What we install
Most lighting work falls into two categories: replacing what is already there, and adding light where none exists. The second needs new circuits, new boxes, and usually access above the ceiling.
- Recessed and canless LED lighting
- Ceiling fans, with the rated box they require
- Chandeliers and pendants, including heavy fixtures
- Under-cabinet and cove lighting
- Bathroom vanity and exhaust fan combinations
- Outdoor, landscape, and security lighting
- Dimmers, three-way switching, and smart switches
Recessed lighting done properly
Recessed lighting is the most requested job in this category and the one most often done badly. Spacing that is guessed rather than planned leaves scallops on the walls and dark patches in the middle of the room.
We plan the layout before cutting anything, working from ceiling height, room dimensions, and what the space is actually used for. A kitchen work surface and a living room need different answers.
What we consider before cutting
- Ceiling joist direction and spacing, which constrains placement
- Insulation contact rating where cans sit under insulation
- Beam angle and colour temperature for the room's purpose
- Switching groups, so the layout can be lit in zones
- Whether the ceiling is accessible from above or needs patching
Ask about the ceiling before you commit
A plaster ceiling with no attic access is a different job from drywall with a crawlspace above. We tell you which one you have, and whether patching and painting sit inside or outside our scope, before the quote is signed.
Ceiling fans and heavy fixtures
A ceiling fan cannot hang from a standard lighting box. It needs a box rated and braced for a fan's weight and movement. This is the single most common fault we find in fixtures installed by someone else.
The same applies to heavy chandeliers. We check what is behind the ceiling before hanging anything, and install the correct support where it is missing.
How the work runs
- 1
Walk the space
We look at what you have, what you want, and what the ceiling and circuits allow. For new lighting we sketch the layout and switching before quoting.
- 2
Fixed quote
The price covers the work and states clearly what is included, including whether any patching is ours or a painter's.
- 3
Installation
We protect floors and furniture, run circuits, cut and mount fixtures, and wire the switching. Most rooms are finished in a day.
- 4
Test and tidy
Every fixture and dimmer is tested through its full range, the site is cleaned, and we walk you through the controls.
Dimming, colour, and controls
LED dimming is where most lighting disappointment comes from. A dimmer that was fine with incandescent bulbs often makes LEDs flicker, buzz, or drop out well before the bottom of the range.
We match the dimmer to the fixture rather than assuming, and we ask what colour temperature you want before ordering. A warm 2700K living room and a neutral 3500K kitchen are both right, in the right room.
- Dimmer compatibility checked against the specific driver
- Colour temperature chosen per room, not per house
- Three-way and four-way switching planned for how you actually move
- Smart switches where you want scheduling or voice control
- Occupancy sensors for closets, basements, and garages
Permits and code
Swapping a fixture on an existing box generally does not need a permit. Adding circuits, adding boxes, or altering wiring does, and it is inspected by your town's wiring inspector.
We tell you which side of that line your job falls on before we start, and we pull the permit when it is needed rather than treating it as optional.
Related residential services
Jobs we're often asked about alongside this one.
Frequently asked questions
- How many recessed lights does a room need? +
- It depends on ceiling height, room size, and what the space is for, not on a fixed formula. A kitchen with work surfaces needs more, and placed differently, than a living room. We lay the plan out before cutting so you can see it first.
- Can you install a ceiling fan where a light fixture is now? +
- Usually, but not always directly. A fan needs a box rated and braced for its weight and movement, and a standard lighting box is not. Where access allows we install the correct box as part of the job.
- Why do my LED lights flicker when dimmed? +
- Almost always a mismatch between the dimmer and the LED driver. Older dimmers designed for incandescent bulbs often cannot control LEDs smoothly. Fitting a compatible dimmer normally fixes it.
- Do you patch and paint the ceiling afterwards? +
- We cut cleanly and keep damage minimal, and we state clearly in the quote what patching is included. Full finish work and painting are usually a painter's job, and we will say so up front rather than leaving it ambiguous.
- What colour temperature should I choose? +
- Around 2700K reads warm and suits living rooms and bedrooms. 3000K to 3500K is neutral and works well in kitchens and bathrooms. Mixing temperatures within one open space is what tends to look wrong.
- Do you install outdoor and landscape lighting? +
- Yes, including security lighting, path lighting, and fixtures on exposed elevations. Outdoor work needs weather-rated fixtures, correct boxes, and GFCI protection, all of which we handle.