Interior & exterior lighting

Interior lighting

We install and replace lighting in kitchens, bedrooms, hallways, stairways, closets, basements, laundry rooms, and attached garages. That includes ceiling and wall fixtures, under-cabinet lights, switches, dimmers, occupancy sensors, and three-way or four-way switching so you can control a light from more than one place.

Some rooms have specific code rules. Interior stairways need a wall switch at each floor level. In clothes closets, open or partially enclosed incandescent fixtures and pendant fixtures are not permitted, and recessed fixtures need clearance from the storage space. We choose fixtures and locations that meet these rules.

If you are replacing older fixtures, LED is the efficient choice. The U.S. Department of Energy says residential LEDs, especially ENERGY STAR rated products, use at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.

Exterior lighting

Outdoor lighting helps you see steps, doors, and driveways after dark. We install porch and entry lights, garage and soffit lights, flood lights, post lights, path lights, and motion-sensor and dusk-to-dawn controls. For new work, the code calls for at least one switched lighting outlet at exterior doors with access to grade.

Outdoor fixtures must be suitable for damp or wet locations, depending on how exposed they are. Outdoor receptacles need GFCI protection and weather-resistant devices with extra-duty weatherproof covers. When we run power to a post light or a detached garage, we bury the wiring at the depth the code requires for the wiring method used.

We also replace outdoor fixtures that are cracked, rusted, or loose. Before we install the new fixture, we check the box and connections behind it for water damage and corrosion. If a GFCI keeps tripping during rain, we inspect outdoor boxes and fixtures for water.

Permits, inspection, and safety

Minnesota law requires electrical work to be done by a licensed electrician working for a licensed contractor. The exception is narrow: a homeowner may personally do electrical work on a home they own and live in, if it has its own electric service not shared with another dwelling. New electrical installations, including replacement and repair work, must be inspected, except minor repair work as defined by rule. We file the permit and schedule the inspection with the state or your city, whichever has authority at your address.

Do not add circuits or run new outdoor wiring yourself. Turn off the circuit and call right away if a fixture or switch feels hot, you smell burning, you see sparks, or a fixture fills with water. For urgent problems, use our 24/7 emergency electrical service.

Schedule lighting work

Call 651-488-5555 or request service online. A licensed electrician looks at the fixtures, switches, and circuits involved and explains the work before it starts. We install, test each light and control, and clean up. For ceiling can lights, see our recessed lighting installation page.

Signs you need new lighting

• Your entry doors, steps, or driveway are dark at night
• A stairway has no switch at the top or bottom
• A closet or basement is lit by a bare bulb
• An outdoor fixture is rusted, cracked, or collects water
• Lights flicker or a switch feels warm
• A detached garage or shed has no power for lights

Common questions

Sources

• City of Saint Paul DSI — Electrical checklist, dwelling unit rough-in (2023 NEC 210.70)
• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Electrical inspection checklist (closets, wet/damp luminaires, outdoor receptacles, burial depth)
• U.S. Department of Energy — LED Lighting
• Minnesota Statutes 326B.33 — Electrical licenses
• Minnesota Statutes 326B.36 — Electrical inspections
• Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry — Electrical permits for homeowners
• UL — 8 signs you may have a problem with your electrical wiring