Electrician seems unsure how to install vanity light

3 years ago

I know, I know. The obvious answer is, "Get a new electrician!"

But this guy has done lots of work for us before and came highly recommended by our architect neighbor and others, so first I want to see if this one seemingly small task is somehow more complicated than it looks. (Also, this is a guest bathroom and our immunocompromised household has no plan to have guests any time soon.)

Blue tape marks the approximate spot where I'd like the new vanity light installed. Circular hole in wall is where the old fixture used to be. I plan to install a flat wall mirror from the top of the backsplash to just above the hole in the wall (figuring covering the hole with the mirror will eliminate having to patch the drywall). I asked electrician to mount new vanity light a few inches higher and to the left so it's centered over sink. I thought this would be pretty simple.

First, he was worried he might cut into a pipe or wires if he cut into the wall. So I dug up photos of the inside of the walls so he could see the guts behind the drywall. Figured this would help?

He still seemed nervous about cutting into the wall but finally said as long as we said it was OK, then OK. But then he said he was having a hard time finding the right box (?) for the task. He said he went to a few different suppliers and no one had the right kind. I understand the supply chain problem but that was 2 weeks ago. Are these things that hard to get?

Here's the new vanity light and its components.

I bought this light fixture on Amazon partly because many reviews said how easy it was to install.

So, all that said, is it time to find a different electrician? Thanks for your input!

Featured Answer

yankee4210

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Cut in an old work round remodel box where the blue tape is, drill out the stud left of where the vanity switch leg is (or notch the stud ... where the old pancake box was), and fish the switch leg to the new light location. There seems to be plenty of length on the switch leg to get there.

I really don't see any dilemma here ... pretty much electrical 101.

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Comments (16)

HU-178658043
3 years ago
Amazon lists a number of old work boxes that could be used. Does he say what the problem is with any of those?
Mittens Cat thanked HU-178658043
mtvhike
3 years ago
Do you have a local hardware store or a Big Box store like L or HD? How far is from your blue tape to the left hand edge of the stud visible in your picture.
Mittens Cat thanked mtvhike
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wdccruise
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago

1-Gang 18 cu. in. Round Old Work Electrical Box

(Switch leg = wire hanging out of the wall.)
Mittens Cat thanked wdccruise
elltwo
3 years ago
This should work without worrying about the pipe behind the wall.

3810/4010AST spec sheet (aimedia.co)
Mittens Cat thanked elltwo
Mittens Cat
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks all! Naturally an hour after I posted this, he let me know he's found the correct box and will install next week. Fingers crossed...
kudzu9
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Just want to check: Are you sure this guy is an electrician? I'm just a DIYer and could have done this correctly without all that dithering....
wdccruise
3 years ago
@kudzu9: "I'm just a DIYer and could have done this correctly without all that dithering...."

Maybe he charges by the dither.
kudzu9
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
wdccruise-

Might be a pretty big bill... 😂
catbuilder
3 years ago
"I understand the supply chain problem but that was 2 weeks ago."

I don't think you do understand the supply chain problem. 2 weeks is nothing.
Mittens Cat thanked catbuilder
Dave
3 years ago
Wdccruise, you want the black cut in box with the metal wings. the blue one you posted isnt listed for fixture support.
Mittens Cat thanked Dave
yankee4210
3 years ago
Yes, what Dave said ^^^^. I did not specify to make sure the box is listed to support the fixture. I'm in the trade, and to me that's just a given ... sorry!
Mittens Cat thanked yankee4210
Mittens Cat
Original Author
3 years ago
@catbuilder, lol, senior moment on my part! We've waited 6-8 months for so many items in the past year, so I do understand it for the most part. Just forgot that even something as simple as this might be stuck in the supply chain jam!
Mittens Cat
Original Author
3 years ago
@mtvhike, we're 4-6 miles from HD and Lowe's and 2 miles from a well stocked hardware store, so...yeah. He's returning Tuesday for the install so hopefully it'll get done then.

Thanks to everyone who's chimed in! He did a lot of work for us a month ago and his price seemed very fair, so I'm not bashing the guy. Just looking for a little education. Thanks.
HU-733581573
3 years ago
In Canada ,for that situation it's simple. Use what we call 2104 LRB rework box with the ears and 820 D brackets and that's all you need as long as the fixture doesn't weigh 50 pounds or something crazy!
Mittens Cat thanked HU-733581573
Mittens Cat
Original Author
3 years ago
The vanity light was successfully installed a couple weeks ago. Case closed! :)