Hi all - I've done quite a bit of remodeling and have started another house- I told husband I could paint, upgrade kitchen and rent the place quickly. (That was 6 months ago and he reminds me of it almost daily - so I'd really like to move on this)

I decided to "gut" bedrooms to insulate the walls (there was none) and while I'm at it have a few recepticles added.

Okay I've torn out the walls and am ready to go - I'm now in my 7th week of waiting for electrician (area was flooded recently and he's extremely busy)
So now I'm basically dead in the water - can't insulate/sheetrock until wiring is done.

What I'd like to do is prep the area for him, drill holes for wiring through studs and on the first floor is find routes for recepticals and cut holes in plaster/lathe so all he needs to do is run wiring.

Couple of questions - can I put additional insulation in attic w/o interfereing with what electrician needs to do or will he have to run the wiring under it? I'm only planning on rolling out the r25 over the existing r 19.

Can the new recepticles be run from some of the old? right now the wiring is bx? (kinda wiring covered with flexible metal tubing? Not knob and tube)

I've never used this before and am only familiar with 12 2 & 14 2 wire. I'm only looking to get 4 more recepticles in each room (they both have at least 3 now and are about 10' x 15' each. I'd like at least one new line in each room for possible window a/c.

Also in the first floor (which is plaster lathe) there seems to be an obstuction running through all walls at about 2.5 - 3.5 ft (I can get a "snake" down to that height from 2nd floor or up to that height from cellar) would I be better off figuring on running the "high" lines such as counter top recepticles from 2nd floor/attic or in the case of low recpts from the cellar? It may cost more material wise, but I'm confident I could find an unobstructed route. BTW The panel box has adequate room for additional breakers.

 

I think that anything you do will probably slow the electrician down rather than help. Since you are renovating, you will be required to bring this up to today's code. Unless you are quite familiar with what all those codes are, it seems unlikely that what you do will conform. And adding more insulation before he comes will almost certainly slow him down. You may cut holes in studs where he doesn't need them, and holes for receptacles in the wrong places which will only mean the holes will have to be repaired later.

Your best bets are to (1) learn all the codes, get a permit, and do the work yourself, or (2) wait for the electrician.

 

You made some good points - I think I'll call another electrician and when he shows up for the estimate ask him what I can do to move this along. I work in the Code Enforcement office and understand about permits and have access to latest codes - I'm a good reader but electrical code are slow and difficult reading for me! Also we don't have an in house electrical inspector so I don't have any "free" advice on this one. I guess I should just be happy that when it comes to any other part of remodeling, I have someone to go to for help.

After doing 5 house remodels (including 3 tear outs) I've been able to do everything from "scratch" myself. I haven't yet gotten in over my head - no sense to start now! I know when I can save myself time & labor costs, but w/o guidance I'll bow out this time. Thanks again ( I hate doing electirc anyway and have thus far kept it to wiring light fixtures, & putting in recepticles and switches After the electrician has run all the wiring!)