Did you know that you could have an new outlet just about anywhere in your home? Home wiring is not as difficult as you think. In fact, if you are willing to reroute the wires from another outlet, or use a split connector, you can install the outlet yourself. Here is how to get started.

Select the Location for the New Outlet

You are probably desperate to get an outlet in your long hallway upstairs, right? A lot of older homes neglected to install outlets where they would make the most sense, and where people could really use them. In your case, and in this example, it is a lack of outlets in a long hallway where it is impossible to vacuum without constantly plugging and unplugging the cord from other available outlets. If you can, pick a spot along these walls, closest to another outlet in a bedroom (or a bathroom). 

Mark the Spot

Using the frame box (through which the wires will be threaded for the new outlet), trace the box on the wall where the outlet will go. It is a good idea to use pencil, in case you want to move the outline before you make the first cut. Then you can erase the previous lines so that they do not show.

Turn off the Power

Make sure you have a good flashlight ready. As soon as you flip the fuse switch for the hallway and the outlets in the nearest room, you will not have the light you need to work with. Leave the power off until your project is complete. 

Cut the Hole

Next, use a reciprocating saw with a short blade meant for drywall. Cut a slit in the center of the area you marked in pencil on the wall. Cut from this center slit to the outline you traced, and then finish cutting out the hole. 

Remove the Face Plate and Outlet Whose Power You Are Going to Borrow/Share

Next, remove the face plate and outlet whose power you are going to either borrow for the new outlet, or split and share. Pull this from the wall until it dangles freely. Using a rubber band, secure one long piece of electrical outlet wiring to the wires that are bundled and attached to the free-swinging outlet. Then feed all of this new piece of wire into the wall, and hopefully, down into your basement.

Take the Long Piece of Wire and Feed It up to the New Outlet Hole

Thread this long piece of wire up through the floor boards in the basement to the new outlet hole. You may need some help so that the wire does not fall back down to you. The other person needs to pull this through the hole in the wall. This is what you connect to the new outlet. There are a series of steps based upon whether you borrow power or split power. Be sure to acquaint yourself with those steps before continuing.