How Much Does It Cost To Install A Ceiling Light Fixture?

Light fixture installation cost factors

As with any home renovation or building project, several factors can influence the overall cost of installing a ceiling fixture, such as the cost per square foot, the fixture type, the labor charges, and possibly the cost of removing an existing light fixture.

Cost per square foot

This factor may seem odd since your lighting needs can’t be determined the same way you might calculate wallpaper or fencing materials. In this case, you need to decide how well-lit you want the space to be and whether you want standard ceiling or recessed lighting. A living room, for example, would be fine with ambient lighting, but a home office space would require something brighter.

Fixture type

The type of light fixture you choose is probably the biggest cost factor associated with installing a ceiling fixture, even considering the cost of labor. Pendant lights, for example, don’t typically cost as much as recessed lights since the latter requires additional steps in the installation process.  

Labor

Unless you happen to have experience with electrical wiring, it’s a good idea to hire an electrician to install your fixtures, no matter what type you use. It can take up to two hours to install even one fixture, so hiring a professional can save you time and prevent accidents.

Fixture removal

If you have an existing light fixture you want to replace or simply remove, you’ll need to hire an electrician. Your electrician will remove the fixture itself and any wiring associated with it before replacing it with the new lighting you’ve chosen. A basic removal may take as little as half an hour, but a more complicated project may take up to three hours to complete, which will significantly affect the total cost of your lighting installation project.

Light fixture costs by type

One of the biggest factors affecting the overall ceiling light installation cost is the type of light you choose. There are six basic types of ceiling fixtures to pick from:

Ceiling-mounted

The term “ceiling mounted” is the most common fixture type and refers to standard ceiling lights installed directly onto the surface of the ceiling. They’re brighter than most other types of lighting, so small to medium-sized spaces will only need one ceiling-mounted fixture. The average cost to install a ceiling-mounted light fixture ranges from $90 to $230, without considering the cost of the fixture itself.

Pendant

As the name suggests, pendant lights hang from the ceiling. These are typically used as mood lighting since they’re generally not as bright as ceiling-mounted fixtures. Pendant lights come in many styles, from ornate traditional to sleek modern. Expect to pay between $95 and $250 to install pendant lighting fixtures in addition to the cost of the fixture.

Chandelier

Chandeliers hang from the ceiling like pendant lights but tend to be more elaborate. Chandeliers can be made from a variety of different materials, such as stainless steel, plastic, Swarovski crystal, and 24kt gold finish, with different costs to match.

Replacing an existing chandelier is less expensive than installing one since chandeliers often need additional reinforcements to support their weight. The average cost of replacing a chandelier ranges from $100 to $200, while the cost of installing this type of fixture in a new location ranges from $300 to $2,000, in addition to the cost of the fixture itself.

Recessed

Recessed lights are installed so that their outer edges sit flush with the surface of the ceiling. They’re not as bright as ceiling-mounted lights. More than one of this type of fixture is needed in an installation since the individual light they put off isn’t enough to illuminate even a small room. Recessed lighting requires extra installation steps, so the cost to install ceiling lights of this type is higher at an average of $125 to $230.

Track

Track lighting involves having more than one light source on a track, often with the option to direct each light as you wish. This fixture works well in kitchens or other rooms requiring bright lighting. If there’s already wiring for an overhead fixture, expect to pay between $100 and $250 in installation charges. If you don’t have the existing wiring in place, then expect to pay an additional $100 to $200 above the basic installation cost and the price of the fixture.

Fluorescent

Fluorescent lights are popular for workshops, offices, and other work-oriented spaces due to the fact that they’re bright and don’t use much energy. If you have the wiring in place, depending on the configuration of your wiring, then expect to pay an average of $85 to $217 to have this type of fixture installed.

Replacing ceiling light fixture

Replacing a ceiling light fixture when the wiring is already in place is a straightforward project. Unless your chosen fixture requires additional reinforcements to be added to the ceiling, it’s generally something you can do yourself. Expect the project to take around 30 minutes to complete. There are four quick steps involved:

• Shut the power off at the breaker: By shutting off the electricity, you take away the risk of electrocution from accidentally touching a live wire. If you have a voltage detector, use it on the wires you’ll be working with to ensure they aren’t “hot” before you handle them.
• Screw in the plate: Some light fixtures come with a plate that can be screwed onto the junction box on the wiring in your ceiling. If possible, secure the plate before proceeding with the wiring, especially if your chosen fixture is heavy.
• Strip and connect the wires: Using a wire stripper, cut about ¾ inches off the outer sheath on both the junction box wires and the fixture wires. A standard junction box will have three wires: one white, one black or red, and one green or copper. After stripping the wires, join the three wires from the junction box to the fixture wires of the same color using plastic wire connectors.
• Add light bulbs: Select the correct light bulb and wattage according to what your fixture requires. Screw the light bulb in, turn the breaker back on, and ensure your light fixture is working properly.

Installing a light fixture in a spot where there isn’t existing wiring is more difficult. There are two ways you can address this problem if you’re absolutely set on putting your fixture in that location. The first way is to purchase a fixture that can connect to an outlet using a cord or one that uses batteries.

The second way involves hiring an electrician to run wiring to that location from your electrical box, which may entail opening a small portion of your wall.

DIY or hire a pro

If the wiring for a ceiling light fixture is already in place, then you don’t necessarily need to hire an electrician. With a few tools and the ability to carefully follow instructions, this type of light fixture installation can be a DIY project.

If you don’t have the wiring in place and you’re set on installing a fixture in a spot directly connected to your home’s electrical system, you’ll need to hire a professional electrician. This way, you can be assured they know exactly what they’re doing, and they’ll have insurance to cover their workmanship in the event of a problem. In the case of installing a light fixture in a new spot, consider hiring an electrician to run the wiring and then save a bit of money by installing the light yourself afterward.