Recessed light help needed

Submitted by ramza_beoulve3 t3_zufvc6 in DIY

I hired an electrician to add recessed lights to my second floor master bedroom with attic access. We agreed on a price of $65 per light (I provide materials, so for just labor) X 6 lights.

He comes gets set up then climbs into attic. he said because it's blown insulation it would be a lot more work and now the price is $140 per light. I obviously asked him to gtfo my house (very politely lol).

At $65 a light I thought it was a steal so I decided to hire out. At over $100 per I'd rather do it myself.

I've done wiring and install on the first floor but wanted to know how much different/difficult it is dealing with the blown insulation.

I can't find many YouTube video guides- so any advice/help/tips/videos would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!!

More details- I'll be repurposing a switch that's just connected to one outlet (making the outlet hot all the time).

Plan is to map out the location if the lights, drill a small hole, push through a guide rod/wire with bright tape in each of the holes to easily find in the attic.

Biggest hurdle I see is getting a new wire from the switch to the attic through the frame?

Outside of that, just basic daisy chain to the lights.

The lights are canless leds IC rated. So once attic work is done- cut out the holes for the lights deal with the little bit of falling insulation (i can't imagine a ton falls out). And done.

Am I missing things? Am I way over simplifying steps? I know there will be issues, and it will take much longer than I anticipate, but doesn't everything? Lol

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ezbake_fpv t1_j1ivv7o wrote

A ton of blown in insulation can, and will fall out during the process, unless you clear it well away from each hole. Add to that the hazards of working in a hazardous space, and it really isnt worth doing for $65.

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ramza_beoulve3 OP t1_j1iw8yr wrote

Hey I get it. Others quoted much higher so I jumped at 65 a light. He didnt ask if it was blown or not. I assumed someone doing it professionally would know to ask or just know what to expect. It's not as if I misled him.

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ezbake_fpv t1_j1iy2cg wrote

No, you didn't mislead him, and rightfully, he should have mentioned that little detail, but he chose not to. The reason, I believe, because it works most of the time. People that do this, know ahead of time they will use a super low priced service to get through the door, and then drop an upcharge after getting all set up, and beginning the work. 95% of the time, people with just figure it's their dumb luck that the project will cost a lot more than anticipated, and pay the upcharge. You did the correct thing by sending him on his way, IMO.

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Fmlyhmalm t1_j1iynn9 wrote

He probably didn’t realize the cans were IC rated, thinking he would need to create a 1’-5 sides box out of 1/4” mesh to keep the insulation away from the cans was thing it would take a lot of extra time! please for the love of what ever you believe in, make sure you read the instructions for you cans that they can be installed with insulation surrounding them as most can say its a no go for warranty purposes as it traps heat!

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ezbake_fpv t1_j1k8tbo wrote

Not so much with the pancake LED. Most of those are IC rated.

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ramza_beoulve3 OP t1_j1iz2vv wrote

Isn't that what IC means?

The instructions I got were lackluster.

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Fmlyhmalm t1_j1izljf wrote

Yes but alway consult the instructions there are ways to safely cover downlights with insulation – in the form of IC rated lights. An IC rating indicates that the light is suitable to come into contact with your building insulation. In other words, an IC rated light can be adjoined and directly covered with insulation. Though, you should still always consult your manufacturer’s instructions to avoid any potential fire hazards.

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KingJeff973 t1_j1kbsib wrote

I say do it yourself. Especially since you have attic access.

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KingJeff973 t1_j1kbx1h wrote

I did my own apartment. With no attic access and without any experience. As long as their is an existing light to tie into, it’s much easier. If you have to run to a switch, that can be difficult. However.. since you have the attic access, running to the switch may not be as hard for you.

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ramza_beoulve3 OP t1_j1loiz8 wrote

Yeah I've done lighting before. It's more of how to deal with insulation and how to run a new wire through the wall frame

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1bighack t1_j1nqvsj wrote

Depending on how far the lights are apart, you might get lucky and be able to use a fish tape to run the wire from fixture to fixture using the holes drilled for access

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