For the DIY homeowner, the idea of installing their own ceiling lights might seem like a job that is right up their alley. In some circumstances it certainly is, but in others you definitely need the help of a qualified professional. In this post I will show you the difference between these two situations, as well as some tips for installing lights of your own.
You just bought your shiny new chrome ceiling light fixture, and are chomping at the bit to get it installed and bask in its warm glory. But you realize that the light that you want to replace is totally different than the one that you just bought! What gives?! I’ve been in this exact situation before, and it’s definitely not any fun!
The times to install your own ceiling lights is when the new one is mounted exactly the same as the old one. All you have to do is turn the power off, take off the old light, hook up the new one, secure it, and you’re ready to go.
Unfortunately most lights are not this way! Most of the time you will have to increase the size of the opening in the ceiling to get the new light to secure. This isn’t a tough job, but if you’ve never worked with cutting into drywall it can be extremely stressful (like trying to cut a sunroof into your car kind of stress). That’s not to say it can’t be done, but if you screw it up it’s a ton of work to get it repaired. If you aren’t sure, hire a pro to install one light and watch them like a hawk to figure out how to do it on your own.
The situation when a pro is a must is when there is no light already installed and you have to run the power to the new spot. Running wires inside of walls is a pain in the butt, and to save yourself the frustration you should hire someone who actually knows what they’re doing.
DIY home improvement is very empowering, but when mistakes are made it can be very costly. Make an honest evaluation of your skills, and don’t just “wing it.” Get help when you need it and you’re going to be much more successful in the long run.
