Could you buy your own lights and have the builder install them? I think you definitely want pendants there vs can lights.

I picked these fixtures, but you have to work with lighting provider to check on wire lengths and chain lengths to be sure. I don’t trust any dimensional info posted on the internet. Verify and double verify.

I would get something that is on cord, there is no solution that doesnt cost money. Those pendants even if adapted ( yes they can be), would not give any good lighting. The placement being so close together is another issue. Cord pendants, would be very easy to rewire. or look for ones that have 10 ft of cord and a foot of fixture height. The other option is to hang them at the height they are now but go bigger ( it will get them a little lower). The issue there is they are fairly close together so too big and they would look odd.

Hard to tell from the photo, but are those even the special recessed light that need to be installed in a sloped ceiling. The whole housing should be slanted so the light actually shines down to the floor.

I hope they gave you under cabinet lighting too.

@chispa I dont even think they are recessed! they look bulbus like wafer lights only the cheaper kind.

@RL Relocation LLC, yikes, that is even worse. In other words, none of the light is shining where the OP will need it.

You have purchased a home that is in your budget and congratulations! You can make changes later so don’t loose heart. Lots of ways to accomplish a great looking kitchen and have function and good lighting. Just takes a bit of time. Talk to your builder. Don’t forget fresh donuts!!

You can rewire them with longer cords when you move in. Easy to do once you figure out how to get up there. If you like 'em. I kinda like them but they are a tad too high. :)

You simply need pendants with enough chain. At 18 feet? That means a maximum of 12 feet of chain /wire

MINUS the overall height of the fixture itself, inclusive of the mounting attachment. Get your own lights, and the builders electrician........because he "offered to take those down and replace with led"

He ISN'T going to buy you the new pendants.

Go online Circa Lighting....... you will have the specs with a click of a mouse or tap of a finger, Also CUSTOMIZED options for a great many. Why? The issue? Almost all indoor lights will be a maximum of six feet of chain and wire.......or cord, or stem.

IMO pot lights in an 18' ceiling are pretty useles for actul ambient light I agree go get the pendants with the right length of electrical and chain and have them installed either by the builder or after you move in . BTW if you have ceiling fan anywhere in the adjacent space it will make the pendants swing . If it was my house I would be looking at cable lighting and have it installed after move in then at least you could have human height lighting

https://www.currentlighting.com/indoor-lighting/liteframe-20-lfr-4rd/9224057

These recessed lights have the lumens plus beam focus to light your island. You need other cans for ambient lighting.

If your builder won't install new lights of your choice, see if you can get a credit for the (ridiculous) lights he installed.

You might consider looking at your own lighting options that would have wire long enough to work for your kitchen. Perhaps look at some options online to see what might work for you.

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Our lights are probably too high as well, but the rods weren’t long enough to lower, I figured we would do it another time. Since then and after finding the right bulbs I’ve grown used to them and actually like the height (no bonked heads) and they provide plenty light.