Remodel lighting — designed once, installed once, lasts decades.
A remodel is the right time to do lighting properly — walls open, ceiling accessible, full design freedom. Get this right at framing stage and you're set for 20 years. Wrong scope here means living with bad lighting until the next remodel.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Remodel lighting works best when designed at the framing stage with three roles coordinated: lighting designer (overall plan, fixture selection), electrician (circuit design, installation), and GC (schedule coordination). For Marin remodels under $200K total, the lighting designer role often blends into electrician + interior designer. Above that, dedicated lighting designer adds meaningful value.
01The lighting decision timeline.
Design phase (months before construction)
Lighting plan developed with designer or electrician. Fixture types, locations, switching, and control system decisions. Output: lighting plan drawings + fixture schedule.
Pre-rough-in (weeks before)
Final review of lighting plan with GC and electrician. Any last fixture changes locked in. Permits and electrical scope finalized.
Rough-in (during framing)
Conduit, boxes, and home runs installed before drywall. Cleanest time for any electrical work — wiring is essentially free at this stage compared to retrofit cost.
Trim (final stage)
Fixtures installed, dimmers terminated, control system programmed. Final commissioning and customer training.
02What costs more if you wait.
Adding a recessed light during rough-in: $80-$120 incremental. After drywall: $180-$280 retrofit. After paint: $220-$320 plus paint repair. The economics of doing it right at rough-in are overwhelming — almost any lighting decision is 60-75% cheaper before drywall closes the walls and ceiling.
More importantly: some decisions are essentially impossible after drywall closes. Cove lighting integrated into ceiling soffit must be designed during framing. Wall-grazing fixtures embedded in soffits or columns must be planned at rough-in. Motorized shades require Cat5e runs to keypad locations — easy during framing, very hard after. We work with GC and designer during design phase to identify everything that needs to be decided early.
03When to hire a lighting designer.
Lighting designers add value at design complexity — large homes (3,500+ sq ft), homes with significant architectural features (vaulted ceilings, art walls, water features), or homes where lighting will be a hero element of the design. Their work: detailed lighting plans with fixture spec, scene programming, integration with motorized shades and AV. Fees typically $5,000-$25,000 for residential projects.
For smaller remodels (kitchen-only, single-bathroom, garage conversion), the electrician + interior designer combination usually handles lighting decisions adequately. The electrician brings layout and circuit knowledge; the interior designer brings fixture aesthetics. Together they handle most residential lighting decisions without a separate dedicated designer.
Common questions.
When should I make lighting decisions in my remodel?
Ideal sequence: lighting plan in design phase (before construction starts), final review pre-rough-in, fixtures ordered in time for trim phase. Many customers underestimate lead time on fixtures — designer-spec'd items often have 8-16 week lead times. Order at design phase to avoid trim-phase delays. We help customers track fixture lead times against construction schedule.
Can I change my lighting plan during construction?
Yes, with cost penalty. Adding circuits or changing fixture locations during framing: minimal cost. Changes during rough-in: small change order. Changes after drywall: significant cost. Changes after paint: expensive and disruptive. We can accommodate late changes but the costs scale dramatically by stage. Lock decisions before drywall when possible.
Do I need permit for remodel lighting work?
Yes — all electrical work in a remodel requires permit and inspection. The lighting scope is typically rolled into the larger remodel permit (single permit covers the whole project), with electrical sub-permit handled by us. No separate process needed beyond standard remodel permitting.
What does the electrician do vs the lighting designer?
Lighting designer: overall lighting plan, fixture selection, scene programming, aesthetic decisions. Electrician (us): circuit design, code compliance, physical installation, dimmer compatibility, control system installation, permit and inspection. We collaborate during design phase to make sure the designer's plan is feasible and code-compliant. We handle execution. For smaller remodels without a dedicated lighting designer, we often handle both roles.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
Talk to a licensed electrician in Marin.
Family-run, C-10 #989290, 20+ years in the trade. Honest scoping, fair pricing, work that lasts.