Hi,

My bedrooms have 2 3-Way switches which control a plug outlet on the wall. Presumably for use with a lamp or nightstand. One switch at the doorway and another where the bed presumably was.

Family wants the switches to control the ceiling fan and lights instead. Is this a diy job? I’m fairly comfortable with electrical basics.
I for one, am not in favour of the idea.

Is another option just to run a separate line and have a 2nd switch at the doorway making everyone happy. One switch to control the ceiling light and one switch to control the lamp outlet?

 

DIY or not depends on your skills and how much work you want to do. Since the switches do not currently control the ceiling fan, new wire must be run. So, whichever of your two options you choose you will need to somehow run wire through the walls and ceiling.

 

Personally I think taking power from a switched receptacle is one of the easiest ways to add ceiling lights, especially if you have full access from the attic. Once you have ceiling lights the switched receptacles are no longer required.

Assuming you have access from the attic, here's a typical way to get a cable up to the ceiling:
- cut out the existing receptacle box using a multi-tool to cut the nails
- Remove and separate all wires from the box, determine which wire is constant hot and which is switched (red or black)
- Using fiberglass fish rods, you might be able to get a new cable down to the old box opening without cutting any holes
- Once you get the cable down to the hole, install an old work box and a new receptacle. The new receptacle will be fed by the constant hot wire and the lights will be fed by the switched hot wire. The receptacle needs changed because the existing will have the side tab removed, making it two separate receptacles. You need to keep the hot tab intact making both of the duplex receptacles hot.

The fiberglass rods work very well and are in 5' sections. At most, you might need to cut a small hole at the fire block level to guide the rod through.

 

That needs to be confirmed first. The wiring in general needs to be checked because if that receptacle is completely switched.... there may not be always live power there.

 

How to insert pictures.

Yes, pictures of the receptacle wiring might be in order.

 

This is the obvious the correct solution. You're going to run new wire no matter what. All you need is a live feed. Nothing more. Best of both worlds. The two way switched receptacle will still be available if and when you want them. If you want the receptacles always on, remove the switches and use a cover plate to cover where the switches were. Nice and neat.

 

What about just removing the two switches and installing 3 way wireless switches.

This would seem the easiest method. Install the controller in the ceiling light and replace the wired switches with the wireless switch.