How to Pull Wires Through Stud Cavities

Chuck a 3/4 inch spade bit into a power drill. Bore a hole into the floor or through the top plate of the wall between the studs. The top plate is a framing member that attaches to the wall studs at ceiling level. Whether you drill through the floor or top plate depends on where you plan to tap into a junction box for a power hookup.

Cut a hole in the drywall where you plan to mount the electrical fixture. Cut the hole using a drywall saw. Punch the saw into the wall and follow the outline of the box to create a rough opening.

Thread the end of a wire snake through the cutout made into the drywall and feed the snake up toward the ceiling or down toward the floor, depending on your installation. As the end of the snake reaches the hole you drilled, you may need to insert a piece of wire coat hanger into the hole so you can grab the end of the snake and pull it through.

Insert the end of the electrical wire through the tab on the snake. Secure the connection with a few wraps of electrical tape.

Reel the snake gently, pulling the electrical wire from the opening in the drywall all the way through the hole you bored into the floor or top plate. Disconnect the wire from the snake’s tab and pull through enough electrical wire to make the connections you will need.