Hello! First, I must apologize in advance - I know NOTHING about electrical... stuff! I live in the city of Philadelphia and we've purchased a new (as in newly built) home. The architect enjoyed windows so much that he gave us 40 of them! As a result, I have little wall space, and what I do have seems to be invaded by light switches.

I'd like to move some of the light switches over to make room for furniture. Is this actually a feasible thing to do (move light switches?) If so, can I just have a very general ballpark cost per switch (usually 2 per wallplate, some have one) For some of them, I literally just want to move the switches and plate by 4-6 inches. In other cases, I wouldn't mind moving the switch past (one of the many) windows and over to another wall (usually on the same side)

I'd volunteer my husband (or me :eek: ) for the job, but we just bought the place - we'd like to enjoy it a bit before we burn it down!

Thanks in advance for your help! Danielle

E RICSMOM:: tHERE ARE ELECTRICAL CODES THAT HAVE TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE ELECTRICIAN that done the electrical, on you new house What I would do is call the electrician, that done the electrical, or another electrician, LICESENED ( And talk to him about what you need and if there is a way to help you and stay in code . IF you are not learned in electrical (PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO DO THIS YOURSELF) it can be hazaredious to your health:::::::::: IF I have helped you please rate my answer below God bless , stay safe.

Contacting the original electrician is actually a great idea. Who better than knows the routing of cables, circuits, switch loops, etc.

Volunteering someone to do electrical work that knows nothing is not a good idea.

If changing or adding wiring is difficult, ask about X-10 devices. These need to be connected to 120 volt, but allow switching for loads without too much wiring, as they use signals through the existing wiring to operate.

The X-10 devices may be a good idea. You may as well get this from me as the electrician you hire. Although you can run a wire from an existing switch box to a new one, the old box must remain with a cover on it. To leave blank wall where the switch was, you would need to remove the wiring, although maybe disconnecting it in another box would do. All this will mean ripping up a lot of drywall. The suggestion of bringing back the original electricians is as sound as most of tkrussell's advice.

If done in conduit, would be relatively easy for an electrician to get switch legs, through a couple of recepticles, then fish up a wall to new location, If moving over only a few inches,
an electrician may run wires between the 2. Like above, do not permanently cover with drywall and mud, cover with blank plate, then maybe a picture, or other artwork.
If Romex, then X10 may be easy solution.

In many cases, I am afraid drywall people don't realize they shouldn't hide junction boxes.

Thanks all -- I think going to the original electrician (and keeping it as simple as possible - I liked the idea of a blank plate to replace!) makes sense and may be most cost effective.

Ericsmom::,Youv been given the best advice, someone can receive I did't want to mention the x-10 devices or more then I did so I would not get confused. Iknew that the others would jump in and help alsoand give some good advice. Nice going guys F.B.E.

There are many levels of Electricians. While the person who originally wired the house may be excellent on New Construction. Fishing wires, cutting in boxes with no or minimum destruction, a little more challenging, and requires a more experienced electrician.
Your original electrician may be the one. Even then you would want the Electrician who wired it more than the company they work for, They may remember steel, concrete,
Plumbing, and air ducts allowing or denying a way around.
Do you have conduit?

Check into wireless technology... it can really save time and money

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