How-To
How To Mount an Electrical Box in a Tight Spot
With limited space to swing a hammer, there are still at least 3 ways to install a box securely.
Nailing an electrical box in tight quarters can be frustrating, but Cliff Popejoy, a leadman on a volunteer crew for Habitat for Humanity, has a few ideas to make the task a little easier. In this Fine Homebuilding video, he even demonstrates a way to save the box when it doesn’t go exactly as planned.
Cliff’s article Rough Electrical Wiring gives a complete primer for wiring a house. Check it out.
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Where labor is free or where someone else will be finishing out the house, nail-on boxes are fine. If the cost of finishing out a job is factored in, those adjustable-depth face-mount boxes are the way to go. They are also great for 5/8” sheetrock, other thicknesses, other wall covering materials, outlets inside of cabinets, and where there will be wainscotting or backsplash over the sheetrock.
Palm nailers can be handy in a tight space too.