Placement of dining room light in new construction home

13 years ago

My delima is the placement of our dining room light in our new home. The model home had a box window and dining room light was centered in the room. 9 foot by 12 foot. Box out deminsions were 10 foot 6 inches by 12 foot. In the model home the dining room light was centered exactaly 4 foot 6 inches by 6 foot. We had the wall moved out to be flush with the window. 10 foot 6 inches by 12 foot. The builder placed the dining room light outlet 4 foot 6 inches from the island and 6 foot from the wall and window. The dining room light will not be centered with the dining room table. Rectangle table 4 foot by 6 foot. We were informed by the builder it was our responsibility to inform the electricians of the exact placement on the dining room outlet during construction if it differed from the model home. Is it not the responsibility of the builder to provide placement instructions to his electrical contractors either verbally or by blue prints? Should not the dining room outlet be placed in the center of the room (5 foot 3 inches)?

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Comments (4)

PRO
Beautiful Space Co
13 years ago
Hi awp5722

Sorry about your frustrating situation. The electrician was probably working from an old plan which they bid from, and the change was not relayed to them. I'd suggest asking your builder where in your contract it says that the responsibility is on you for the lighting placement. Or if there are changes, who is to direct the trades for the changes made. Its hard to believe that it would be you.

Other than that, and it may sound odd, but frequently a light fixture should NOT be placed in the center of a room. The main reason for this is that that there is often the need to walk around the table, so this invisible "pathway" has to be taken into consideration when placing the table. This will place the lighting and table off center. There are many exclusions to this rule, but without seeing your plan, its impossible to know if that applies in your situation. (It doesnt sound like it though)

~Steve
User
13 years ago
It sounds like this detail was lost in communication, maybe in the commotion of your request of moving the wall this detail was lost. Things happen. Best to ask the builder to move the light where you need it, and even better to have a designer place it for you, considering all the other issues, such as credenzas, walkways, china cabinets, etc. size of table, and seating, in the dining room. Good luck, and sorry for the stress you are going through.
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awp5722
Original Author
13 years ago
Steve and Angie, thank you for your response's. Our plan was to place the table in the center of the room with the light centered above and no additional furniture. The change of pushing the wall out and not have a box out window was in the original contract. The builder informed me yesterday he would provide me with a bid for moving the outlet for the light and asociated ceiling repair.
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
awp5722 - With our new build, which is custom, our plans do not even show lighting locations. We will go around with the electrician, measure, and specify where we would prefer ceiling and wall lights, fans, sconces, etc.

Here is a layout of our dining room and where I am placing the chandelier. As Steve and Aggie have suggested, our light will be centered width wise, and between the 2 windows on the long side. But further over towards the front of the room to accommodate a buffet and walking path from kitchen to front hall. Our dining room is irregular shaped.