Lighting installation, one fixture or the whole floor.
Want one tired fixture swapped, or a whole floor of recessed lights laid out? You get the same electrician either way, and the same care. We test every dimmer before we leave, so nothing flickers or buzzes.
Single-fixture small jobs
Standard fixture replacement runs $200-$300, parts and labor included. We replace ceiling fixtures, sconces, pendant lights, and vanity bars at a fixed-fee tier. Most installs done in 30-60 minutes. Heavier fixtures or box upgrades quoted on-site if needed.
Recessed lighting layouts
Full-room or full-floor recessed lighting design and installation. Halo, DMF, WAC, Juno trims and housings. We plan the layout, sized for room dimensions and ceiling type, then install in a single day for most living-room and kitchen scopes.
Dimmers and switches
Lutron Caseta smart dimmers (most popular), Lutron RadioRA 3 (top-tier whole-home), Leviton Decora Smart, basic Lutron Maestro. We install dimmers compatible with your fixture type - incandescent, LED, low-voltage - and verify dimming behavior before we leave.
From a single swap to a whole-floor layout
Lighting runs the whole range, from a 30-minute fixture swap to a multi-room recessed design. Neither one is the lesser job here. Detailed pages are on the way; until then, give us a call and we'll walk you through what your room needs.
Recessed Lighting Installation
Recessed lighting layouts for kitchens, living rooms, basements, and offices. 6-inch, 4-inch, and slim-profile housings. Halo, DMF, WAC, Juno trims. We size for room dimensions, ceiling type (open-joist vs. drywall-only), and dimmer compatibility.
Chandelier Installation
Standard, heavy, and two-story-foyer chandelier installs. Standard fixtures: $200-$300. Heavier chandeliers may require box upgrades (rated for the fixture weight). Two-story foyer installs include ladder or lift rental - quoted on-site.
Light Fixture Replacement
Single-fixture swaps: ceiling lights, sconces, pendant lights, vanity bars. $200-$300 standard, parts and labor included. Most installs done in 30-60 minutes. If the existing box needs upgrading for a heavier fixture, we quote that before we touch anything.
Dimmer Switch Installation
Lutron Caseta is our most-installed smart dimmer (Wi-Fi optional, no hub needed for basic use). Also: Leviton Decora Smart, Lutron Maestro basic dimmers. We verify dimmer-fixture compatibility before we install (LED vs. incandescent vs. low-voltage).
Lighting projects across Northern Virginia
How a lighting job actually goes
Most lighting installs complete in one day or less. Single fixtures are 30-60 minutes. Recessed lighting layouts are 4-8 hours for a typical living room or kitchen. Whole-floor or multi-room recessed designs can take 1-2 days depending on access and ceiling type.
Free consultation
Single-fixture swaps can often be quoted by phone with a few photos. Recessed layouts and chandeliers we walk on-site. We measure room dimensions, check ceiling type, verify box compatibility.
Written proposal
Itemized - fixture cost (if we supply), box upgrade (if needed), dimmer cost, labor. For under $500 small jobs, we can quote and schedule the same day. Larger layouts: proposal within 48 hours.
Install
We bring the fixtures (or you supply - we install both ways). For recessed layouts, we mark ceiling positions before cutting. All cuts are verified against joist locations before drilling.
Verification + walkthrough
Every install gets the dimmer-compatibility check, the on/off test, and the dimming-range test. If it flickers, we fix it before we leave. Labeled circuit if it is new; verified circuit if it is existing.
Questions homeowners ask about lighting work
How much does a standard light fixture replacement cost?
For a standard ceiling fixture, sconce, pendant, or vanity bar: $200-$300, parts and labor included. This covers most homeowner-supplied fixtures up to about 25 pounds in a properly-rated existing box. Heavier fixtures or box upgrades quoted on-site if needed - typically adds $50-$100 to the install.
The variables: fixture weight (under 25lb is standard, 25-50lb may need a box check, 50+lb needs a fan-rated box), existing box condition (corroded boxes need replacement), and dimmer compatibility (if you are adding or replacing a dimmer at the same time). We quote any variables on-site before we touch anything. Two-story foyer chandeliers are a separate tier - usually $400-$700 including ladder or lift rental.
Will my new LED fixture work with my existing dimmer?
Often, but not always. LED fixtures need LED-rated dimmers - old incandescent dimmers will cause flicker, buzz, or premature LED failure. We verify dimmer-fixture compatibility before installing and swap the dimmer if needed. Lutron Caseta covers most modern LED fixtures; older Lutron Maestro models may need upgrading.
The flicker problem comes from how LED drivers respond to phase-cut dimming (the way traditional dimmers work). Forward-phase dimmers (most pre-2015 dimmers) often do not work cleanly with LEDs. Reverse-phase dimmers (most current Lutron Caseta) work with LEDs. We carry both types on the truck and test before we leave. If you are doing a major LED conversion (all incandescent bulbs swapped for LED), expect to swap dimmers at the same time.
Can you install recessed lighting in a finished ceiling without making a mess?
Yes, most of the time. Standard recessed cans install through a 6-inch (or 4-inch slim) ceiling hole - drywall dust is minimized with a HEPA vacuum at the cut. We cover floors and furniture, mark cut locations against joists before drilling, and patch any incidental damage. For ceilings with joist obstructions or attic-side issues, we may need to access from above.
The variable that affects mess: ceiling type. Drywall ceilings with attic access above are the easiest - we run wire from above. Open-joist basement ceilings are easiest of all. Finished basement ceilings or second-floor ceilings without attic access above require running wire through walls, which can mean small drywall patches in adjacent areas. We tell you up front whether your specific ceiling will require any patching beyond the recessed-can hole itself.
What about smart dimmers - are they worth it?
For most NoVA homeowners: yes, Lutron Caseta is worth the upgrade over basic dimmers. Smart-dimmer features (app control, scenes, schedules, voice control via Alexa, Google, or Apple Home) add real daily value. Caseta is hub-optional, works without Wi-Fi for basic dimming, and is the most-installed residential smart dimmer in the US.
Caseta has two advantages over basic dimmers: it is hardwired (no battery to replace, no Wi-Fi dependency for the dim function itself) and it is smart-home-friendly (works with most major ecosystems). For homeowners who do not want app control, basic Lutron Maestro dimmers are still excellent - same Lutron build quality, no smart features, lower price. We install both and recommend based on what you will actually use. Smart bulbs (color-changing bulbs, etc.) are a different category - see Smart Home Electrical for that scope.
Can you handle a two-story foyer chandelier swap?
Yes. Two-story foyer chandelier installs require either a tall ladder (for moderately high foyers) or a small lift (for true two-story heights). Pricing typically runs $400-$700 including the equipment rental and the extra labor time. We verify the existing box rating before we lift the fixture - heavier foyer chandeliers usually need a fan-rated box upgrade.
Most NoVA two-story foyers have a builder-grade chandelier that is underwhelming for the space. Upgrading to a properly-scaled chandelier (often 30-48 inches in diameter for a typical two-story foyer) is a high-impact, low-disruption project. The install itself takes 1-2 hours; the equipment setup adds time. We bring our own ladder up to 20 feet; for higher foyers we coordinate a lift rental.
What people usually add while we're already there
Lighting upgrades often pair with smart-home electrical, panel work, and kitchen or bathroom remodels.
One fixture or a whole floor - let's get it lit right
Free consultation. Standard fixtures: $200-$300. Larger layouts quoted within 48 hours. Lutron Caseta dimmers standard. NEC 410 to code.