Plaster ceilings in older homes
In older Evanston homes the ceiling is often plaster on wood lath. We cut with the right tools, support the edges and fish wire carefully between joists.
Serving Evanston & nearby Skokie, Glenview
Kitchen Lighting Installation in Evanston, IL
Recessed, pendant and under-cabinet lighting for Evanston kitchens, laid out so the counters are bright and wired by a licensed electrician.
- Crews working in Evanston ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208
- Most jobs done in days, with your kitchen still usable
- Samples and a written quote before we start
Kitchen lighting problems we solve in Evanston
Most kitchens have enough light in the middle of the floor and too little where you actually chop and read recipes. In Evanston 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.
Concrete ceilings in condo buildings
Condo kitchens with concrete ceilings need surface-mounted lighting or a framed soffit. We plan it with the building's rules in mind.
Light that looks too blue or too yellow
Color temperature sets the mood. Warm white around 2700 to 3000K is common in kitchens, while cooler light can make wood and stone look harsh.
Fluorescent box or panel that hums and flickers
Old fluorescent boxes buzz, flicker and give flat light. We take them out, patch the ceiling and install recessed or surface LED fixtures.
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.
Adding recessed lights to an existing ceiling
Recessed lighting can go into most existing ceilings without tearing them down. We check joist direction and obstacles before placing them.
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.
Switches in the wrong place or one switch for everything
When every light is on one switch, you can't set a softer evening light. We split the layers onto separate switches and dimmers.
What we do on the job
- Lighting layoutA plan for ceiling, task, island and accent light, with fixture positions and switching.
- Wiring and circuit checkExisting circuits checked for capacity; a permit pulled when new circuits are added.
- Old fixtures removedThe old lights come out and the ceiling is prepared.
- Wire fished to fixtures and switchesWe pull wire from the switch to each fixture location.
- Switches and dimmersControls installed where you enter and use the kitchen.
- Testing and adjustmentWe run each circuit and fine-tune before leaving.
- Patching and cleanupAccess holes patched and the kitchen cleaned of dust.
Materials and finishes
Surface and flush fixturesLow-profile LED discs and flush or semi-flush fixtures for shallow or concrete ceilings.
Accent lightingSofter layers that add depth in the evening.
Recessed lightingCanless LED wafers or housings with LED trims, IC-rated where insulation is present.
Color temperature optionsLEDs in a consistent, warm color with good rendering.
Pendants and linear fixturesHanging fixtures that light the island and set the style.
Kitchen Lighting Installation before and after — Evanston homes
Before
AfterAn Evanston brick bungalow from the 1920s: before and after
This one is a brick bungalow from the 1920s in Evanston. What we started with: a single pendant bowl light. The reason for the call: a single old light that left the counters in shadow. Finished kitchen: a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights on separate switches. Work included lighting layout, wire fished to fixtures and switches, plus testing and adjustment.
Before
AfterSkokie kitchen, postwar bi-level: kitchen lighting installation
The site: a postwar bi-level in Skokie. Before: a fluorescent box light. What bothered the owners most: an old fluorescent box that flickered. Finished kitchen: two glass pendants and recessed lights on separate switches. The job covered lighting layout, switches and dimmers, plus patching and cleanup.
Kitchen Lighting Installation in Skokie →
Before
AfterA Glenview 1950s ranch: before and after
This one is a 1950s ranch near The Grove. The kitchen as it was: a dome ceiling light. What bothered the owners most: a single old light that left the counters in shadow. After: a flush drum fixture and under-cabinet lights on separate switches. The job covered old fixtures removed, switches and dimmers, plus testing and adjustment.
Kitchen Lighting Installation in Glenview →
Before
AfterKitchen Remodeling in a 1920s bungalow, Evanston
Soft sage-green inset-style cabinets with unlacquered brass hardware, honed white marble-look quartz counters, a white handmade-look square tile backsplash, restored oak strip floor and schoolhouse pendant lights.
Kitchen Remodeling in Evanston →
Before
AfterBefore and after: a brick bungalow from the 1920s in Evanston
The same doors sprayed in soft white, new matte black pulls; counters and floor stayed as they were.
Kitchen Cabinet Painting in Evanston →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 testFixtures wired and mounted, dimmers set, ceiling patched and everything tested.
Kitchen Lighting Installation questions from Evanston homeowners
Can recessed lights go into a plaster ceiling?
They can. We cut each hole slowly to avoid cracks and patch around the trims.
What's the best lighting for a small kitchen?
In a small kitchen, under-cabinet lighting does the most work for the space. Add even ceiling light and skip bulky fixtures.
Do I need an electrician to install kitchen lighting?
Anything beyond a bulb swap is best left to a licensed electrician. We also check whether the work needs a village permit.
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.
Can you install fixtures I already bought?
We do. Send us the product details so we check the weight, mounting and dimmer compatibility.
Can you do kitchen lighting project in an Evanston condo?
Associations usually set rules for work hours, elevators, deliveries and insurance, and many require approval for plumbing, electrical or structural changes. We provide the certificate of insurance and follow the building's rules.
Does kitchen lighting project need a Evanston building permit, and who files it?
Permits go through Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services), phone (847) 448-4311. When your scope needs one, we prepare the application and schedule the inspections.
Do I need a Evanston-registered contractor for kitchen lighting project?
All contractors working in city limits must register with the City; annual fee General Contractor $150, Trade Contractor $125. We take care of that before work starts.
Does Evanston require a licensed electrician for kitchen lighting project?
Electrical contractors must register and submit a copy of an electrical license from a testing municipality (or state license if state-regulated). Electrician must be on site for electrical rough inspections. New circuits and wiring are done by licensed electricians.
Do I need a permit for kitchen lighting project in Evanston?
It depends on the scope. Evanston's rule in short: Residential permit applications go through the Citizen Portal; City worksheets signed by the contractors are required for any electrical, plumbing or HVAC work. We handle the permit when one is needed with Community Development Department, Building & Development Services (Building & Inspection Services).
Do you work in my part of Evanston?
Yes. Our crews work across Evanston — ZIP 60201, 60202, 60208 — and nearby Skokie, Glenview, Park Ridge.
Working in Evanston
- Most Evanston homes are prewar. We work around plaster walls, radiators and out-of-square rooms every week.
- Condo or townhome? We follow association rules on work hours and elevators and bring the insurance certificate your board asks for.
- Live in a historic district? Interior kitchen work is usually not reviewed. We check before anything touches the exterior.
ZIP 60201ZIP 60202ZIP 60208
Kitchen Lighting Installation nearby
Other kitchen services in Evanston
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.