An educational guide to help you make the best choice for your home lighting project in Chicago
Choosing the right electrical contractor for your recessed lighting installation is an important decision. This guide outlines the key factors you should evaluate when comparing your options in the Chicago area.
What to Look For: Clear, upfront pricing without hidden fees. Ideally, you should be able to estimate your project cost before even making a phone call.
Why It Matters: Transparent pricing saves you time and prevents surprise costs. You deserve to know what you'll pay before committing to a consultation.
What We Offer: Interactive pricing calculator on our website. You can estimate your exact project cost in minutes: $500 for first light, $200 for each additional light in a room. 10% discount for 3+ rooms.
What to Look For: At minimum, look for a 1-year warranty on parts and labor. Some contractors offer 30-60 day warranties, while others offer 2-5 years.
Why It Matters: A strong warranty shows the contractor stands behind their work. Electrical issues can emerge months after installation.
What We Offer: 2-year complete warranty on all parts and labor. This is double the industry standard and gives you peace of mind.
What to Look For: State electrical license, liability insurance, and worker's compensation coverage. Always ask to verify credentials.
Why It Matters: Unlicensed electricians put your home at risk. Insurance protects you if something goes wrong during installation.
What We Offer: Fully licensed Illinois electrical contractor with comprehensive liability and worker's comp insurance. We can provide proof upon request.
What to Look For: At least 5-10 years in business, with specific experience in recessed lighting. Check online reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook.
Why It Matters: Recessed lighting requires expertise in layout planning, electrical load calculation, and clean drywall work. Experience matters.
What We Offer: Over 20 years of electrical experience serving Chicagoland. 4.9-star rating with 287+ reviews. Hundreds of successful recessed lighting installations across all Chicago suburbs.
What to Look For: Contractors who can schedule within 2-3 weeks and provide realistic timeframes. Avoid contractors who are booked 2+ months out or who are available "immediately" (often a red flag).
Why It Matters: You want a contractor who's busy enough to be reputable, but not so overbooked that your project gets rushed or delayed repeatedly.
What We Offer: Most projects scheduled within 2 weeks. Single-room installations completed in 3-5 hours. We respect your time and arrive when promised.
What to Look For: Prompt responses to calls/emails, clear explanations of the work, and willingness to answer questions. Professional appearance and conduct.
Why It Matters: Good communication prevents misunderstandings and ensures you get exactly what you want. Professional contractors treat your home with respect.
What We Offer: Family-owned local business focused on customer satisfaction. We respond to inquiries within 24 hours and provide detailed project explanations before starting work.
What to Look For: Contractors who include patching and painting in their quotes. Ask about their cleanup process and how they protect your home during installation.
Why It Matters: Recessed lighting installation creates dust and debris. Some contractors leave holes unpatched or don't clean up properly, forcing you to hire additional help.
What We Offer: Patching and painting included in all quotes. We protect your floors and furniture, and leave your home cleaner than we found it. No additional cleanup costs.
What to Look For: Experience with smart lighting systems including Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. Ask if they can install dimmers and multi-zone controls.
Why It Matters: Smart home technology is increasingly important. You want a contractor who understands modern lighting control systems.
What We Offer: Expertise in smart home lighting integration. We install and configure smart switches, dimmers, and color-changing LEDs compatible with all major platforms.
What to Consider: Local contractors often provide more personalized service, while national chains may have more resources but less flexibility. Neither is inherently better—it depends on your priorities.
Why It Matters: Local businesses are invested in their community reputation. National chains may subcontract work to local electricians anyway.
What We Offer: Family-owned local business based in the Chicago suburbs. We live and work in the communities we serve and depend on word-of-mouth referrals.
What to Look For: Contractors who specialize in residential lighting often do better work than general electricians who occasionally install recessed lights. However, full-service electrical contractors offer more flexibility for related needs.
Why It Matters: Specialists have refined techniques and efficiency. But if you need other electrical work (panel upgrades, outlets, etc.), a full-service contractor saves you from hiring multiple companies.
What We Offer: Recessed lighting is our specialty, but we're also full-service electrical contractors. We can handle panel upgrades, outlet installation, electrical repairs, and more—all in one visit.
Now that you know what to look for, we invite you to compare our services. Get a free quote with no obligation.