Under-cabinet lighting: hardwired or plug-in?
Hardwired fixtures take some wiring work but look finished and switch with the room. We locate the driver where it can be reached later.
Serving Buffalo Grove & nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine
Kitchen Lighting Installation in Buffalo Grove, IL
Recessed, pendant and under-cabinet lighting for Buffalo Grove kitchens, laid out so the counters are bright and wired by a licensed electrician.
- Serving Buffalo Grove ZIP 60089
- A new look without tearing the kitchen out
- Clean, protected work area every day
Kitchen lighting problems we solve in Buffalo Grove
Most kitchens have enough light in the middle of the floor and too little where you actually chop and read recipes. In Buffalo Grove we plan lighting in layers: recessed or ceiling light for the room, under-cabinet strips for the counters, pendants over the island, each on its own switch or dimmer.
Recessed lights under an insulated attic
Fixtures in a ceiling with insulation above must be IC-rated, meaning they can touch insulation safely. Airtight models also keep warm air from leaking into the attic.
Dark counters and shadows where you work
Ceiling lights behind you throw your shadow onto the cutting board. Under-cabinet LEDs and recessed lights set nearer the counter edge put light where your hands are.
Pendants over the island
Two or three pendants, or one long linear fixture, are common over an island. We place the boxes so the lights line up with the island, not the old ceiling layout.
LEDs that flicker or buzz on the dimmer
If the lights hum or pulse when dimmed, the dimmer and the driver don't agree. We pair them properly.
Fluorescent box or panel that hums and flickers
Removing a large fluorescent light box often leaves a recess or hole in the ceiling. We close it up and wire new LED lighting in its place.
Adding recessed lights to an existing ceiling
Adding can lights to a finished kitchen is mostly careful cutting and fishing wire. We plan the grid around joists, ducts and plumbing above.
One old fixture lighting the whole kitchen
One bulb in the middle leaves the corners and counters dim. A planned layout spreads light where you cook and clean.
What we do on the job
- Lighting layoutWe mark where each light goes and which switch controls it.
- Wiring and circuit checkWe confirm the lighting circuit can carry the new fixtures.
- Ceiling openings and boxesOpenings cut cleanly and pendant boxes secured to framing.
- Fixtures installedEach fixture hung, leveled and wired.
- Switches and dimmersControls installed where you enter and use the kitchen.
- Testing and adjustmentEvery fixture tested, dimmers checked for flicker and pendants set to height.
- Patching and cleanupWe close up openings and clean the work area.
Options to choose from
Recessed lightingDownlights set into the ceiling for even general light.
Pendants and linear fixturesHanging fixtures that light the island and set the style.
Color temperature optionsWarm white around 2700 to 3000K, and selectable-color fixtures where you're unsure.
Under-cabinet LEDTask lighting aimed straight at the counters.
Surface and flush fixturesCeiling-mounted lights when recessing isn't possible.
Kitchens like yours in Buffalo Grove: before and after
Before
AfterA Buffalo Grove 1990s two-story colonial: before and after
A 1990s two-story colonial near Green Knolls, a typical kitchen for Buffalo Grove. What we started with: two hanging glass pendants. What bothered the owners most: dim counters despite the ceiling lights. Finished kitchen: black cage pendants and slim recessed lights on separate switches. Work included wiring and circuit check, testing and adjustment, plus patching and cleanup.
Before
AfterKitchen Lighting Installation in a 1960s ranch, Arlington Heights
The site: a 1960s ranch in Arlington Heights. The kitchen as it was: a fluorescent box light. The reason for the call: an old fluorescent box that flickered. After: two glass pendants and recessed lights on separate switches. On site this meant lighting layout, wiring and circuit check, plus ceiling openings and boxes.
Kitchen Lighting Installation in Arlington Heights →
Before
AfterNorthbrook kitchen, 1960s ranch: kitchen lighting installation
This one is a 1960s ranch in Northbrook. The kitchen as it was: a round fluorescent ceiling ring. The reason for the call: a humming fluorescent light that left the counters flat and dim. The result: black cage pendants and slim recessed lights on separate switches. The job covered lighting layout, wiring and circuit check, plus fixtures installed.
Kitchen Lighting Installation in Northbrook →
Before
AfterBuffalo Grove kitchen, 1980s two-story: kitchen remodeling
Finished: cabinets in pale sage with unlacquered brass knobs and cup pulls, charcoal concrete-look quartz counters, a terracotta-look square tile backsplash, light oak hardwood flooring and black cage pendants and slim recessed lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Buffalo Grove →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a 1980s two-story in Buffalo Grove
Finished: the same doors sprayed in creamy white uppers and navy lowers, new satin brass pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Buffalo Grove →Day by day
- Share photos and plansSend photos of the kitchen, the ceiling and any fixtures you've picked.
- Layout visitAn electrician looks at the space and plans the layers and switching.
- Written estimateA clear written price before any ceiling is cut.
- Install and testWe install, test each light and clean up.
Kitchen Lighting Installation questions from Buffalo Grove homeowners
How long does recessed lighting installation take?
Most kitchen lighting jobs take one to a few days depending on the number of fixtures and access.
Do I need an electrician to install kitchen lighting?
For new fixtures, new switches or any added circuits, yes. Replacing a fixture on an existing box is simpler, but a licensed electrician makes sure the box and wiring are sound.
Can you install fixtures I already bought?
We do. Send us the product details so we check the weight, mounting and dimmer compatibility.
Can recessed lights go into a plaster ceiling?
Yes, with the right tools and patience. Older plaster on lath is common in our area, and we work with it often.
What color temperature is best for a kitchen?
Warm white around 2700 to 3000K is the most common choice. Some owners prefer a slightly cooler task light under cabinets.
Does kitchen lighting project need a Buffalo Grove building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services (BS&A Online), phone 847-459-2530. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Does Buffalo Grove require a licensed electrician for kitchen lighting project?
Electrical contractors provide a copy of current electrical registration/license; Village honors registrations from Illinois municipalities that require a written exam. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Do I need a Buffalo Grove-registered contractor for kitchen lighting project?
All contractors working in the Village must register annually; $75 per trade, no fee for state-licensed contractors. We take care of that before work starts.
Do I need a permit for kitchen lighting project in Buffalo Grove?
It depends on the scope. Buffalo Grove's rule in short: Permit required to replace or modify a kitchen, including replacing cabinetry; replacing a sink or faucet needs a plumbing permit even in the same location; electrical must meet the 2017 NEC. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services.
Do you work in my part of Buffalo Grove?
Yes. Our crews work across Buffalo Grove, including The Highlands, Green Knolls, Windfield, Didier Farms — ZIP 60089 — and nearby Arlington Heights, Palatine, Lake Zurich.
Working in Buffalo Grove
- A lot of Buffalo Grove kitchens date from the 1980s. We know these layouts well and what is worth keeping.
- Most Buffalo Grove homes are single-family. We protect floors and driveways and leave the site clean every day.
- We know how Community Development Services, Building & Zoning Services handles kitchen permits and pull them for you.
The HighlandsGreen KnollsWindfieldDidier Farms
ZIP 60089
Kitchen Lighting Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Buffalo Grove
Kitchen RemodelingFull kitchen remodels, from layout to last cabinet pull.
Kitchen Cabinet PaintingFactory-smooth painted cabinets without replacing them.
Cabinet RefacingNew doors and fronts on your existing cabinet boxes.
Countertop Fabrication & InstallationQuartz, granite and butcher block, templated and installed.
Kitchen Backsplash InstallationTile backsplashes with clean lines and flush outlets.