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Cost guide

Recessed Lighting Installation Cost

Installing can lights in a ceiling — new construction housings or retrofit kits in an existing ceiling.

Typical range
$150–$800
Most people pay
$350
Service life
15–25 years for LED integrated fixtures; replaceable bulb housings last longer

National cost range

National range, per fixture installed

$150 – $800

Most homeowners pay around $350. The spread is real, not hedging — the drivers below determine which end of it you land on.

Low end
$150
Simple access, like-for-like
Typical
$350
What most jobs come in at
High end
$800
Upgrades, difficult access, code work

What you are actually paying for

Find the row that matches your situation. Quotes that differ wildly from each other usually differ in scope, not in price.

ScenarioTypical cost
Single retrofit can light, existing circuitOne hole, one fixture, tied into existing lighting circuit.$150–$300
Six retrofit cans, new switch legAbout $150 to $300 per fixture including wiring.$900–$1,800
Twelve cans in a kitchen, dimmer includedThe most common whole-room recessed lighting job.$1,800–$3,600
New construction, open ceilingPer fixture during construction — cheapest timing.$100–$200
Sloped ceiling adjustable cansAdjustable trim and specialized housings add cost per unit.$200–$400

What moves the price

In descending order of impact. These are also the questions worth asking a contractor whose quote sits outside the range above.

  1. New construction versus retrofit

    New construction housings installed before drywall are cheapest per unit. Retrofit kits that clip into an existing ceiling from below cost more in labor per fixture.

  2. Ceiling material

    Drywall is straightforward. Plaster, tongue-and-groove, and fire-rated ceilings require different cutting tools and often more patching.

  3. IC versus non-IC rating

    Fixtures in contact with insulation must be IC-rated. Attic installations above a ceiling with blown insulation require IC housings or insulation clearance.

  4. Dimming and switch wiring

    LED recessed lights on a compatible dimmer require a dimmer switch upgrade ($50 to $150). Smart switches add more.

  5. Number of fixtures

    Per-fixture cost drops significantly above six fixtures because wire is run in series and mobilization is amortized.

Can you do it yourself?

Limited DIY scope

Retrofit LED can lights are a manageable DIY project for an experienced homeowner comfortable cutting drywall and working on a circuit with power off. New wiring, dimmer upgrades, and any work involving the panel require more skill and a permit.

Permits and inspection

New lighting circuits require an electrical permit. Simple retrofit into an existing circuit may not in some jurisdictions — check locally.
Run the DIY vs. pro decisionCheck a quote you already have

When this cannot wait

  • Existing recessed fixture with scorch marks or buzzing
  • Non-IC fixture in contact with attic insulation — fire hazard

Common questions

How much does it cost to install recessed lighting per light?
Professional installation runs $150 to $350 per fixture for retrofit work in an existing ceiling. Six-fixture kitchen jobs typically quote $1,200 to $2,400 total. New construction installs during building run $100 to $200 per fixture.
How much does it cost to put recessed lights in a kitchen?
A typical kitchen with 8 to 12 recessed cans costs $1,500 to $3,500 installed, including a dimmer switch. IC-rated housings, sloped ceilings, or plaster add to the total.
Can I install recessed lighting myself?
Retrofit LED can lights designed for DIY installation are widely available. You need to identify a suitable circuit, cut the ceiling holes, and connect wiring with power off. New circuits and dimmer upgrades should involve an electrician.
How many recessed lights do I need in a room?
A common layout is one 6-inch can per 25 to 40 square feet of ceiling, or spaced 4 to 6 feet apart. A 12×14 kitchen typically gets 6 to 8 cans. Task areas like countertops benefit from directed light rather than even spacing alone.
Kitchen too dark — how much for 6 recessed lights?
Six retrofit LED cans in an existing ceiling run $900 to $2,100 ($150 to $350 per fixture). Adding a dimmer switch runs $50 to $150. If a new circuit is needed from the panel, add $200 to $500. Total for 6 cans with dimmer: $1,000 to $2,400.
Recessed light flickering and buzzing — fix or replace cost?
Flickering is usually a failing LED driver or incompatible dimmer. Replacing a retrofit unit runs $150 to $350 per fixture. A dimmer rated for LED runs $50 to $150 installed. If the housing is damaged or non-IC rated against insulation, full replacement runs $150 to $350 per can.
Old recessed lights getting hot to the touch — replace with LED cost?
Hot halogen cans are a fire risk against insulation. Retrofit LED kits run $150 to $350 per fixture installed. IC-rated housings for insulated ceilings add $20 to $50 per unit. Six fixtures: $900 to $2,100. LED retrofits cut heat output by 80% and energy use by 75%.
Want pot lights in a basement with a drop ceiling — what does it cost?
New construction cans in a drop ceiling run $100 to $200 per fixture — easier access lowers labor. Six basement cans: $600 to $1,200. A new circuit from the panel adds $200 to $500. Budget $800 to $1,700 total for a typical basement room.
Recessed light fell out of the ceiling — what does repair cost?
Re-securing a loose retrofit unit runs $100 to $200. Replacing a failed spring clip housing runs $150 to $350. If the ceiling was damaged, drywall patch and paint add $150 to $400. Multiple loose fixtures suggest improper install — budget $150 to $350 each for proper re-mounting.
How much does it cost to add recessed lights without attic access?
Retrofit LED cans designed for no-attic-access install run $150 to $350 per fixture — cut from below, no attic entry needed. Six fixtures: $900 to $2,100. Plaster ceilings add $50 to $100 per fixture for careful cutting and patching.

Decide what to do next

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