Home Improvement Ideas DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides How to Install an Electrical Box at the Depth of Drywall in Framing Take this important electrical step before putting up your drywall. You'll thank yourself later! By Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole Caitlin Sole is the senior home editor at BHG. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of interior design expertise. She has vast experience with digital media, including SEO, photo shoot production, video production, eCommerce content, print collaboration, and custom sales content. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on October 24, 2022 Trending Videos Close this video player Project Overview Total Time: 30 minutes Skill Level: Kid-friendly Wiring installation is easier before the walls and ceilings get covered with drywall or plaster. Installing electrical boxes the depth of drywall while studs and joists are exposed is a handy and simple solution for homeowners. To do this on your own, buy switch and receptacle boxes that meet local codes and are large enough for the wires they hold. It's easy to underestimate, so buy extra supplies. At the same time you install boxes, attach fans, lights, or other fixtures that need to be hardwired. Local codes specify where cable should run and at what height to place receptacles and switch boxes. Check codes before you begin. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Hammer Measuring tape Drill Screwdriver Materials New-work electrical boxes 1 1/4-inch wood screws Instructions Measure Height Receptacle boxes typically sit 12 inches up from the floor. Measure with a tape measure or set your hammer upright on the floor and rest the box on top. Position Box The front edge of the box must be flush with the finished wall surface, usually 1/2-inch-thick drywall. Some boxes have depth gauges. You can use a scrap of drywall to position the box. Related: How to Install an Electrical Box in a Finished Wall Attach to Stud or Joist Drive the box's nails into the stud or joist. If the box attaches with a flange, drive screws or nails to anchor the box.Project tip: If desired, use a mud ring to attach the box. Adapter rings, also called mud rings, are typically 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch thick. Choose a ring that matches the thickness of the drywall or paneling you install. Attach the box flush with the front edge of the framing member, then add the ring.