If the 144 and 271 numbers are in feet.

144 ft x 271 ft = 39024 sq ft - a good size house.

If the cans do not need to fit in the current openings - are you intending to redo the ceiling or patch the existing holes?

New construction housing is typically installed when the ceiling is replaced.

If your electrician is intending to move the can location, remodel cans will be used. If all the cans are relocated (and more added), it might be easier to redo the entire ceiling.

The can is separate from the bulb/ lamp.

With a Cree CR6 or Sylvania RT6, the parts will be

1. The can housing
2. The lamp - CR6 (- the trim piece is attached)

With a traditional recessed can setup the parts will be

1. The can housing
2. The reflector trim piece which could cost between $10 - $20+ each.
3. The bulb (BR30, ...)

If you have local energy efficiency laws in place (eg - title 24 in CA), the can housing may have to meet the following

1. be certified airtight
2. usable in direct contact with insulation
3. not use the E26 (Edison screw in base) socket which in turn will dictate the sort of bulb/ lamp options.

Ask your electrician about this first.

You could look at various LED recessed lighting options at your local lighting stores.

Thanks David. I guess I should have been more clear in that yes, I plan on redoing our ceiling. The GC plans to patch the holes, paint and texture. Our current ones are not in a good layout for our new cabinets and island.

We are in Florida, so title 24 is N/A.

Are remodel cans cheaper/more expensive than new construction?

I should have been more specific on kitchen size 144"X271" = 271 square feet (if I'm right). That means 9,485 lumens. If I used CR6 2700K at 625L per bulb that means I need just over 15 cans?? That seems like a lot! Way more than I have now. The island will be huge and I'll have 2-3 pendants so I guess that will reduce the 15+ cans.

Attached is our current lighting... again, plan to start from scratch. (Note, window is going way but there is a huge mitered window where the table is (the table is also going away)).

Several comments

1. It may be easier to take down the existing ceiling and put up new sheet rock than to patch many holes. That should be something to discuss with your GC.

2. Another factor is that the final location of the cans depends on the layout of the ceiling joists, ductwork, plumbing and anything else that could restrict the vertical height.

3. If all the light is coming from the cans, you'd need either higher output lamps or more cans. Your electrician will gladly install all the cans you ask for given that the installation is usually priced per can (eg - ~ $100 labor charge per can for installation).

4. Another way to look at lighting is to ensure that the important task areas are well illuminated and supplement the general lighting using pendants, cove lighting, UCL. UCL does a better job of illuminating the task areas than can lights.

5. I used the 35 lumen per sq ft to get an initial estimate of the number of cans I needed. Some were eliminated to account for UCL output, other lights and practical constraints. I currently use the UCL more than the recessed lighting.

6. .Remodel cans cost less than new construction cans. However, they are clipped onto the sheet rock unlike new construction cans which are nailed into the ceiling joists and therefore better supported. If there are a significant number of cans to be installed, the labor cost will be the largest component. In addition, the strength of the sheet rock is reduced when more holes are cut.

7. Check out http://creebulb.com for more details on what is available from Cree.