How much does it cost to install recessed pot lights throughout my New Brunswick home?

Cost to Install Recessed Pot Lights Throughout a New Brunswick Home

Recessed pot lights (also called can lights or downlights) are the most popular lighting upgrade in New Brunswick homes. They provide clean, modern illumination without bulky fixtures hanging from the ceiling — particularly appealing in homes with standard 8-foot ceilings where pendant lights and chandeliers can feel cramped. Here's what it actually costs in the New Brunswick market.

Per-Light Cost Breakdown

Materials per light:

• LED recessed light fixture (new construction or retrofit): $15-$60 each


• Wire and connectors: $5-$15 per light


• Junction box and fittings: $3-$8 per light


• Dimmer switch (per circuit, 1 per room): $25-$50


• Materials subtotal: $48-$133 per light

Labour per light:

• New construction (open ceiling): $50-$100 per light


• Retrofit (existing finished ceiling): $100-$200 per light


• Adding a new circuit from panel: $200-$400 per circuit (shared across multiple lights)


• Labour subtotal: $50-$200 per light

Total per light installed:

• New construction: $100-$175 per light


• Retrofit (finished ceiling): $150-$300 per light

Whole-Home Cost Estimates

For a typical New Brunswick home, here's how many pot lights each room needs and what it costs:

3-Bedroom Bungalow (1,200 sq ft):

| Room | Number of Lights | Retrofit Cost |
|------|-----------------|---------------|
| Kitchen (10x12) | 6 | $1,200-$1,800 |
| Living room (12x14) | 6-8 | $1,200-$2,000 |
| Master bedroom | 4 | $600-$1,000 |
| Bedroom 2 | 4 | $600-$1,000 |
| Bedroom 3 | 4 | $600-$1,000 |
| Bathroom | 2-3 | $400-$750 |
| Hallway | 3-4 | $500-$800 |
| Total: 29-35 lights | | $5,100-$8,350 |

4-Bedroom Two-Storey (2,000 sq ft):

| Room | Number of Lights | Retrofit Cost |
|------|-----------------|---------------|
| Kitchen (12x14) | 8 | $1,500-$2,400 |
| Living room (14x16) | 8-10 | $1,500-$2,500 |
| Dining room | 4-6 | $700-$1,500 |
| Master bedroom + ensuite | 6 | $1,000-$1,500 |
| Bedrooms 2-4 (3 rooms) | 12 | $1,800-$3,000 |
| Main bathroom | 3 | $500-$750 |
| Hallways (2 floors) | 6-8 | $1,000-$1,600 |
| Basement rec room | 6-8 | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Total: 53-67 lights | | $9,000-$15,250 |

What Affects the Price

Ceiling type is the biggest cost driver:

• Open ceiling (new construction or renovation with ceiling removed): Cheapest — electrician has full access to joists, can position lights optimally, and wiring is straightforward. $100-$175 per light.
• Drywall ceiling with accessible attic above: Moderate — electrician cuts holes from below and runs wire through the attic. $150-$225 per light.
• Drywall ceiling with floor above (between floors): Most expensive — wire must be fished through closed joist bays. Requires multiple ceiling openings that need patching. $200-$300 per light.
• Plaster ceiling (common in pre-1960 NB homes): Add 20-30% to the drywall prices. Plaster is harder to cut, more prone to cracking, and patch repair is more expensive than drywall.

Number of new circuits needed: Each 15-amp circuit supports approximately 12-15 LED pot lights (at 10-15 watts each, well under the 1,440W continuous load limit). If your panel has available spaces, adding circuits is straightforward. If the panel is full, a sub-panel or tandem breakers add $200-$600.

Insulation contact rating: In New Brunswick's climate, ceilings below an attic have thick insulation. Pot lights installed in insulated ceilings must be IC-rated (Insulation Contact) to prevent fire. IC-rated LED fixtures cost $5-$15 more than non-IC models but are mandatory. Non-IC fixtures require a 75mm (3 inch) clearance from insulation on all sides, which creates cold spots and energy loss — avoid these.

Fixture quality:

• Builder-grade LED fixtures ($15-$25 each): Adequate light output, limited dimming range, may buzz slightly on dimmers, 3-5 year warranty. Fine for bedrooms and closets.


• Mid-range LED fixtures ($30-$50 each): Better colour rendering (90+ CRI), smooth dimming to 5-10%, quieter operation, 5-10 year warranty. Best value for most rooms.


• Premium LED fixtures ($50-$100+ each): Superior colour rendering (95+ CRI), dim to 1%, selectable colour temperature (2700K-5000K), smart-home compatible, 10+ year warranty. Worth it for kitchens and living rooms where light quality matters.

Sizing and Spacing Guidelines

Common sizes:

• 4-inch: Best for hallways, bathrooms, accent lighting, and lower ceilings (7-8 feet). Provides focused light with less glare.


• 6-inch: The standard for most rooms — kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms. Provides broader, more even illumination. Most popular in New Brunswick homes.

Spacing formula: Place lights at a distance equal to half the ceiling height apart. For an 8-foot ceiling: lights every 4 feet. For a 9-foot ceiling: every 4.5 feet. Keep lights at least 2-3 feet from walls to avoid harsh wall-wash shadows.

Colour Temperature Selection

• 2700K (warm white): Bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms — cozy, relaxed atmosphere
• 3000K (soft white): Kitchen, bathroom, home office — the most versatile choice and the most popular in New Brunswick installations
• 3500K (neutral white): Task areas, laundry rooms, workshops — bright and functional
• 4000K+ (cool white/daylight): Garages, utility rooms only — too harsh for living spaces

Tip: Pick one colour temperature for the entire main floor to maintain visual consistency as you move between rooms. Many homeowners in New Brunswick choose 3000K as a whole-home standard.

TSANB Permit Required

Installing recessed pot lights requires an electrical permit in New Brunswick. The permit costs $50-$100 and covers the TSANB inspection to verify:

• Proper IC rating for insulated ceilings


• Correct circuit sizing and breaker protection


• AFCI protection on bedroom circuits (CEC 2018+)


• Appropriate fixture spacing and placement


• Proper junction box and wiring connections

Save Money: Do It Room by Room

If a whole-home installation exceeds your budget, many New Brunswick electricians offer room-by-room pricing. Start with the kitchen and main living area (the highest-impact rooms), then add bedrooms and secondary spaces over time. You'll pay slightly more total due to multiple service calls, but it spreads the cost across several months. Ask if your electrician offers a multi-visit discount.

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