Can lights, also called recessed lights, are one of the most popular upgrades in a remodel. They deliver clean, even lighting without taking up visual space, and a remodel is the ideal time to add them. While the finished look is simple, doing it right involves careful planning, the correct fixtures, and proper wiring, which is why this is a job for a licensed electrician.

Here is how can lights are added during a remodel and what to think about.

Plan the layout first

Good recessed lighting starts with a plan. Before any fixtures go in, the layout is mapped out to deliver even, functional light. Planning considers:

• The size and shape of the room
• Even spacing so there are no dark spots or hot spots
• Task areas that need more light, like a kitchen counter or a reading nook
• The location of ceiling joists, ductwork, and other obstructions
• How the lights will be grouped and switched

A thoughtful layout is what separates recessed lighting that looks professional from lighting that feels random.

Choose the right fixtures

Not all recessed fixtures are the same, and choosing the correct type matters for safety and performance:

• IC-rated fixtures are required where the housing will be in contact with insulation, which is common in ceilings. Using a non-IC fixture in insulation is a fire hazard.
• Airtight housings help with energy efficiency by reducing air leakage.
• Wet or damp-rated fixtures are needed in showers, over tubs, or other moist locations.
• Remodel, or old-work, fixtures are designed to install into an existing ceiling through a single cut, versus new-construction fixtures that mount to joists before the ceiling is up.

The right choice depends on your ceiling, whether it is open during the remodel, and where the lights are going.

Wiring and switching

Adding can lights means running wiring to each fixture and connecting them to a switch. During a remodel, this may involve fishing wire through the ceiling if it is closed, or running it directly if the ceiling is open. Considerations include:

• Connecting the fixtures to an appropriate circuit with capacity to spare
• Wiring the lights to one or more switches, grouped in a sensible way
• Adding dimmers, which are popular with recessed lighting, using dimmer-compatible fixtures and bulbs
• Ensuring proper connections in approved boxes.

LED recessed fixtures are now the standard choice, since they run cool, last a long time, and are energy efficient.

Why timing during a remodel helps

A remodel is the best time to add can lights because the ceiling may already be open, or is easier to access, which simplifies running the wiring. If drywall is coming down or going up anyway, coordinating the lighting with that work reduces disruption and cost. Planning the lighting alongside the rest of the remodel also lets you integrate it with your overall design and switching scheme.

Why a licensed electrician should do it

Recessed lighting involves working with wiring, choosing fixtures rated for their location, ensuring the circuit can handle the added load, and making safe connections, sometimes in ceilings near insulation. A licensed electrician handles the layout, fixture selection, wiring, and any permit requirements, and ensures everything is installed safely and to code. This protects against the fire risks that come from improper fixtures or connections.

Adding can lights during a remodel comes down to planning a good layout, choosing the correct fixtures such as IC-rated and remodel-style housings, running wiring to a suitable circuit and switch, and often adding dimmers. A remodel is the ideal time because the ceiling is more accessible. Because it involves wiring, fixture ratings, and circuit capacity, recessed lighting should be installed by a licensed electrician for a safe, professional result.

Stella Electric designs and installs recessed lighting for remodels across the Baltimore area and throughout Maryland, with flat-rate pricing and no overtime charges. If you are remodeling and want can lights, we will plan and install them right. Financing is available on qualifying projects.