drilling through the studs in the corners.

If you’ve ever talked with a professional electrician, you may have heard them mention the National Electric Code (NEC). It’s a comprehensive list of national codes for residential and commercial wiring. Before starting your project, thoroughly read the guidebook and reference it if questions about compliance arise.

Local building codes are often modifications of the NEC, but you must satisfy both requirements. You must verify the codes specific to your town because neighboring cities may have different regulations. If your wiring doesn’t meet local codes, your building inspectors may not pass it, requiring you to redo it.

Positioning your electrical switches for your home requires careful pre-planning based on each room’s purpose. Where you place these fixtures can make the difference between an easy-to-use room and an electrical source nightmare.

Most people have lived in or visited a home where the sockets are in hard-to-reach places behind furniture. There are also those rooms where you must maneuver through the darkness to find the light switch on the other side.

Light switches have one purpose — to disrupt the electricity flow in the wire before it reaches the light fixture. This disruption is what causes the light to turn off and on. The switch connects two wires that allow the electrical current to travel toward the light fixture or get stopped at the control.

Place your light switches on the side of the door that opens no further than 100 mm from the door and no higher than 1200mm from the floor. You can provide additional lighting by placing other switches in convenient places. For example, if your dining room has two entrances, having a light switch at each one would be beneficial.

With all the electronic devices available today, wall sockets are crucial. However, you do not want to impede on any interior decorations. Plan to install multi-gang sockets near the television and the internet connection. Additional sockets will be for appliances like the refrigerator or oven.

How many sockets you install in a single room will depend on its use. The family room, for example, may require extra sockets. Your plan may include eight in that room, two for the hallway, and six for the main bedroom.

Knowing how to run electrical cables through studs is vital for installing electrical wiring. Drilling holes through these areas lets you keep your electrical wires from sitting on the ground.

The primary rule for drilling holes is that you only want to do it once. Missing a stud slows down your progress, especially when you’re in the middle of pulling a wire. To help you prepare, you must determine how many cables you need to run through a single hole. Knowing this enables you to determine the hole’s size. A .75-inch hole is typically big enough to run two electrical cables through it.

Numerous NEC building codes dictate how large a hole you can cut, so following these regulations is important. One example is that a hole containing a non-metallic cable must be set back a minimum of 1–1.25 inches from the edge of a stud to protect the wires from screws and nails.

After choosing the correct size auger bit, mark the center of the stud for where you need to drill the hole. Regardless of the stud type, you must always place the hole in the direct center to maintain its strength. Once it’s in place, you’re ready to pull the wires through.

Once your holes are in place, it is time to run the cable through them. Many communities require permits and inspections for this step, so ensure you understand your local rules. These regulations are in place to ensure the work is safely done and the wiring is routed correctly through the studs.

Sometimes, this can be the most challenging and time-consuming part of the process, depending on how many wires you have running through it. Threading them smoothly and evenly prevents bulges or kinks from forming. If you’re weaving a single wire, you may be able to do it by hand. However, threading multiple wires requires needle-nose pliers to push and pull it through.

Your newly placed cables must be secured with staples or straps every 4.5 feet. Staples are acceptable, but be careful to avoid puncturing the line.

Connect any exposed wires to your home’s main circuit panel. These wires will be near the ground or on a low shelf in utility rooms, unfinished basements, or garages. Clearly label each wire, indicating which room it is supplying power to. One strategy you could employ is using a permanent marker to mark them before running them to the service panel.

Although installing electrical wiring is relatively simple, we recommend hiring a professional to connect the newly wired cables to the service panel.

Running an electrical wire across the floor creates a safety hazard. Continually stepping on it will wear down the delicate internal wiring, leading to underperforming or a fire. When you know how to run electrical wires around a door, hiding these wires becomes easier. It also helps you ensure that it is safe and out of sight.

First, you must find or create a hole in the doorframe. Sometimes, it is best to have a separate enclosure for each cable. Once the holes are in place, feed the wires through it and press them into the space between the door and the frame. You can connect each wire to the corresponding terminal on the wall plate.

Sometimes, you may have to feed the wire through a corner. When this happens, you have a few options. You can use a flex-bit drill to create a hole several feet from the wood’s edge. This process simplifies sliding the wire through the hole. A second method involves using your finger to retrieve the end of the cable through the hole.

At Swan Electric, we’re here to help all homeowners safely complete their electrical tasks. We support your home, regardless of the project’s size. Do you want to ask us, “How are electrical wires run in walls?” to ensure you’re doing it right? Or perhaps you want to hire us to run the cables for you. If you’re stumped about how to wire a new house, we can help. No matter what you need us for, we’ll be there.

Our family-owned and operated company serves Plano, TX, and the surrounding communities. We have dedicated technicians, not subcontractors, who care and commit to providing reliable service at affordable prices. You can count on us for upfront and transparent pricing. We never want to leave you guessing.

We prioritize your safety, so every employee undergoes a background check and drug testing. Our technicians are licensed, insured, and bonded to protect themselves and you when they are on the job.

Don’t hesitate to call us for a quote if you’d like us to handle your new house wiring. We have technicians available 24/7 who are ready to support your home repair and installation needs. Contact Swan Heating, Plumbing, and Air today to schedule your appointment or have your questions answered by a friendly professional.