If you're thinking about remodeling the lighting in your home, take a peek at these tips from professional lighting contractors, to help make the project a little easier for you.
Let’s start with the financial side of things...
Before any work is started, you will need to have a good idea of just how much your home lighting remodeling project is going to cost you. There will be costs associated with both DIY jobs and contractor-based jobs, but the difference between the two might not be as wide as expected.
How much will all of the materials cost? And labor?
Now consider how much the lighting renovations will add to your home's market value - will it be worth it?
How long will your home be “out of action” for, and will you need to put yourself/your family up in a hotel or similar while it is?
Can you stay in your home while the work is being done? Will you need to buy non-mains operated lights to see you through? How long will you need them for? Should you buy or rent the lights and/or other equipment?
What is your entire budget? Will that finance the entire remodel, or will you need to source money from other areas? What happens if the project runs over budget?
A home lighting remodel is rarely a simple case, and there are many extra added costs that you might not have considered from the outset.
Let’s move on to ideas and planning…
Do you have the end result pictured in your head already? Or are you at a complete standstill when it comes to visualizing your home with a new lighting design?
This kind of job isn't the type you can just go-with-the-flow with. You are working with the electrical wiring system of the house, and drywall/ceilings/floors may need to be cut or otherwise damaged (and then restored) to be able to install new fixtures and fittings for your lighting remodel. Changing your mind at the last minute could mean adding an extra few days or weeks to the job… and a few hundred or thousand extra dollars.
Hiring a lighting expert makes this job easier. They’ll be able to talk you through all of the options you have, along with prices, as well as helping you visualize what the space will look like when the remodel is complete. If one of your ideas aren't compatible with the room or home, a lighting contractor will be able to tell you that, before any cutting/rewiring/hardcore DIY’ing is done.
They'll also know which of the LED light bulbs aren't compatible with dimmer switches without having to install them and find out the hard way, and how many lumens per meter is optimal for a residential building to add market value.
You MUST have a plan when it comes to remodeling the lighting in your home. You must know where all of the wet walls are, where all of the electrical cables are, where you can and cannot damage/cut, and much more besides.
This is one of those jobs that is perhaps best left to the professionals.
Next, it's time to get on with the job…
If you're hiring a contractor for your lighting remodel, make sure that you pick one that is reliable, reputable, and has good reviews. Get everything in writing, and ask plenty of questions.
Will there be added costs?
How long will the job take?
How many contractors will be on the team?
What could make this job take longer than quoted?
If you're attempting to DIY your lighting remodel, you should make sure that you know the laws on doing such a thing. Some states require electrical work and other major system work to be signed up by a licensed and trained professional, so if you can't do the work to pass that standard, or you don't know the standards you should be working towards, you shouldn't attempt to do it at all.