Before you get started, plan the job carefully, as running cable through walls covered with drywall or plaster can be difficult. Remodel boxes (also called cut-in or old-work boxes) clamp to the drywall or plaster rather than attach to a framing member, making the work easier. However, they are only as strong as the wall surface to which they are clamped. If the drywall or plaster is damaged, cut a larger hole and install a box that attaches directly to a stud or joist. Select boxes that meet local codes. For a ceiling fan or a heavy light fixture, buy a fixture box that attaches to a fan-rated brace. Before cutting a hole, use a stud finder to make sure no joist or stud is in the way. Make several passes with a sharp knife. Drill starter holes at each corner and then cut with a jigsaw. Press the saw firmly against the wall to minimize lath vibration. Alternatively use a rotary cutter equipped with a plaster-cutting bit. Practice first because it is hard to control.
Remodel-Box Options
The round plastic ceiling box (left) has “wings” that rotate out and behind the wall surface. One metal box (center) has a flange that springs outward when the box is inserted; tightening a screw brings the flange forward. A variation on this has side clamps that move out and toward the front as screws are tightened. Yet another type (right) uses separate mounting brackets that slide in after the box is inserted and bend over the sides of the box to lock it in place.
