That only works if they didn't staple it to the wall or bury it in spray-foam insulation. I ended up having to run a new one but was lucky that the floor-board was under the garage. I ran a piece of cat5e as well in case there is ever an option to get a thermostat that can use it.

I have yet to see the wires that aren’t staples to the inside of walls. If it’s an option, great but IME it’s rarely an option.

High voltage wiring has to be secured, by code, but low voltage thermostat wires don’t, so it’s more likely that you can pull them.

Ok but if the roughly 15 thermostats I have replaced in 8 buildings it has always been secured.