Light fixture replacement

Before you buy a fixture

• Check the weight. Heavy chandeliers need boxes rated for their weight.
• Check the canopy size; it should cover the box and any old paint lines.
• For bathrooms, choose fixtures rated for damp locations.
• Pick a color temperature that suits the room: warm for living areas, crisper for work spaces.
• If it goes on a dimmer, choose a dimmable fixture and an LED-rated dimmer.

How we swap a fixture

1. Turn off the breaker and test the wires.
2. Remove the old fixture and check the box mounting and wire condition.
3. Install the new mounting strap or bracket.
4. Connect the wires, including the ground where present.
5. Mount the fixture and install bulbs or LED modules.
6. Test, including any dimmer.

Old wiring we look for

In older homes, the wire insulation inside ceiling boxes can be brittle from decades of heat from incandescent bulbs. If insulation crumbles when touched, the right move is to stop; that repair is outside our scope and has to happen before a new fixture goes up. We also look for boxes with no ground, missing clamps, and splices outside the box.

Heavy fixtures and high ceilings

Chandeliers often need a second person and a ladder suited to stairwells or high ceilings. We assemble on the floor when possible, support the fixture while connecting it, and level and center it once hung. Pendants over islands and tables are set at a height that clears heads and lights the surface.

Fluorescent to LED

Kitchen and garage fluorescent fixtures can be replaced with LED fixtures on the same box. LED fixtures turn on instantly, do not hum and do not need ballasts. Disposal of old fluorescent tubes should follow local household hazardous waste guidance, since tubes contain mercury.

Scope

Our electrical fixture repairs page lists the electrical work we take on.

Ceiling fixture styles

• Flush mount: sits tight to the ceiling; good for low ceilings and hallways.
• Semi-flush: hangs a few inches down; adds style.
• Pendant: hangs on a cord or rod; good over islands and tables.
• Chandelier: multi-light; for dining rooms and entries.
• Sconce: wall-mounted; for halls, stairs and bedsides.

Paint lines and patches

A smaller new canopy may expose unpainted ceiling or holes from the old fixture. We patch screw holes and touch up when needed, or suggest a canopy or medallion that covers the old outline.

Pendant heights

Pendants over islands are usually hung so the bottom of the shade clears the line of sight across the kitchen. Over dining tables, they hang lower to light the table without glare. Adjustable cords or rods let us set the height on site.

Bulbs

Check the fixture's maximum wattage and bulb base. LED bulbs use less power and run cooler than incandescent bulbs, which helps older fixtures and wiring. For enclosed fixtures, pick LED bulbs rated for enclosed use.

What to send

A photo of the existing fixture, a photo with the canopy lowered if you can do it safely with the power off, and the new fixture's weight and model.

Hallways, stairs and closets

Hallways and stairs need even light without glare. Flush mounts work in halls, and a pair of fixtures often lights a long hall better than one. Stair lighting should light each tread without blinding someone coming down. Closets benefit from LED fixtures with enclosed lenses.

Motion-sensing fixtures can turn closet lights on automatically when the door opens. All of these install on existing boxes. Swapping several fixtures throughout a house in one visit is efficient, and matching finishes room to room gives a cohesive look.

More questions

Can you replace a fixture on a sloped ceiling? Yes, with a fixture or adapter designed for slopes.

Why does my new LED fixture flicker? Often an incompatible dimmer. Replacing it with an LED-rated dimmer usually fixes it.

Choosing finishes

Fixtures come in finishes like matte black, brushed nickel, brass and bronze. Matching or coordinating with door hardware and faucets ties a room together. In bathrooms, choose finishes rated for humidity. Glass shades should be easy to remove for cleaning.

Weight ratings

Standard ceiling boxes support typical light fixtures. Heavier fixtures need boxes marked for the weight. We check before mounting.

Kitchens and dining rooms

Kitchens need bright, even light, and dining rooms benefit from a fixture on a dimmer. Swapping a single old dome in a kitchen for a larger LED fixture can transform the room without new wiring. Over dining tables, a chandelier or linear pendant sized to the table looks balanced. We center fixtures over tables with canopy offsets when the box is close but not exact, which avoids moving the box.

Heavy chandeliers

Fixtures over about fifty pounds need a box rated for that weight. If your current box is a light-duty one, we swap it for a fan-rated brace before hanging anything big over a dining table.

Photo checklist