How to Hook Up Multiple Outlets While Finishing a Basement

Sketch out a plan for the location of your outlets on a piece of paper. Keep in mind the expected location of electronics and other devices you'll need to plug in.

Place an outlet box so the bottom is 16 inches up from the floor at each of the locations and nail them to the vertical studs at these spots. Be sure the front edge of the outlet box extends in front of the stud even with the thickness of the drywall you'll be installing.

Drill 1-inch holes in the vertical studs, extending along the run of cable you'll need to power the outlets. Place the holes 12 inches above the outlet boxes.

Cut lengths of electrical cable long enough to extend through the holes from box to box, with an extra six inches of cable at each end.

Pry out the top tabs of the outlet boxes with a screwdriver. Route the cables through the holes in the studs and down into the outlet boxes. Nail the cable to the vertical studs when they make their downward runs, using cable staples.

Remove three inches of insulation from the ends of each cable, exposing the black and white wires. Remove 1/2-inch of insulation from the ends of each of the black and white wires.

Attach the black and white wires to the brass and silver screws, respectively, of each outlet. Use the lower screws for the wire coming in from the right, and attach the wires going to the left to the upper screws. Tighten the screws.

Place the outlets in the boxes and attach with the screws at the top and bottom front of the box.