I am currently in market for a house, looked at a few. I like the area and floor plan and everything but all of there houses don't have fans or any kind of lights in any bedrooms (except master) and that is what holding me back. Houses I looked at are old but not that old (oldest I looked at is 12 years old). Those stand type lights and fans take alot of space and don't light up room very well. I have a couple of questions--

Is it possible to add fans/lights in a house with doing any major damage.

If yes, how time/money consuming process is this. I mean all houses are move in ready but I want fans/lights added before moving in. I already put in offer for 3 houses waiting for approval from bank.


And If someone know a good construction company or a mason in Bay Area California and want to help me out, that will be appreciated.

 

Central Air> Fans



as for no bedroom lights, the cost of getting them wired up by a licensed electrician is probably pretty expensive.

 

Where in the bay are you located? I know several construction companies. Also, what is your price range?

 

Pittsburg/Antioch...

Price range.. Want the job done right at reasonable price. I don;t want fan to land on me in middle of night..

Well I looked through yellow pages. Found a few companies who do such work. Talked to one, he quoted me $250/room but negotiated down to $200/room... I think its reasonable. What do you guys think??


Subinf-- Thanks for taking time to read this and If you can get me quote from somebody for 5 rooms that will be great. Thanks again.

 

are the houses already finished? When i got my house built, we had the options of where to get a fan prewire and/or CAN lighting or lamp outlets for switches.

 

Yes. Current house we have we bought it brand new so we had everything done. The one I am looking forward to buy was built in 1998. 2238sq. ft. living space, 7500sq. ft. lot area. 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 3 car garage, you can park 6 cars on drive way, wide streets, no back neighbours, back yard already finished, nice view of mountains. Just need to wash carpet and paint a few walls. Previous owner had dogs so garage smells like shit. $249900 (Bank Owned). Offered $260000(its worth it) so I am positive that I'll be able to get this one.

Upgrade list-- Upgrade kitchen with granite countertops, new sink and dish washer, probably get new front door. Room next to master bedroom is too small so maybe knock the wall down and make master bedroom actually look like master bedroom

 

$200/room not bad unless you can get $150. Does this person have electrician license and/or references? Will he brace the ceiling fixture with a 2x4 to support a fan?

 

Don't know about that yet, I only called, didn't go to his place to check what he has.

I sure will look around but a little info is good to have, like I didn't knew about licence and stuff to check/ask for if he have any. Thanks for this usefull tip guys.

 

Yes he was saying something like that. he told me $125 for running wires through walls/ceiling and add box & switch and $125 for something that goes in ceiling to hold fan/light there. that might be ceiling fixture.

 

You should get a licensed electrical contractor with insurance (check the CA Dept of Consumer Affairs website for contractor licensing verification by name and/or license #), get references for similar work the contractor has done in the past and also check the BBB site for complaints against that contractor, at a minimum.

 

I've done them before. They're not that bad. Worst part is the wire pulls, especially getting into the summer time. It can get pretty toasty up in the attic. $200 a room for a licensed/insured electrician isn't too bad.

I've noticed that a lot of houses built in the 90's and later don't have ceiling fixtures. Its like every builder got cheap at the same time. They all went to switched outlets. Thankfully I'm only going to have to pull one in my new place.

 

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...eilingFan.html

I installed 3 in my current home. It was very easy.