Problems wiring a switch leg

[toller]

I have an outlet I want to control with a wall switch. Getting the switch in will be relatively easy, but I can't figure out how to get the cable to the outlet.

The outlet is on on outside wall and the crawlspace under it is only about a foot high. I don't know much about house construction, but I don't think it would be particulary easy to drill a new hole through the footer; since access from both above and below is minimal. I thought about cutting the wire before it goes up through the footer, but there is almost no slack, so I would have to use two junction boxes (one on each end, with new piece of cable between them.) Is that an acceptable practice? It sure would be ugly. Or, can I just use a large junction box, and make both connections in it? (As well as to the switch leg, obviously.)

I could probably run the switch leg under the baseboard molding; though it would probably require cutting away drywall and/or routing a rabbet in the baseboard. Is that acceptable?

Finally I could buy one of those remote switch units, but that seems pretty wimpy.

Any suggestions? (I mean other than hiring an electrician.)

[Chris Lewis]

According to toller :

Last question first: that's acceptable PROVIDED that you protect the wire under the baseboard (because you can't meet the 1 1/4" setback reqt.) Eg: a steel plate or metal wiremold channel. But this is a hack, and it's better to get the cable down thru the floor plate without having to do this.

I'm not sure I understand the meat of the question tho. If you have enough slack to splice in the leg, you can do it with one J box. If not, you need to use two with an extra bit of wire between them. There really is no other way (unless you can completely replace one end of the line).

You don't necessarily have to have the j box positioned right under the switch. You could put the J-boxes in a more convenient place. Just makes the switch leg longer.

[Curmudgeon]

Behind the baseboard's the easiest way; cut away drywall up 1 1/2 in. from floor between switch and outlet...1/4 to 1/2" less than height of baseboard. That would even allow you to drill center holes in studs to snake romex thru.

[toller]

If I need wiremold, then it is a poor solution. Thanks.

Not enough slack, so I guess it is two boxes.