Update ceiling lights, fan, independent electrician or big box store?

6 years ago

We will be buying three new hanging ceiling lights and one ceiling fan. Ours are 20+ years old, work fine but we want to update. So the electrician will need to take the old ones down and install the new ones; all will hang from 10-14 feet ceilings. All of the wiring is already there. This is for our breakfast area, dining room and foyer with the fan in our family room.

We will probably buy them from one of the big box stores. They say they can also include installation.

Is it better to have them do it or just get our electrician?

The reason I'm thinking having the big box install is that if there is something wrong with the unit or the installation, there won't be as much "finger pointing" whether the electrician did it incorrect or if the unit was bad. Any idea which would cost less in labor?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

shirlpp
6 years ago
The finger pointing would be if you hired an electrician that was not licensed.
mike_kaiser_gw
6 years ago
Frankly replacing lights and a fan isn’t highly technical work but in most areas still require a licensed electrician so I would probably shop by price.

On the off chance you would have a defective fixture, it’s reasonable that the installer would want to be paid for two visits. I have no idea how that works with a big box store, although I might guess that they would pick up the tab for the second visit. If an independent electrician supplied the fixtures he would probably eat the second visit but it’s always a good idea to ask. If you supply the fixture, that risk is probably on you.

As an aside, I would avoid the temptation of buy fixtures with integrated LEDs if at all possible, unless they offer some design advantage. I’ve seen far to many integral LED fixtures fail and the only option is to replace the entire fixture. You can alway put an easily replaceable LED bulb in a “regular” fixture.
Related Professionals
Las Vegas Interior Designers & Decorators · Odessa Interior Designers & Decorators · Branson Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Austin Furniture & Accessories · Laconia Furniture & Accessories · Selma Home Remodeling · Southaven General Contractors · Clearlake General Contractors · Santa Barbara Bathroom Remodelers · Lawrence Interior Designers & Decorators · Mount Vernon Furniture & Accessories · Elmira Furniture & Accessories · Manhattan Furniture & Accessories · Santa Fe Furniture & Accessories · Edison Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
kudzu9
6 years ago
The best thing would be to buy based on price (which will likely be at a big box store), and install them yourself or get a knowledgeable friend to help. I've never had a problem returning the occasional defective product to a big box store.

Switching out light fixtures is one of the most basic DIY projects you can do and it's pretty easy to quickly read up on how to do it, or get a friend to help. I'm no electrician, but I taught myself enough over the years to know what I'm doing, and I've helped quite a few incompetent friends do this.

Turn off the breaker(s) supplying the power, take down the old fixture, and mark the wires; then hook the wires up the same way for the new fixture, and attach it to the box.

It always pains me to see someone buy fixtures and then spend more on an electrician to install them than the fixtures cost. Resolve to teach yourself this basic skill, and have an experienced friend available who can help if you are unsure.
debbie1000
Original Author
6 years ago
We will be getting a licensed electrician whether on our own or through the company where we are buying the items. My husband has replaced many ceiling fans/lights (normal ceiling height) and these are the last to be replaced. But these are way too high and out of our comfort zone to climb a giant ladder while installing one. At one point our ceiling is at least 14 feet (maybe even 18 feet) high.