Under-cabinet lighting — task lighting that makes kitchens work.
Under-cabinet lighting transforms kitchen task work — chopping, reading recipes, finding things in the drawer. Properly installed LED bar or strip lighting runs $180-$420 per linear foot installed, hardwired to a dimmer. Plug-in puck lights are a cheap shortcut that looks like it.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Under-cabinet lighting installs as either hardwired LED strip/bar (recommended) or plug-in puck lights (cheaper but visible). Hardwired install: $180-$420 per linear foot including fixture, conductor, switch, dimmer. Plug-in: $40-$80 per puck, DIY-able. Hardwired looks integrated and lasts 10-15 years; plug-in looks added-on and lasts 3-7 years.
01Hardwired vs plug-in.
| Approach | Cost | Look | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwired LED strip (recommended) | $220-$340/linear foot | Integrated, invisible source | 10-15 years |
| Hardwired LED bar (Kichler, WAC) | $180-$320/linear foot | Linear, slight profile visible | 8-12 years |
| Hardwired LED puck (older style) | $140-$240/per puck installed | Visible puck shape | 8-12 years |
| Plug-in LED strip (DIY) | $60-$160 per kit | Visible cord, varying quality | 2-5 years |
| Plug-in LED puck (DIY) | $40-$80 per puck | Visible source and cord | 3-7 years |
02What separates good install from cheap.
Good hardwired under-cabinet install: LED strip or bar fixture concealed behind the cabinet's front face frame, completely invisible from normal kitchen sight lines. Hardwired through the cabinet back into a junction box. Switched at a wall switch (or smart dimmer) at counter height. Dimmable for evening/morning task variation. CCT around 3000K (warm white) or 2700K (very warm) — never 5000K (too cold for kitchens).
Cheap install: visible plug-in fixtures, cord running along the cabinet underside, plugged into a counter outlet (taking up an outlet, dangling cord), single-brightness no dimming. Function works but the kitchen always looks 'added to' rather than designed. The difference between $300 and $80 of fixture cost shows immediately and persists for the life of the kitchen.
03Color temperature decision.
2700K (warm)
Like incandescent. Cozy. Best for kitchens that double as gathering spaces, breakfast nooks, evening entertaining.
3000K (warm white)
Sweet spot for most kitchens. Warm but slightly cleaner than 2700K. Works in modern kitchens without feeling sterile.
3500K (neutral warm)
Cleaner. Good for kitchens emphasizing white cabinets and modern minimalist design. Less cozy.
4000K and up (cool)
Generally avoid for residential kitchens — feels industrial. Sometimes used in serious chef kitchens or commercial-style residential. Match to overall kitchen lighting temperature; mixed CCT looks wrong.
Common questions.
Can under-cabinet lights be dimmed?
Hardwired LED bars and strips dim cleanly with appropriate LED-rated dimmer (Lutron CL series, Leviton Decora Smart). Plug-in models vary — some dim, some don't. Dimming under-cabinet lighting is genuinely useful: full bright for chopping/reading, 30-40% for ambient evening light, 10-15% for late-night kitchen pass-through. We use Lutron CL dimmers for hardwired installs by default.
Will under-cabinet lighting show shadows on the countertop?
Properly installed, no — the fixture sits forward in the cabinet (near the front face) and projects light evenly across the counter depth. Cheap or poorly-placed installs cause uneven illumination with dark zones at the back of the counter. We position fixtures forward (1-2 inches behind the cabinet front face) for even coverage. Fixture spacing also matters: continuous LED strip eliminates dark zones; spaced pucks create alternating pools of light and shadow.
Do I need to remove cabinets for hardwired install?
Rarely. For most modern kitchen cabinets, we route wire from the back of the wall (through the wall behind the cabinet) to the underside fixture, with a small access hole drilled through the cabinet bottom. No cabinet removal needed. Some older cabinets or specific cabinet construction may require more creative routing — we assess during the quote. About 95% of Marin kitchens are installable without removing cabinets.
How much does typical kitchen under-cabinet lighting cost?
For a typical Marin kitchen with 12-18 linear feet of upper cabinets needing under-cabinet lighting: $2,400-$4,800 installed for hardwired LED bar/strip with dimmer. Includes fixtures (LED bars from Kichler, WAC, or hardwired LED strip from Diode LED or similar), conductor, switch/dimmer, install labor, and permit if required. Plug-in DIY equivalent: $200-$600 for the kit, $0 install, but visibly cheaper appearance.
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.