Recessed lights thru builder
- Thread starter lovingit
- Start date
qwerty
Well-known member
lovingit said:
Electricians in general are pricy. Most of their fee goes to labor. Most of their parts are cheap but when you need service you can?t get an electician out for less than 150. A lot of them have that as a minimum.
Keep in mind that while these guys were charging 85 most were in the 120 range. Because of our setup I just paid the 20-25 per light
I paid about $25/each for the LED retrofits when I installed them myself a few years back so it seems that prices have definitely come down quite a bit.
If you are installing new lighting, then the cost of $85 per light makes a little more sense because they are cutting the hole and wiring it up too.
If you are installing new lighting, then the cost of $85 per light makes a little more sense because they are cutting the hole and wiring it up too.
New cans are definitely more expensive than retrofits, the retrofits I bought for our current place were roughly $13 each IIRC year and a half ago off Amazon. I pinged the seller on Amazon and asked for bulk discount and they gave me 10% off. We had 50+ cans...wife is like not paying $5k+ for new cans. I did most of them myself, had a handyman do the CFLs, some of the incredibly high ones I asked IML to come out.
Not all retrofits are equal, buy a couple different styles that you like and try them out. The light spreads differently depending on the retrofit. I like 3500K everywhere and 4000k for bathrooms, some people like 2800K, others like 4000k. So make sure you like the color of the lighting too before you buy a bunch.
Not all retrofits are equal, buy a couple different styles that you like and try them out. The light spreads differently depending on the retrofit. I like 3500K everywhere and 4000k for bathrooms, some people like 2800K, others like 4000k. So make sure you like the color of the lighting too before you buy a bunch.
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
Hmm. My cans already had bulbs so changing them to LED bulbs was cheap and easy.
Don't care about gaps. Can't see them when the lights are on.
Don't care about gaps. Can't see them when the lights are on.
irvinehomeowner
Well-known member
To answer the OP's question, there is a rule on TalkIrvine for new home options:
"Do the cans and the fans"
As good as after market recessed lighting services are... it's always best to have this done while under construction.
@PSbuyer: I'm pretty sure that green regulations are making builders use LED only for recessed but you never know.
"Do the cans and the fans"
As good as after market recessed lighting services are... it's always best to have this done while under construction.
@PSbuyer: I'm pretty sure that green regulations are making builders use LED only for recessed but you never know.
Can someone please explain how getting a jbox thru the builder allows the electrician after close of escrow to come in and minimize the need to drill holes in the ceiling and walls for downstairs bedrooms without attic access? Don?t they still need to drill four holes for the recessed lights and then connect to the jbox? Isn?t there still a chance they would hit joists?
irvineboy said:
Possibly, but they don't need to run electrical from the ceiling to your wall switch which is where your holes will come from that need patching/paint, matching paint and finishes suck depending on paint color and texturing.
The light companies definitely have long drills to drill through any wood they encounter in the ceiling to run the wiring, not sure about electricians, some may have the tools, others may not. Ask before you have them do the install to know exactly how they are going to run wires and where the holes may be, if any. IML aka Recessed Lighting didn't need to make any holes upstairs or downstairs.
qwerty said:
Thanks for posting this! I've used them a couple times lately (install EV outlet, ceiling fan wiring, extra outlets) and I like that the owner?, Steve, provides estimates via text/email. I've sent pictures and received responses very quickly. This is their website:https://nextlevelelectric.com/
It seems they have multiple crews (vans w/logos) and if they do have to make larger holes, they will send a separate drywall contractor to patch/texture.