Step 1: Attach New Gang Boxes

To help make sense of your power situation, consult a licensed electrician before beginning any work. For this project, an electrician removed excess wiring and cleaned up existing circuits.

Next, attach new gang boxes directly to the wall studs. Be sure to comply with any local building code requirements.

Step 2: Run New Wire

To run and support new wire to the gang boxes, fit a power drill with a spade bit and bore holes through the studs around the basement (Image 1). Because the new wire only needs to be supported every 4-1/2 feet, you may not need to drill through every stud.

Run a new wire circuit from an existing overhead light and through holes in the studs. Then run wire from outlet to outlet, daisy chaining and leaving about 1 foot of excess wire tucked in for later hook-ups (Image 2).

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    Image 1

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    Image 2

Step 3: Protect the Wiring

Before moving on to insulation, support and protect the wiring by hammering on brackets and nail plates to the studs in front of the wire.

Step 4: Install the Insulation

With the rough electrical complete, tuck batts of R13 insulation into all of the spaces between the wall studs and joists of the exposed ceilings. In addition to cutting down on energy loss through the foundation, the insulation provides excellent noise reduction.

Step 5: Install a Vapor Barrier

To completely insulate your basement, trim and staple a plastic vapor barrier over the framed walls. Keeping a basement free of moisture reduces the musty condition commonly associated with some basements.