I'm looking to install a ceiling fan but I need to install the electrical to it first. I've already installed 3 fans for my sister's house before so I can do that part in 30 min. But this is my first electrical wiring and drywall patching job.

Here's some pictures of what I'm thinking.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/seungc...af.jpg&.src=ph

Another angle
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/seungc...80.jpg&.src=ph

Now, I don't know which way the rafters run, so maybe I'll run the wires differently in the ceiling but you get the picture.

The boxes are where I plan on cutting the drywall so I can run the wires. As for the drywall work, I've been told that I can just screw a paint stick behind the drywall and screw the cut square back on, put some putty goo around the edges, spray some texture in a spray bottle, and paint over and it'll be as good as new.

The switch right now is an "always on" wire that powers 2 wall lights. I'm thinking I can just take this out and put a double switch on in its place.

I know also that the box in the ceiling fan electrical box has to be really secure and screwed onto a rafter or onto 2 metal rail things which are screwed onto the rafters. Am I missing anything? Any other pointers?

 

You don't need to make so many holes....A hole where the fan will be for the box is one, then try to run diagonally across and parallel from where you plan on installing the switches. I hope you have the fishing wire to run through and guide the wiring through the holes...You most definately have beams up there, try to reach over the beams and run the BX cable straight across. I did a similar project, but I cut 2 holes for two boxes, ran it over the beams like I said (I had my full arm up in the ceiling trying to grab the BX cable my friend was fishing to me), went diagonally across, made a hole on the ceiling close to the wall, then another small hole on the wall close to the ceiling, than the last hole down to the switch.


Click to enlarge..

 

It's a condo, not a house so there's no attic. I have to cut through the rafters so I figured a 90 degree would allow me to make the fewest holes across rafters.

 

i had to do the same exact thing, the same exact way. its a pain in the ass, but the way they built the house, there was no other way to go.

no matter how many holes you put, it all depends on the spackle job, if its good, you wont see it

 

Certainly an easy job. The biggest and most crtitcal part to your success is how good can you spackle? If you have never done it - maybe buy some scrap wallboard and practice. Seriously - you will make your ceiling and wall look stupid if you do not know how to finish the job. Some tips that I have learned from doing this type of stuff a lot.

• Use a stud finder (less holes )
• Use a wallboard saw or Dremil (Sp?) to cut the holes
• Save the piece you cut out rather than trying to match another one
• Put ample supports in there - one piece of wood in there may not be enough depending on how big a hole you cut
• If you use the same piece you cut out - you can maybe get away without having to use tape. Sometimes ceilings (if traffic above) can flex and may be better off with some tape first
• Screws, not nails to put the piece back up
• Sink the screw slightly - but do NOT tear through the paper on the wallboard
• Do not just spackle the edges of the cutout - spread the spackle across the entire piece - otherwise you may end up with an outline of a little square on your wall. Also, before I spackle, I take the handle of my putty knife or the wallboard saw and I press in the seam to make it a little indented - otherwise you may have the outline stick up a little. Best to press it in so the spackle has somewhere to go and you do not end up with a speedbump on your wall.
• Patience - do multiple coats and let dry thoroughly between coats - otherwise it could crack (doubful since you are not filling the hole with all spackle in this case)
• Sand
• Coat again
• Sand
• Coat again
• Use a sanding block or a small piece of flat wood with fine grit sandpaper wrapped on it. Blocks are just easier. Do not just sand with paper and your hand - will turn out wavey and not level.
• Use a large putty knife - so you can spread the spackle and make a gradual patch - otherwise again, a stupid square outline on your wall.

Cover your important stuff before you start sanding - that stuff will get EVERYWHERE!! Trust me - even covered it will travel in places you never thought possible. Good idea to buy a mask too - stuff will make your inside of nose look like you're Tony Montana.

Have fun. Practice makes perfect. I have become the family and friends spackler - cause it comes out that good....and I am free I guess


Oh P.S...
Cut the power before you do any wiring

 

I don't have an attic, just a high roof above the ceiling . If the piece that you just cut out for the hole can't be salvaged and reused, you could always get a sheet rock patch, they make it a few ways, one looks like the same stuff that a doctor uses for casts, and the other is a thin sheet of metal (1/8th of an inch thick). You set it with a little joint compound, then go over the edges with the compound, then eventually coat the entire pice with a thin layer of compound. It works good, and gives it a nice, smooth look. Don't forget to buy the sanding block and/or a smoothing sponge, it also helps keep things smooth.