I would talk to a reputable electrician and tell him what's going in the ceiling (foam insulation, etc.), and ask him if it's possible to add recessed lighting. If it is, go back to your contractor with the news, good luck!

If they cut corners there. Im afraid I wouldn't want to know where else they cut corners. But this is a modern house, there built like trash anyway. So not a big deal really. Hes trying to save himself the extra work (which should be at his expense). They pretty much have to rip it out and start over. You would need those swivel lights so you can point the bulb downward.

Thank you, Kathy. That's a very good idea. I've spoken to a friend who works as a city building inspector. He said "yes, of course it can be done.They'll have to rip out the dry wall is all.". .....

Yes it can be done. Your builder is just hoping that you blink first and he doesn't have to eat the expense of the mistake. Now is the time to get this fixed not put on a punch list after closing either. I hope your contract specified how many recessed lights in this room.

Well sometimes they can make the hole for the recess lighting and 'fish' the wires, so they don't make too much of mess, good luck!!

Now that I think about it, He could just use the insulated wire that does not need to be run through conduit. ( I forgot what its called) He can fish it through from light to light and cut holes where the lights are gonna be. The wire is a little more expensive, but still cheaper then having to rip everything apart.

@katbv, you beat me to it.

wantsideas, It's specified on the contract & scope of work. It states that my builder "will complete the work and provide materials for the project located at (my address) and as designed by (architect name). The project will consist of the construction of a new blah blah"......and then of course, all electrical, including lights are detailed in the blue printed "project plan". So yes, it's in the contract.

Tell them you expect a full refund on the lighting they didn't install. I'm sure you had to pay for this lights and the connection for them. Our builder messed up on some electrical that I missed on the walkthru but noticed after the drywall was up, asking for the difference to be applied to the sell of the house got them out there to fix everything.

You could also go speak to the sales person if this is a spec home and light a fire under their butt. If that doesn't work just say you won't close until they have this fixed, since closing on the house is most people's only leverage to get what you require.

If recessed lighting was in the contract you all signed, he should stop whining and do the job. Withhold money until he does.

Sophie, We actually had a conversation(with our builder)about controlling the temperature in that room before any insulation or drywall went in. We discussed where we all thought the h&a vents should be placed. I should say he asked our opinion of where we thought they should go......are you psychic or something? Hahahaha. OK so I do feel better about not having the lights. But, I still feel PO'D that they didn't just say "hey, ya know we forgot to put the lights in the upstairs media room". I'm NICE & would've/will gladly work out something with them. I'm still going to ask them to make the fan install look like a professional did it. Who knows what's under that little board. GAH. Even I know the disc covering the wiring should've been installed on one of the sloping sides. At an angle. I think. Thank you!

Some of these resplies seem really rude to me. To tell someone the house they are bulding is a piece of crap because there is a mix up with the lighting is unwarranted.

My two cents is quite the opposite of Sophie....if it is not done to you're liking AND if you are suspecting or begining to question the electrical, that is all the more reason too question it and nip the problem in the bud before it has the chance to go further down south.

All issues can be corrected despite what he says. You could always get an estimate or two as a rule to gage. Also, some larger lighting specialty websites have tools to hlep you figure out placement and location- Pegasus I can think of off hand and I have stumbled on others that have silimar. Many also have reps you can call in to ask questions that are very knowledgable. Rooms with very high ceilings can really be a challenge when it comes to lighting. I should know I have them..... and the builder did not place the recessed properly through most of the house which [resents an going challenge. If what he has installed is wired completely, pop some bulbs in and go in the home at night with only what he has provided lit. No additional ambient provided and then see if it is something you still have an issue with, maybe that would hlep you get a feel and allow you to better decide how important the issue is to you and your family.

I'm sorry I don't have a better solution, but If it is bothering you then I do think it is worth evaluating.

I have this exact same ceiling with downlights. It can be done and should be at their considerable expense.

The contract and design spec are there for good reasons. His failure to read is ... his failure. In short, it's not your problem it is the builder's problem. If you want them, insist (and threaten to have someone else do it at his expense if necessary).

I would not accept a credit. It is unlikely the spray foam fills the entire space anyway, and most likely that Romex could be fished without too many extra holes. We do it all the time in remodels. They might need to retexture the whole ceiling to make the patched disappear, but again - not your problem.

If you have a choice, LED is the way to go. A decent 4" these days beats the large incandescent cans of yesteryear.

I built a new home with spray foam installation. I have a lot of recessed lights in the kitchen, but I found that it is not light enough over the sink. I asked the GC about putting in another one over the sink and he told me that the insulation is so tight there is no way to get one in. He offered to put a mounted fixture or a pendant there, but he said he can't make room in the spray foam for another recessed light.

Hello Chalkhill, Thank you for the advice. All the lights in the house are LED. Since I received the answer to my inquiry into the missing media lights my mind has been swirling with how to handle this diplomatically. I really don't want to make this builder an adversary. I need him on my team whole heartedly. Without attitude. Same time, I can't let this slide. "My" builder is not a light weight in the building biz in this town. He's young but has(had)a very respectable reputation in the high end house building arena. He didn't come cheap if you know what I mean. His bid was not the highest nor lowest we received. His name was one of three recommended by our architect.....
I don't think I'm doing him any favors by letting this slide. This and the ceiling fan. It's shocking. Thank you for your wisdoms.

Here is the underside of roof decking where a recessed can was installed in that type (full vault, unvented or inadequately vented attic) of a cathedral ceiling. You can see the rot and mold.

Your architect was WRONG to spec them in the first place.

Here is a typical spec sheet for all recessed cans.

Your inspector friend is also WRONG.

You can either end up with bad heat loss and mold problems, or violate the electrical codes. Take your pick. Your builder did you a BIG favor.

LED's do not generate the heat of incandescent lights and cans should be protected from direct contact with spray foam in case they ever need to be repaired or replaced. For these reasons they are often wrapped in fiberglass batting or other protective covers prior to foam application. We've been using airtight 4" LED's with a low enough profile to allow room for insulation above them in most situations, unlike the old style which frequently penetrate the insulation envelope into unconditioned space.

Attic venting is another topic, as are the many varieties of spray foam (some good, some bad).

@keikee - if your builder is respectable, you should be able to have a conversation with him about the design spec. From time to time there are good reasons to deviate from the spec, but its always after a discussion (and sign-off from the client). You should express how important that item is to you, and listen to any good (design) reasons why the spec should not be followed. Get a second opinion from a trusted electrician if you have doubts. Within the grand scheme of the project, it does not seem like an expense so considerable that your builder would want to sacrifice your goodwill over it.

Sophie and Fred tied for the win...

dallison, For some reason, I just received the notification of your comment. Thank you! As to the "rude"remark, you should've seen it before it was edited. It usually comes with the territory here & doesn't bother me in the least. The good FAR outweighs the bad that's for sure! I can't think of any other place on earth where someone like myself can get advice &/or wisdoms from pros & peers. There's all types of opinions & experiences....Good or bad, it's a gift in my opinion.

@keikee I agree, but there are a lot of people on here that have no idea what they are doing, "pros" included. Sadly the number is less to actual knowledgeable people on here. Most on here google everything and think they know it all. I usually speak from experience on stuff I have actually done more then once. If I don't know then I don't say anything. Google is a good guide to get an idea, but its far from being a solid source. Experience wins every time.

UPDATE:The ceiling accommodated 3 recessed "cans". I believe they're 4". I'm happy to have to have the lights. Not so happy with the crooked line of drywall along one of the "corners" on the ceiling. It wasn't like that before so I can only assume it was done when pulling the wires for the lights. Now IT'S on a punch list to be fixed before we release the last draw.....