[Sable99]

I want to have pendant lights installed over my kitchen island. Do I need an electrician or can a handyman do this project? Does anyone have any recommendations.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Sable99

I want to have pendant lights installed over my kitchen island. Do I need an electrician or can a handyman do this project? Does anyone have any recommendations.

If the installation requires adding new ceiling boxes (for the wiring) the person doing so absolutely has to be an electrician. If there are ceiling boxes already in place (unlikely) anyone can replace an existing fixture with another.

[villagetinker]

Sable99, If your new pendant lights are going in the SAME place as the existing ceiling lights, there is a kit (home depot or Lowes) that provides the conversion for hanging pendant lights. I have one somewhere in the house that I have not used yet. In this case you should be able to use a handyman, as the conversion is intended for homeowner installation. If you need to move the existing ceiling lights for the pendant, then I agree with the above comment, hire a certified electrician. You will also need to hire a person to fix the ceiling when the new lights are installed, and possibly someone to fix/fill the insulation is going to be disturbed.

One possible alternative is the track lighting systems that have pendant light options. These would be surface mount, you could leave the existing ceiling lights in place, and if you can find the low voltage version, it becomes a do it yourself project.
Send me a PM and we can talk over the phone.

[Count'n the days]

I ordered Instant Pendant Lights from Worth Home Products. Their website is Worth Home Products | Instant Pendant Lights | Premium A/C Return Grilles | Instant Pendant Lights and Premium A/C Return Grilles. I noticed they also sell their products at Home Depot. My lights were the eyeball style and they still fit under the cover. I was really happy to find such an easy fix.

[karostay]

If you can screw in a light bulb you can do it your self
Go to Lowe's they'll show you how to do it

[Sable99]

Originally Posted by karostay

If you can screw in a light bulb you can do it your self
Go to Lowe's they'll show you how to do it

My problem is I'm vertically challenged!

[Sable99]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Sable99, If your new pendant lights are going in the SAME place as the existing ceiling lights, there is a kit (home depot or Lowes) that provides the conversion for hanging pendant lights. I have one somewhere in the house that I have not used yet. In this case you should be able to use a handyman, as the conversion is intended for homeowner installation. If you need to move the existing ceiling lights for the pendant, then I agree with the above comment, hire a certified electrician. You will also need to hire a person to fix the ceiling when the new lights are installed, and possibly someone to fix/fill the insulation is going to be disturbed.

One possible alternative is the track lighting systems that have pendant light options. These would be surface mount, you could leave the existing ceiling lights in place, and if you can find the low voltage version, it becomes a do it yourself project.
Send me a PM and we can talk over the phone.

I'm planning on putting the pendant lights in the same place as the three lights that are there now!! I just need the lights closer and I'm vertically challenged to do it myself! I'm planning ahead as I'm not going to be in TV until mid April.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Sable99

I'm planning on putting the pendant lights in the same place as the three lights that are there now!! I just need the lights closer and I'm vertically challenged to do it myself! I'm planning ahead as I'm not going to be in TV until mid April.

That is good news, then as pointed out above there are various DYI (or handyman) option that convert the existing can lights to pendant lights. One other option, if you need more light, and this is the reason for the pendant lights, LED bulbs (Bright white color) will provide almost twice as much light as the original incandescent lights. We put these in very shortly after moving in and love them. Cost $5 to $10 per bulb depending where you buy them, we used Cree bulbs from Lowes. 60 watt equivalent worked very well, and we used the standard type bulb, NOT the spot or flood bulbs.