Can I pull my own wire and install outdoor coachlights on my garage? If so - how?

Michael C.

I have a home built in 1989 in Arizona. It did not come with coach lights on either side of the garage, but does have a light and switch by the front door. Can I gang off that switch to add two fixtures to the outside of the house on either side of the garage door or is this something I HAVE to hire a licensed contractor for? If it is permitted for me to do my own work, can someone tell me how to go about this? What kind of boxes do I need to install on each position for the new lighting?

I can't find any information at my library or any of the home improvement stores locally...

oberkc

Yes this is most likely possible, but depends on the structure of your house and how easy is it to run a wire from your front door to your garage. This does not sound like a trivial task to me. It might be easier to find a source of power closer to your garage doors and tap into that, adding a new switch and lights. I understand that many locations throughout the US allow an owner to do their own work, but I cannot speak for Arizona.

Just Bill

From your question, I would guess that you don't know a lot about wiring or electricity. There are good books at homes stores on residential wiring which give the basics, wire types and reasons, box sizing, etc. They do not cover local codes. Most areas allow live in homeowners to do their own work, but it must meet local code and be inspected. As suggested, what you want to do could be easy or difficult, depending on the construction.

If you want a very comprehensive book on the subject, get "Electrical Wiring Residential", by Ray Mullin His 16th addition is referenced to the 2008 NEC. Available on line or in book stores.