How Much Does It Cost to Install Recessed Lighting in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Installing recessed lighting is a great way to brighten up your home and add a modern touch to any room. On average, homeowners spend $180 per fixture, including materials and installation, with most costs ranging from $100 to $300 per light. Factors like your location, the size and quality of the fixtures, and the complexity of the installation affect the overall cost. By understanding these factors and hiring a professional electrician, you can ensure a safe and high-quality installation.

Recessed Lighting Installation Cost Factors

Several factors affect the cost of installing recessed lighting, including the type of light, wiring complexity, labor rates, and your home's layout. Understanding these factors can help you plan your budget effectively.

Type of Light

There are three main types of recessed lighting to consider: canless LEDs, recessed LED retrofits, and traditional can lights. If you're replacing older fixtures, traditional can lights might be a cost-effective option since you only need to purchase the new fixtures—the existing wiring is already in place. For new constructions or remodels, you might opt for canless LEDs or recessed LED retrofits to achieve a sleek, modern look.

Wiring

From a design perspective, recessed lighting fixtures are mounted in the ceiling rather than hung as a chandelier would. For this reason, a professional electrician will need to access the attic or the second floor to complete this job properly.

Running wire through the attic is simpler than on a second floor because there’s no flooring getting in the way. It’s a relatively open area with a lot of room to work with the wiring. Prepare for a significant increase in labor costs if you’re installing wire on the ground floor of a two-story home.

Labor

The cost to hire an electrician will run you an average of $50 to $130 per hour, with each fixture taking around two and a half hours to complete for existing construction. If you’re installing recessed lighting all on the same circuit, you’ll save a significant amount of time. Installing recessed lighting in multiple parts of the home will incur much higher labor fees due to the time it takes to run wiring to different parts of the home.

Home Obstacles

As with any home upgrade, you should budget for obstacles and setbacks if you’re installing new recessed lights in an existing home. Items such as joists, heating ducts, or other wiring may increase installation costs by upwards of $200 or more per light.

Existing Home vs. New Construction

An existing home will contain air ducts, drywall, and wires. Working around these items requires increased labor, and material costs will rise as more wiring is needed to overcome the obstacles.

You’ll benefit from open walls with minimal wiring obstacles in a new construction home. This usually makes installation easier compared to an existing home—you’re likely to save upwards of five hours of work installing recessed lighting in new construction homes. With these added savings, you may consider splurging on different trims or finishes if your budget allows.

Permits

If you're planning to install new recessed lighting, you'll likely need a permit since it involves altering your home's wiring. Permit requirements vary by location, so it's a good idea to contact your local building inspection office to find out the specific process and costs. Obtaining a building permit for electrical projects usually costs between $50 and $500, depending on your city and the scope of the project.

Trim Type

The trim is the most eye-catching aspect of recessed lighting, as it's the part you can see. Trims extend beyond the light's edge to cover the hole’s edge and seamlessly blend in with the ceiling. Available in various patterns and finishes, the right trim can add an extra layer of decor.

Finish Type

Once you’ve selected your trim, you can further customize your recessed lighting by choosing a finish. The standard color for recessed lighting finishes is white, as it blends well with ceilings, but there is a variety of other finishes to choose from.

Cost to Install Recessed Lighting by Type

Choosing the right type of recessed lighting depends on your home. In new constructions, canless recessed integrated LED lights are a popular choice. If you have an existing home, you might opt to replace old can lights with updated versions or retrofit recessed LEDs into the existing openings.

Recessed lights come in various styles and sizes: 4-, 5-, and 6-inch diameters. You'll also need to decide if you need a high-hat fixture, which protects the recessed lighting from objects falling on it and reduces fire risk in the attic. High-hats come as insulation contact (IC) or non-insulation contact (non-IC). If your ceiling has insulation or you plan to add insulation, it's best to choose an IC-rated can to prevent heat transfer that could damage insulation materials.

Canless LEDs

Canless LED lights cost $15 to $30 per fixture, or $200 to $300 per fixture including installation and wiring. New canless LED lights are equipped with highly desirable features such as LED lights that produce less heat than traditional incandescent lights and options for smart home lights. With smart home lights, you can dim the light, change colors, or turn them on and off remotely.

DIY vs. Hiring a Lighting Professional

Thinking about installing recessed lighting yourself? You could save on labor costs, but keep in mind that this project involves electrical work, cutting into ceilings, and complying with local building codes. If you're not familiar with electrical systems, hiring a professional electrician is a safer choice. Pros have the expertise to handle wiring safely, obtain the necessary permits, and complete the job efficiently, saving you time and avoiding potential costly mistakes.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.