Recessed Lighting

I like the term "high hats" (it sounds very top-drawer), although "cans" certainly has its dirty charm.

I'd follow your architects recommendations. Recessed lighting is so aughties, we just don't know it yet.

I think it's time for a revival of those behind-the-couch uplight cans that were all the rage in the 1970s.

Ha! That and large floral-patterned wallpaper. It will be just the thing with that Urban Outfitters dark green shag carpet.

I have the abominable recessed in prewar space. Truth is, I couldn't find a way to provide sufficient light. In some rooms we have flush mounted ceiling fixture & recessed. And having just the flush mount on is insufficient. I would investigate getting line voltage LEDs.

No no, you need to get the large floral-patterned linens, but instead of dressing your bed with them, hang them stretched across the ceiling to diffuse the light from the high hats. See 'pot heads' thread for more details.

how about a strobe.

I wish they used those more at the disco these days.
It probably has something to do with whatever different drugs the kids are doing these days. Or texting.

I'm adding additional recessed lighting (already exist from new construction, just need more) to our new apartment and quote from contractor/electrician came in at what I think is high. $303 per Lab, $121 per Mat and $295 per Dimmer Switch. We're doing 12 lights and 4 switches (plus some additional A/V work), so it's small, but not a tiny job. Basic lights, nothing fancy.

This seems way overpriced to me. Primer or anyone else have some input?

To clarify, no dropping of ceiling needed, some recessed lighting is already in the ceilings and it's an early 2000's condo building with sheet-rock ceilings.

I certainly do have something to say about that. If it was one new outlet or switch you needed then $250.00 is fair but when you are doing more that should come way down. The dimmer switches? Are they completley new or are you just changing from a regular switch. Does it include patching? Not that they really need any for the recessed lighting. Are they including the dimmer switch?

I believe all but one of the dimmer switches is a replacement for what is already there and it includes the cost of the actual switches. This does NOT include patching and I'm glad you asked, because the GC is quoting me $75 per "hole" estimating 50 holes (again, I think this is ludicrous) as a prep cost before painting.

They also quoted swapping out a 2-gang switch to a 3-gang for $308. That seems high too.

So Primer, you're saying $250 for the whole light including install, plus the cost of the switch? That feels much more accurate to me and kind of what I expected...

Spec out the switches ahead of time so it'll look spiffy. A friend of mine did this whole number with six-gang dimmers, etc., but figured "a dimmer's a dimmer" so ended up with cheapo Levitons with screws showing, and the dimmer plastic's color fading differently than the switchplate plastic. Since most of the cost is labor, go with good stuff.

Thanks NWT, good input, I appreciate the heads up...

http://www.smarthome.com/2486DWH8/KeypadLinc-Dimmer-INSTEON-8-Button-Scene-Control-Keypad-with-Dimmer-White/p.aspx

Personally, I hate recessed lighting. Soft, ambient lighting fixtures are far better. High-hats just leave pinpointed spots in some areas while the rest of the space languishes in the dark. Plus, they require dropping the ceiling--who wants that?

I'd strongly recommend not doing recessed lighting, not only for resale purposes (yep, it is hella stale and outdated) but also for aesthetic reasons. Get a nice center pendant or flush-mount fixture that will throw light throughout the room.

The ceiling in question was already dropped. But really you're talking about what's needed to achieve entirely different looks.

bramstar, ceiling is 9 1/2 feet already dropped and goes up to 12 feet in the living area. The building was constructed with recessed lighting already, just not enough of it.

And recessed is usually mixed with other light sources -- pendants, flush-mounts, floor/table task lights, etc. -- anyway.

Better living through home automation, though.

>>bramstar, ceiling is 9 1/2 feet already dropped and goes up to 12 feet in the living area.<<

Can you reclaim some of that dropped space?

NYC1007,

I wish I was more clear, An above average electrician will charge about $250.00 per point. A point for example is adding an additional outlet. The electrician would charge $250.00 and then I would charge to patch it. I never counted or charged by holes though.

It also depends on the situation. I was wrapping up a project and the client asked me to install three dimmers which she did supply. I charged her nothing as it took about 1/2 to install them.

Did you pick out the dimmer switch? Most are around $30.00-$50 each.

To switch out a switch for a switch, dimmer or not should not cost a lot of money.

I'm a big fan of the "multihead" recessed lighting. Ones that are double recessed light with the rectangle cut in the ceiling drywall one see's quite often in the city retail clothing stores. Something like this from a quick google search:

http://www.junolightinggroup.com/performance_index_results.asp?ln=1&sub=54&sel1=6&sel2=44&brand=5&hl=0107&path=xtraMenu6,51_xtraMenu6,commercial_content_extra_51#138

http://www.brandlighting.com/wac_recessed_downlighting-multiple.htm

http://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs/366485592-Recessed-spot-light-grilled-spot-lighting-Free-freight--wholesalers.html