Electrical installation in Vilnius

Wiring seems so simple you may try to do it yourself. But unless you're simply plugging a lamp into a wall, amateurs shouldn't muck around with electrical jobs. Doing it wrong can be dangerous. Fortunately, a qualified electrician can help ensure you're doing your wiring safely and successfully.

Electrical Wiring Costs

Service costs largely depend on whether you need full electrical wiring for a new home, a rewiring service in an older house, or simply light fixture installation or replacement. When estimating your project cost, consider the approximate time it will take to complete and your electricians’ hourly rates, as well as additional cost factors, such as materials (wires, lights, sockets, etc.). Wiring projects often require a substantial investment; fortunately, it’s a one-time expense that will help make your home more functional and safer.

Home wiring and rewiring

Electrical wiring is the process of connecting various wires throughout a given space for the purpose of conducting electricity. This could be the rough wiring done in a new addition or building prior to connecting appliances and fixtures, or it could mean the finished wiring and addition of a new electrical circuit to a home.

A wiring project usually begins with mapping it out or determining what is needed and where. This can include light placement, switch placement, outlet placement, how many amps or volts a specific area needs, and what the panel will need to support this.

After the designing stage, the wiring may be temporarily roughed in, or they may simply begin running the various wires. This will also vary depending on the type of wiring system being used; because concealed conduit is the most common, it will also include drilling into walls and joists and inserting the various conduits that the wires will run through. This can be inside walls and ceilings, under stairs, or hidden inside of hollow ceiling beams.

After conduits are installed, the wires will be run through them and terminated at their various destinations. It’s here that the electrical boxes, switches, and rough in for the light fixtures will be placed, waiting for the finish work.

Finally, the lights, appliances, and fixtures themselves are hardwired in, and the finish materials and face plates installed.

If you’re looking to update the wiring in your home, keep in mind that it’s also a complex project—especially if you're tackling your whole house. Below are the steps you can expect your pro to run through when replacing a home or room's wiring:

Remove old wire

Sometimes, the electrician will need to access old wire through the attic, basement, or floor joists and pull out the wire. In some cases, they will need to open up or tear out walls to access the wires. It’s also possible to rewire a home without taking all the cables out, but in that case, the electrician will need to make sure that the old wire is completely disconnected from any electrical wire, or you might end up with a fire hazard in your home.

Install new wire

This can be as simple as pulling it through attics or basements or as hard as cutting holes in drywall and fishing wire through. If the electrician had to rip open a wall to get to the old wire, they will typically then put new wire into the hole, then rebuild the walls once the new wire is in place.

Add, move, or upgrade old switches and outlets

If necessary, the pro will cut holes in the wall to install new outlets and switches, swap old outlets and switches with new ones, then fix any holes left by old switches and outlets that were moved.

Install a new breaker box

A large rewiring project will almost always include an upgrade of your electrical system's service capacity to keep up with the energy demands of contemporary life and appliances. This means adding a new electrical panel, also called a breaker box, and more circuits.

Permits

Installing a light fixture won't require a permit, but, depending on your location, you will most likely need a permit for certain wiring or rewiring works, especially if you live in a multi-unit building. If you are unsure whether a permit is required for your project, consult your electrician directly on Discontract.

Light Fixture Installation or Replacement

Type of light fixture

The type of lighting fixtures will impact both installation costs and the price of the light itself.

You can get simple, low-end, ceiling lights or go full luxe with elaborate chandeliers that costs thousands. Pick a fixture that fills your lighting needs and will fit on the ceiling or wall. And be sure the fixture is rated for the electricity available to the spot you plan to install it.

Wall-mounted lights

Wall-mounted lights are similar to ceiling mounts, but the metal electric box is attached to a wall stud instead of the ceiling. Installation usually takes just a few hours.

Recessed lights

Also called can lights or pot lights, recessed lights are placed in the ceiling to provide targeted light in a room. Recessed lighting is a complex installation job because the electrician must cut the ceiling drywall around each inset can light, and then finish the edges of the cut when done. Installation takes about three hours.

Pendant lights

Pendant lights hang from ceiling mounts. This style is popular in kitchens, providing overhead light for eat-in counters, breakfast nooks, and kitchen islands. Pendant lights are lightweight and can be anchored into the ceiling with drywall screws. Installation takes one to three hours.

Fluorescent lights:

Fluorescent lights are about function, not aesthetics. Use them in garages, studios, offices, and workshops where you need bright light at a low cost. Depending on the electrical wiring available in the room, installation takes one to three hours.

Existing wiring

All light fixtures need wiring, junction boxes, and switches. If you're replacing one with a new light fixture that's the same style, you probably have the necessary wiring and power supply. If you're building new, or changing to a different type of fixture–say from a sconce to recessed lighting–the electrician will need to add wiring, a box, and a switch as well as cut into the drywall, adding to labor time and costs.

Age of home

Modern homes needs a lot more juice than older ones. If your home is more than 35 years old, your electrical wiring, panels, outlets and amperage may need to be updated before you can install that new chandelier that uses 1,000 watts of bulbs in the foyer. Upgrading your power will make your home safer as well as more convenient.

Ready to see your room in new light? Find a lighting electrician near you on Discontract.

Find a Wiring Pro Near You

In the age of video conferences, keep your rooms bright and your devices charged. Find and hire an electrical wiring pro near you today.