Recessed lighting installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What recessed lighting installation is

Recessed lighting installation cuts openings in a ceiling for low-profile lights, runs the wiring, and sets a dimmer or switch to control them. The electrician picks housings suited to the insulation, the ceiling type and the room's use. People choose recessed lights for a clean ceiling and even light, and they often add them during a remodel or when a dark room needs better light.

Signs you need it

  • A room has one overhead light and needs more even light across the ceiling
  • The ceiling is being opened for a remodel and the framing is accessible
  • You want a low-profile ceiling without a hanging fixture
  • The current recessed cans are old, flicker, or do not match the new bulbs
  • Insulation has been added to an attic that sits above existing cans, and the housings need to be checked
  • You want a dimmer or a scene control for a room that only has an on-off switch

What the pro does

  • Lay out the cans on the ceiling, checking joists, ducts, pipes and wiring before any cut
  • Cut the openings to the housing size, and set the housings in the joist bays with the correct clearance
  • Choose IC-rated or non-IC housings based on the insulation above the ceiling, and install air-sealing where needed
  • Run cable from the switch or dimmer to each can, and connect each housing with the correct terminals
  • Install a dimmer or switch rated for the total load and the bulb type, and test each can
  • Patch the ceiling, label the circuit, and clean up any loose insulation or debris

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of cans and the layout, including whether the spacing needs more than one circuit
  • Ceiling type, such as drywall, plaster or a finished tongue-and-groove ceiling
  • Insulation above the ceiling, and whether the housings need to be rated for it
  • Access to the attic or the joist bays, and any obstructions like ducts or pipes
  • Whether the dimmer, smart switch or three-way control is included
  • Patching and paint after the openings are cut

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number and spacing of cans, and the housing type for each
  • Insulation rating of each housing and how it fits the attic above
  • Whether the cable is run from an existing switch or a new one
  • Dimmer or switch type, and its rated load
  • Patching and paint responsibility for the openings

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which housing type do you recommend for the insulation above this ceiling?
  • How will you avoid cutting into ducts, pipes and joists?
  • Will you check the existing light load on this circuit before you add cans?
  • What dimmer will you install, and which bulbs does it work with?
  • How will you seal the openings so the house does not lose heated or cooled air?
  • Who patches and paints the ceiling after the cuts are made?

Red flags

  • Installs non-IC housings in insulation without addressing the fire and heat risk
  • Cuts openings before checking joists, ducts or pipes above the ceiling
  • Adds more cans to a circuit without checking the load
  • Pays no attention to the bulb and dimmer compatibility
  • Leaves the housings open to attic insulation with no sealing or cover

What you can do yourself

Choosing trim styles and the room layout, and marking spacing on the ceiling with the power off are reasonable. Cutting ceiling openings, running cable above the ceiling, and wiring the housings or dimmer need a licensed electrician. Attic work above a recessed can carries its own hazards, so do not enter insulation near live wiring without a plan.

Licenses and permits

Recessed lighting is commonly done by licensed electrical contractors, and new circuits or new cable runs often need a permit. Check with your state or local licensing agency or building department to confirm what your project requires.

Recessed lighting installation questions

What does IC rated mean on a recessed light?

IC means the housing can be in direct contact with insulation without overheating. Non-IC housings must keep a clearance from insulation. Your electrician should choose the housing based on what is in your attic.

Why do my recessed lights flicker on the dimmer?

Dimmer compatibility is the usual cause. The dimmer must match the bulb type and the total load. An electrician can check the dimmer rating and the bulbs before changing anything else.

Can I add cans to an existing light circuit?

Only if the circuit has room for the added load and the wire and breaker match it. The electrician checks the existing load before the new cans are added.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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