rewiring whole garage

[pfmg]

I'm about to start a addition above my attached 3 car garage, 2 bays great room, and one high bay for a lift. Since the addition will require moving the sub panel that's already in the garage, i'd like to rewire it, there are some sketchy things the prev owner did, like Sheet rocking over face stapled wires, i have put 2 screws in them already. So who knows what else he did. the garage is completely finished, but i have no problem opening walls to run wires.

What is the thought on surface mounted conduit? Cost has to be more, but would save a lot of wall patching i guess, and the piece of mind knowing its fixed is worth a lot,

Its for all the typical stuff...wall outlets, switched lights, a couple 240 for welders and plasma cutter, garage openers etc. not sure if id like the look of the conduit, but im sure i could live with it.

I have an electrician coming to get his thoughts on the best way to rewire.

 

[ycgoat]

Surface mounting is fine as long as it is done properly and then it boils down to cost and aesthetics. A big part of properly for surface mounted in the garage is protected from physical damage, such as conduit.

 

[rancherbill]

Surface is OK the only question is resale value.

If you making a taj mahal garage it will lower value, but it sure adds value as a great hobby garage and ev-car house. I would do it.

 

[nadogail]

What are your goals? Pretty or Utility? Hidden cables make for a pretty garage.

Surface mounted conduits are the norm in the Industrial Plants I have worked in.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

I have used EMT in many applications like OP's and the customer was happy…… Wanna go fancy? Use WIREMOLD. $$$
You can do a run of 3/4” or 1” of EMT 12” horizontally down from the ceiling (around the 4 walls) and drop down to switches, receptacles or 90* up to lights.

 

[Terry D]

Pretty much what already has been said. Recessed would be a cleaner look. Everything would have to be planned out ahead for recessed or you will be opening up the wall every time something was added or changed. I like surface mounted conduit, as long as it is installed properly. You could do a little bit of both. But if Your going for that " show " garage look, the recessed might be better. But if you planning on getting serious in there, nothing wrong with conduit

 

[TractorJeff]

My only comment is that; maybe the next owner will find the end of one of the "old" wires and want to use it after calling you DUMB for the conduit. I would probably maybe open a few spots to cut the wire back so the next guy doesn't find it. Then run Conduit as it can always be moved to accommodate growth!

 

[Jim greengo]

If you already know there is questionable wiring in the walls already,I'd gut it and start from scratch myself.
That way you know what you have when it's all done.

 

[Metal-Marc]

I'm currently wiring my garage. I'm using BX metallic cables surface mount. It looks ok on a shop, and it's much easier to move or add outlets in the future.

 

[dcg9381]

What is the thought on surface mounted conduit? Cost has to be more, but would save a lot of wall patching i guess, and the piece of mind knowing its fixed is worth a lot,

Its for all the typical stuff...wall outlets, switched lights, a couple 240 for welders and plasma cutter, garage openers etc. not sure if id like the look of the conduit, but im sure i could live with it.

I have an electrician coming to get his thoughts on the best way to rewire.

I've done it both ways. In the most recent garage "addition" (we closed in a wing of our shop) - I just put 8" of 3/4 ply across the horizontal purlins and then used gray PVC conduit (surface mount) and did it that way. Some if it I didn't even "glue in" just in case I want to make a change in the future. Here's the rough idea:

 

[ycgoat]

It can be argued that a garage presents a physical damage hazard

 

[ddawg16]

How about some pics first?

Cutting and patching drywall is not that hard. Based on your comment about the hack job that was done, you might be better off pulling some drywall off.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Sounds like above the garage will be opened up and new wiring in teh addition above. What about drilling down through the top plate(s) cut a hole for an old work box and fish NM through. No patching drywall required.

 

[pfmg]

All good info, thanks, i have no problem with conduit, and after my electrician looking at it, we think it will be a combination of both. Some conduit runs, and some run in the walls, he is thinking running a small chase or trough along a beam at the center of the ceiling, where it starts will be right were the subpanel box will be moved to, so it works out pretty good from there. from there its an easy run up into the joist, and over and down the wall, just need to cut a couple openings where the wall and ceiling meet.

 

[75gmck25]

In most cases, installing drywall in a garage is a fast job for an experienced crew because the finish quality only needs to be good enough for a garage. If you are already opening up the entire ceiling, then look at opening up one or more walls. You already need a drywall crew for the ceiling, and that's the relatively hard job because of the height. Ask them how much more it would cost to install new drywall on one or more walls.

I know it feels bad to rip out good drywall, but in many cases its really one of the least expensive things to replace. Its a lot cheaper than paying an electrician by the hour to try to work around things and remove as little drywall as possible.

 

[Zeke]

Conduit is a dust collector. You can run conduit high around the garage and with the use of the correct fittings, you can drop NM into any bay you wish to locate a receptacle and cut in an 'old work' box of any size. Therefore, nothing on the walls and not much patchwork. You'll probably run into some fire blocks but they are easy to deal with.

When surface conduit at recep height is there and you decide on a shelf or cabinet, you have to deal with the conduit. Inside the wall, no problem.

 

[andyvh1959]

I did in wall for my garage/shop build. But I also put in duplex outlet boxes every four feet of three walls, on three circuits. One is 20 amp, the other two are 15 amp. Plus an outlet for the welder, air compressor and heater. Six single outlets on the ceiling. Doubt I'd ever need to add any more.