Can you install under-cabinet lighting in an existing kitchen?

Yes. Under-cabinet lighting can be added to finished cabinets. The electrician plans a switch location and a power source, then runs wire as discreetly as the walls allow. Plug-in strips are an alternative when running wire is not practical.

Can I replace a light fixture with a ceiling fan?

Often, but not on every box. A ceiling fan needs an electrical box rated to carry the weight and the movement of a fan. If the existing box is only rated for a light, the electrician replaces it with one made for fans.

Should I put my kitchen pendants on a dimmer?

Usually yes. A dimmer lets the same pendants work for cooking and for evenings. Check that the dimmer matches the bulbs or LED drivers in the fixtures, because mismatched parts can flicker or buzz.

Electrical service

Lighting installation in DuPage, Kane, Cook and Will Counties

Lighting installation covers everything that is not a ceiling can light: pendants and chandeliers, under-cabinet LED strips, ceiling fans, security lights and landscape lighting. CPB Electric installs and replaces interior and exterior lighting for homes and businesses in DuPage, Kane, Cook and Will Counties.

Call (630) 414-6550 Get in Touch

What lighting work does CPB Electric do?

Interior and exterior fixture replacements
Under-cabinet LED lighting
Landscape and low-voltage lighting
Security lighting
Patio and yard lighting
Ceiling fan installation
Emergency and exit lighting systems and parking lot lighting for commercial properties

What is low-voltage landscape lighting?

Low-voltage landscape lighting runs on a transformer that steps household power down to a safe, low voltage. That makes it flexible for uplights on trees, path lights, wall washes and accent lights, and it is easy to adjust as plants grow. The transformer and the connection to a household circuit are the electrical work.

Under-cabinet lighting: what should I know first?

Under-cabinet LED strips and bars light the counter where you work. Hardwired lighting has a clean look with no visible cords and can run from a wall switch or a dimmer. Plug-in strips are simpler but leave cords and a visible plug. Plan the switch location and the color temperature before the cabinets are finished.

What should I check before replacing a light fixture or adding a ceiling fan?

The electrical box must be rated to support the weight of the fixture, and fans need a box made for them.
Dimmers must be compatible with the bulbs or LED drivers in the new fixture.
Outdoor fixtures should be rated for wet locations.
Heavy chandeliers and large fixtures may need extra support in the ceiling.

How does a lighting installation work?

Decide what you want lit
Walk the spaces with CPB Electric and choose fixtures, switch locations and any dimming.
Check the wiring
The circuit, box and switch are checked for the new load and the new fixture.
Install
Fixtures, fans, strips or landscape lights are installed and connected.
Aim, adjust and test
Light is aimed and adjusted, dimmers are set and everything is tested.

What affects the cost of lighting installation?

Lighting jobs range from a single fixture swap to a whole property. The main factors are:

The number and type of fixtures
Whether new wiring or switches have to be run
How hard the ceiling or wall is to reach
Outdoor runs, trenching and the size of the landscape system
Dimmers, smart controls and timers
Fixtures you supply versus fixtures CPB Electric sources with you

CPB Electric explains what drives the price on your job. Call (630) 414-6550 to talk it through.

Lighting in northern Illinois

Winter days in northern Illinois are short, so exterior, security and landscape lighting does a lot of work from late afternoon on. Outdoor fixtures face freezing temperatures, rain and snow, so wet-location rated fixtures and weatherproof connections matter.

For recessed ceiling lights, see our page on recessed lighting installation. To see finished work, browse the project gallery.

Frequently asked questions

Can you install under-cabinet lighting in an existing kitchen?: Yes. Under-cabinet lighting can be added to finished cabinets. The electrician plans a switch location and a power source, then runs wire as discreetly as the walls allow. Plug-in strips are an alternative when running wire is not practical.
What is low-voltage landscape lighting?: It is outdoor lighting that runs on a transformer that steps household power down to a low voltage. It is used for uplights on trees, path lights and accent lights, and is easy to expand or adjust over time.
Can I replace a light fixture with a ceiling fan?: Often, but not on every box. A ceiling fan needs an electrical box rated to carry the weight and the movement of a fan. If the existing box is only rated for a light, the electrician replaces it with one made for fans.
Should I put my kitchen pendants on a dimmer?: Usually yes. A dimmer lets the same pendants work for cooking and for evenings. Check that the dimmer matches the bulbs or LED drivers in the fixtures, because mismatched parts can flicker or buzz.