Installation
Lighting installation
Electricians install recessed lights, replace fixtures, add switches and dimmers, and run outdoor and landscape lighting. Most jobs are a day or less; adding new lights where none existed means fishing new wire and sometimes a new circuit.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Licensed, independent electricians
- 47 states + DC
About lighting installation
LED recessed lights (canless wafers) have made adding light to a dark room much less invasive than it used to be. The electrician lays out spacing, cuts small openings and fishes cable between them, usually from the attic or through existing switch boxes.
Heavy fixtures such as chandeliers need a box rated for the weight. Outdoor lights need weather-rated fixtures and GFCI protection where required.
- Lighting Installation at a glance
- Installation
- Who does the work
- An independent licensed electrician
- Urgent calls
- Usually scheduled
- Typical first step
- Layout
Signs you need this
- Dark rooms with a single ceiling light
- Old fixtures that flicker or buzz
- Adding lighting to a kitchen, bath or patio
- Wanting dimmers or smart controls
What the electrician does
- 1
Layout
Fixture spacing, switch locations and dimmer compatibility are planned.
- 2
Install
Wire is fished, boxes or wafers installed and fixtures mounted.
- 3
Test
Switching, dimming and GFCI protection are tested.
What affects the cost
Electricians set their own prices. These are the factors that move a quote up or down, so you can compare like for like.
- Number of fixtures
- Attic access
- Ceiling height and type
- Dimmers or smart controls
- Fixture cost if supplied by the electrician
What you can do safely, and when to stop
Safe to do
- ✓ Choose LED fixtures and compatible dimmers before the visit
Stop and call
- ✕ Do not hang a heavy fixture on a standard plastic box
Key terms
- IC-rated
- Insulation-contact rated: safe to install in contact with ceiling insulation.
- Canless LED
- A thin recessed fixture with an integrated driver that needs no separate housing above the ceiling.
- Color temperature
- The warmth or coolness of light, measured in kelvins; around 2700K to 3000K is typical for living spaces.
Lighting Installation FAQ
Can recessed lights go in a ceiling with no attic above?
Often yes. Canless LED wafers need very little depth, and cable can be fished between joists in many ceilings.
Can recessed lights be installed in an existing ceiling?
Yes. Remodel or canless LED fixtures are installed through holes cut in the finished ceiling, with wiring fished from an attic or between joists.
What is an IC-rated light?
A fixture rated for direct contact with insulation. Recessed lights in insulated ceilings must be IC-rated to avoid overheating.
Why do my LED lights flicker on a dimmer?
Many older dimmers were designed for incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs need a compatible dimmer and dimmable bulbs; mixing them causes flicker or buzzing.
Can a heavy chandelier hang from any ceiling box?
No. Heavier fixtures need a box rated for the weight, and fixtures over 50 pounds must be independently supported.
How many recessed lights does a room need?
It depends on ceiling height, beam angle and the room's use; a lighting plan usually spaces fixtures so their light overlaps evenly rather than following a fixed count.
Do outdoor lights need special fixtures?
Yes. Outdoor fixtures must be rated for damp or wet locations, and outdoor outlets need GFCI protection and weatherproof covers.
Do I need a permit to add lighting?
Replacing a fixture on an existing box often does not. Adding new circuits or new recessed lighting usually does.
Where electricians offer this
Available through our network in 47 states and DC. Metro guides:
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Outlet & Switch Repair
Replace any outlet that is loose, cracked, scorched or warm, and any switch that crackles or feels hot.
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Dedicated Circuits
A dedicated circuit serves one appliance or one heavy-use area so it does not share capacity with anything else.
Learn more →Need help with lighting installation?
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