How to Do New Electrical Wiring Through Walls

Slide a stud locator over the wall or ceiling to locate the ceiling joists or wall studs in the area you want to install a new fixture, switch or outlet. Mark the studs with blue painter's tape, so you do not damage the paint on the walls or ceiling.

Trace around the opening of the new, remodel electrical box onto the wall or ceiling. A remodel box secures directly to the drywall, and does not have to be nailed to a stud or joist.

Push a jab saw through the drywall along the trace line on the wall. Carefully saw along the trace line to remove the drywall.

Follow an imaginary line from the opening you cut in the wall up to where the wall meets the ceiling. Push a small diameter, sturdy piece of wire, such as an unbended coat hanger, through the ceiling right next to the wall. Secure the wire in place with painter's tape.

Go into your attic and carefully move to the area where you intend to place the new outlet, fixture or switch. Use a flashlight to locate the wire you pushed through the ceiling.

Drill a 1/2-inch hole with a 1/2-inch drill bit through the wall top plate next to the wire you pushed through the ceiling. The top plate of the wall consists of one or two 2-by-4s.

Feed a fish tape through the hole you drilled in the wall plate, down through the wall and out the hole you cut in the drywall. Have a partner shine a flashlight into the hole you cut in the drywall, which can help you guide the fish tape through the wall. Your partner can pull the fish tape through the opening.

Bend the new electrical wire around the hook in the end of the fish tape. Secure the new wire to the fish tape by wrapping it in electrical tape.

Reel the fish tape up through the wall, pulling the new electrical wire with it. Cut through the electrical tape to release the wire from the fish tape. Pull the wire to a junction box that will power your new plug or switch.