Please help me fix this guy's mess. I didn't realize how bad it looked until after he left. I bought this from someone on TOTV.They must have had a volume ceiling. It needs to be higher. I don't have a table there so it was hard to judge. Can't the chain & wires be cut to size? I'm moving on the 12th so need this done this week(can't do Tues). I'll pay $20. Send me a pm.

P.S. I'm trying to remember what I heard on an HGTV program about how far above the table the bottom of the light fixture should be.
If you know please post or can others post the height of theirs? Thanks!

[kathyspear]

I had always heard "34 to 37 inches" but I just found this online:

8′ ceiling: 32 -36″ between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture
9′ ceiling: 36″-40″ between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture
10′ ceiling: 40″-44″ between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture

Yes, links should be removed, if necessary, to make it the appropriate height. I have never seen anyone do what your handyman did. Oy!! Fortunately, it is an easy fix for a decent handyman.

Good luck.

kathy

[Kenswing]

Those pictures show someone who is lazy and takes no pride in their work. Shameful..

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by KittyKat

Please help me fix this guy's mess. I didn't realize how bad it looked until after he left. I bought this from someone on TOTV.They must have had a volume ceiling. It needs to be higher. I don't have a table there so it was hard to judge. Can't the chain & wires be cut to size? I'm moving on the 12th so need this done this week(can't do Tues). I'll pay $20. Send me a pm.

P.S. I'm trying to remember what I heard on an HGTV program about how far above the table the bottom of the light fixture should be.
If you know please post or can others post the height of theirs? Thanks!

Yes, the chain can be cut to length, in most cases, all you need is a pair or 2 of pliers, open a link, remove excess chain, reinstall on loop at ceiling and press closed. The lamp will need to be either removed from the ceiling, or at the end of the chain to shorten the wire. I have done this many times.
Now if no one else offers to help, I may be able to help, but i just started a large project at my own home, so let me know if no one else replies.

It looks like he just tied it up until you decided what length you wanted it to be.

Originally Posted by kathyspear

I had always heard "34 to 37 inches" but I just found this online:

8′ ceiling: 32 -36″ between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture
9′ ceiling: 36″-40″ between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture
10′ ceiling: 40″-44″ between the top of your table and the bottom of your fixture

Yes, links should be removed, if necessary, to make it the appropriate height. I have never seen anyone do what your handyman did. Oy!! Fortunately, it is an easy fix for a decent handyman.

Good luck.

kathy

Thanks, Kathy. Now I can measure the height of my little drop-leaf table in the kitchen & add 34".

Originally Posted by Kenswing

Those pictures show someone who is lazy and takes no pride in their work. Shameful..

He was 78 years old & very slow. I thought he was going to fall off MY ladder! Took him from 12:15-4pm to remove my remote-controlled fan with light that I am taking with me and install a plain new fan! I had to leave for a hair appt & he had to come back the next day to put this fixture up. He used to teach SHOP for middle-schoolers, I think, and then he taught at a Tech school!
He was recommended here twice!

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Yes, the chain can be cut to length, in most cases, all you need is a pair or 2 of pliers, open a link, remove excess chain, reinstall on loop at ceiling and press closed. The lamp will need to be either removed from the ceiling, or at the end of the chain to shorten the wire. I have done this many times.
Now if no one else offers to help, I may be able to help, but i just started a large project at my own home, so let me know if no one else replies.

I never even thought about opening the link--I was focused on the big blob in the middle. I can't get in touch with David, my usual great handyman--I must have said something wrong on one of my many messages to him--so I will take you up on your kind offer if no one offers. It's times like these I miss my Dad. Thanks, Tinker.

[Midnight Cowgirl]

I can make this very simple for you regarding the height of a light fixture over a dining room table.

Standard dining tables are 29'-30" high.
The bottom of your fixture should be 30" above the tabletop or 60" from the floor to the bottom of the light fixture.

Unless you have an overly large or small light fixture, the above measurements are the general and standard rule-of-thumb for the height.

Thanks, Cowgirl. I see you are a night owl too.

[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by KittyKat

He was 78 years old & very slow. I thought he was going to fall off MY ladder! Took him from 12:15-4pm to remove my remote-controlled fan with light that I am taking with me and install a plain new fan! I had to leave for a hair appt & he had to come back the next day to put this fixture up. He used to teach SHOP for middle-schoolers, I think, and then he taught at a Tech school!
He was recommended here twice!

I just can't imagine hiring a 78yo "handyman", and letting him climb a ladder in my house. Hire a professional and spend the extra money to get the job done right. Either that, or spend the money on a lawyer when the old fool sues you, cause he fell off the ladder, and can't enjoy the pleasure of his wife's company.

He was recommended by 2 people here. I didn't know he was that old until he showed up & we got to talking. I was surprised that he didn't have his own ladder and he said he just has an SUV (not a truck? or box trailer?). Then he asked for a flashlight (I gave him a small LED one that I had just bought) and I wondered what had I gotten myself into.

His wife is dead.