View Full Version : Electrical Home Work / Recessed Lighting Specific
Jana and I where talking, and we where looking at things we can start to look at doing on the Townhome to not only increase the value, but give it some additional to stand out among other units that might be for sale around the same time.
Has anyone had an really good expericance with bringing in someone to do this kind of work work, or have they found that doing it themselves was worth the work? If you've hired for it, feel free to suggest someone. I have a bowling team mate I am going to talk to about this as well on Thursday.
We currently have the rough, textured, celing paint and it might even be in out best intrest to change that at the same time.
This would be somethign that would change the complete appearance of the kitchen, dining, and living room area.
You are going to have to rip the whole ceiling down to do it. In a house with no upstairs it isn't a big deal because you can run the wires for the lights above, but you guys have an upstairs.
Have you guys looked at some of the new track lighting? That would be a lot easier to put in.
scheides
12-02-2006, 10:48 PM
Do it yourself, it's easy! I did the lighting in my kitchen myself, it was not too bad. Consider some under-cabinet lighting as well.
Pick up a basic how-to book @ home depot, some 14-2 wire, and some remodel cans and go to town!
I've also been told to center the lights over the edge of the counter top.
scheides
12-02-2006, 10:53 PM
I haven't been to your place in a while, but if you have any white walls or ceilings, consider paint! It is the best bang for your buck to pump up that resale value!
We where also thinking of doing some cool drop down lighting over the breakfast bar. Plus we want to do something with out cupboard and light switches for a light change.
Jet, couldn't we just drill holes in locations and run wires in slotted areas around the edges of the dry wall?
Scheides, we will have to get back over to your place to see it again up close. But I remember looking at it a bit, and it looked sweet.
Jet, couldn't we just drill holes in locations and run wires in slotted areas around the edges of the dry wall?
Yes, thats what you do. You can actually get flexible drill bits that are upto a few feet long to drill through studs. It is a pain but that is how it is done. I would suggest finding an electrician for this, it takes experience to be able to do it properly.
I have never seen wire run inside the drywall and probably isn't legal. It is just drywall on the ceiling, so it really isn't a big deal to redo it, especially if you want to get rid of the popcorn ceiling anyway. One of my guys is a master electrician, so I can check with him on Monday.
Tim, you still have to rip holes in the ceiling to get up there with a drill bit!
Yes, you drill the hole where you are going to mount the lights. Then use that hole to feed in the long ass drill bit. I know a guy who is an electrician also and have seen him do it.
Like I said, it is a pain and takes a lot of work to have it done right.
92EvilTalon
12-02-2006, 11:37 PM
Drilling threw studs is not a problem. Code requires you to tie it down like a foot away from the outlet or fixture. But everything else you can run a wire all the wayaround the house. As for lights in the ceiling...its not hard to do. If you don't want to rip the ceiling down to do it just tracklight it. You can get tear drop lights for that table and spot lights for the sink too.
Do you have a light fixture up there already? If so then you can build that tracklighting off of that. You do not have to get a track...they also have wire tracks and other crazy track style lighting. Let me take a photo of my office and you can see the sweet track light I have for it. I love how it looks.
scheides
12-02-2006, 11:38 PM
Yea, you use a long-ass drill bit. I have one, they rock! My house is open above, so it was a little easier in that respect. However, my kitchen had drywall put up over the original lathing/cement (house was built in 1913), so that took the fun straight out of it!
Instead of taking down the whole ceiling as JET suggested, you can just cut holes in key spots for drilling and then patch them afterwards.
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