Considering a large recessed lighting job

[jeromedawg]

Hey all,

We've been considering updating our lighting to go fully-recessed in our condo. I would think this would probably be worth it in the long-run (for when we go to sell) but I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to DIY versus just hire someone to knock it out faster. We have about 8 existing retrofit lights but they are ancient (very early tension spring light housings that aren't the more traditional cans). We would be looking at possibly adding at least 20 or more lights throughout the condo. I'm actually not 100% sure how many lights per room but the ceilings in most parts of the house run around 9'

I watched some videos and the retrofit cans seem 'straightforward' to update the existing lighting but I don't want to be presumptuous either. I figure if I really wanted to DIY, it might be a good idea to tackle it a room/area at a time rather than trying to go gung-ho and cut holes the ceiling in every room. Also, in our kitchen we have fluorescent light bars, so I'm not sure what most people usually do in that case: install the recessed lighting in the 'recessed' area where the light bars were?

The other concern is the permitting for electrical work and making sure everything is up to code. I really have little to no experience with any of this kind of stuff.

I figure this is a pretty big job for our condo (1300sq ft), so would like to take my time considering the possibilities.

A friend of mine had his done 5-6 years ago and it cost him around $2000 for 26 lights in his place including the dimmer switches. I actually reached out to the electrician who did the install but I never followed-through to have him come out and do a quote. I'm thinking his prices probably went up at this point.

[Linea_Norway]

If it is an expensive job, that why not do it only in the mostly used rooms? My house has these downlights in the hallways and kitchen, but not in the bedrooms and not in the living room that doesn't have a flat roof.

[Roots&Wings]

An architect friend loves these, the I can't believe it's not recessed LED lights: http://www.waclighting.com/product/3272

[Jon Bon]

An architect friend loves these, the I can't believe it's not recessed LED lights: http://www.waclighting.com/product/3272

ok that is awesome!

Crap, buy those dont even mess around with ripping out and replacing!

I am totally going to get some of these next time I replace lights....

[letired]

An architect friend loves these, the I can't believe it's not recessed LED lights: http://www.waclighting.com/product/3272

^^ +1 My friends are using a similar product in their current reno. They look like the can lights but install much easier (apparently, I haven't looked into it).

[jeromedawg]

An architect friend loves these, the I can't believe it's not recessed LED lights: http://www.waclighting.com/product/3272

^^ +1 My friends are using a similar product in their current reno. They look like the can lights but install much easier (apparently, I haven't looked into it).

An architect friend loves these, the I can't believe it's not recessed LED lights: http://www.waclighting.com/product/3272

ok that is awesome!

Crap, buy those dont even mess around with ripping out and replacing!

I am totally going to get some of these next time I replace lights....

Do you guys know more details about the install? From the install instruction picture it *seems* you still have to install a junction box for each one...unless that's simply for illustration and it's possible to run multiple wiring out of a junction box to multiple lights?

Seems like these wouldn't make for good retrofit candidates either. The problem, and reason, why I'd want to at least retrofit the existing cans is because they're held in place by tension springs... so if there's an earthquake or our neighbors are stomping, or just over time, it's possible for the springs to give and the cans to pop out of place. This is what happened the other day that prompted me to initially post about this. It would be nice just to replace the boxes/fixtures completely with something newer and much more stable. Not sure what would make sense though.

[letired]

I've done zero research, but my understanding is that they do need a junction box, but a standard box is much more shallow than a full can light. My friends are into it because that lets them install the the insulation they want instead of having to cut more holes in it to accommodate the large can fixture.

[jeromedawg]

I've done zero research, but my understanding is that they do need a junction box, but a standard box is much more shallow than a full can light. My friends are into it because that lets them install the the insulation they want instead of having to cut more holes in it to accommodate the large can fixture.

That makes sense... so you still would have to cut holes in the ceiling but they would likely be smaller and not *as much* effort with installing a junction box versus a full on fixture (since those things are bulky and awkward)

[jeromedawg]

I got a rough estimate on a per light/switch/power basis and it's expensive. Close to $3k for everything. $75 per light and $35 per switch. He won't be able to retrofit existing lights, and would have to rip out the existing cans and install new lights, so it would still cost $50 to replace each of those. Then to replace the T4 lighting, it would cost $100 to fill and frame the recessed areas and then $75 per light still. So yea, it may make the most sense just to have him install lights in the rooms that don't have any lighting and maybe to replace the T4s and other fixtures, then investigate slowly DIYing the other fixtures or something...

[kidmont]

Yes, you can do it yourself. But, did you this type of job before?
My first job was very bad. Actually, it cost me more than an electrician quote. But, I learned lots of things. And now I do all those lighting work myself.
Watch lots of youtube video and get a clear idea.
Actually, I love the light related job and always play with light. I have lots of flashlights and I experiment with them as well. Some of my favorite flashlights: Best Tactical Flashlight Reviews 2018 – Buyer’s Guide that you can take a look! But, you have to be an enthusiast to do this king lighting work.

[FINate]

RE the T4 lighting: Sorry if I'm stating the obvious here and you already know about this, but often these are fluorescent tubes which, IMO, put off terrible light. You can get LED Linear Tubes for cheap, would recommend something in the 3000K-3500K color range though but that's really a matter of personal taste.

While you're at it, replace the plastic shield/diffuser as well. Fluorescent lights emit UV which yellows the plastic over time making it dingy. Easy DIY project to order the plast sheets and cut to size.

[FallenTimber]

This is a pretty straight forward job, typically. The hardest part is fishing wires through the ceiling. It’s easiest if you space them within reach of the next one, but not completely necessary. Our house has 2 track lights... we replaced with a total of 12 recessed lights. Took an hour to measure and cut the holes, and hour to run the wires, an hour to install the recessed lights, and an hour to caulk / touch up paint. So about a half day job. It took me about half a year to work up the courage to go for it though.

[smoghat]

Can you put in track lighting? I was in architecture for 25 years and while friends often put recessed line in, it’s just bad lighting. It creates shadows under your face and makes it hard to read (because you are between the book and light). It looks great in the photos but that is it. I hadn’t wanted to mention it to one friend as he is an architect of some renown and works for famous stars but their living room light sucked. Well, he finally brought it up, he’s building a new house and said “no more recessed lighting!” Bounce the track off the walls and paintings to create a wash. It’s cheaper and better. Even if everyone says it’s old school, sometimes it’s for the better. Plus installation is was easier and chances are you can DIY without worry.

Btw if you can find old track heads on eBay, they can look really awesome. I have some square ones I love, from Halo. Make sure to buy only ones for common track, like Halo H.