ᐅ New Construction Lighting: Spotlights and Electrical Preparation for Ceiling Fixtures?
Created on: 15 Aug 2017 11:32
R
R.Hotzenplotz
Hello,
we visited a model home park on Sunday. We noticed that almost all the houses had recessed ceiling spotlights installed throughout most of the house. Traditional ceiling fixtures for standalone lamps were hardly seen.
Is it now standard practice to plan integrated lighting throughout the entire house? Would you recommend designing the whole house with recessed spotlights from start to finish, top to bottom?
We are not opposed to the idea, but would like to hear about the advantages and disadvantages to weigh up the options. What have your experiences been in this regard?
we visited a model home park on Sunday. We noticed that almost all the houses had recessed ceiling spotlights installed throughout most of the house. Traditional ceiling fixtures for standalone lamps were hardly seen.
Is it now standard practice to plan integrated lighting throughout the entire house? Would you recommend designing the whole house with recessed spotlights from start to finish, top to bottom?
We are not opposed to the idea, but would like to hear about the advantages and disadvantages to weigh up the options. What have your experiences been in this regard?
I also liked spotlights. Then we had a lighting store with good references prepare an offer for us.
Conclusion: standard ceiling outlets everywhere, centered. It’s better to use good dimmable lamps there, which can possibly be adjusted to different color temperatures, and to add accents with floor lamps and table lamps. This can be changed later as well and even relocated with flexible pendants and cable conduits.
Spotlights cannot be changed afterwards.
I preferred to invest the money in centralized wiring so that I can control outlets with lamps.
Conclusion: standard ceiling outlets everywhere, centered. It’s better to use good dimmable lamps there, which can possibly be adjusted to different color temperatures, and to add accents with floor lamps and table lamps. This can be changed later as well and even relocated with flexible pendants and cable conduits.
Spotlights cannot be changed afterwards.
I preferred to invest the money in centralized wiring so that I can control outlets with lamps.
R
readytorumble15 Aug 2017 14:48- About 5 euros for the box embedded in cast-in-place concrete
- About 5 euros per spotlight/fixture including a 3W bulb (prices can range from 2 euros up to easily 30 euros each)
- In some rooms, we bought 5W bulbs for about 3 euros each
Cabling costs will, of course, be additional.
These are the raw material costs.
However, I also understand why these components are so expensive when installed by general contractors. It is quite labor-intensive. There is also hidden effort involved, for example when plastering the cast-in-place concrete ceiling (covering the boxes, then having to find and carefully expose/cut/tap them later, etc.).
R
R.Hotzenplotz15 Aug 2017 17:41In our case, we are building with a general contractor (GC) and generally want to have the planning completed before receiving a fixed-price offer. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense. The architect is also the GC, who is contracted according to HOAI.
What would be the most sensible approach here? Should we ask who is responsible for the electrical work and arrange a meeting with them?
What would be the most sensible approach here? Should we ask who is responsible for the electrical work and arrange a meeting with them?
W
winnetou7815 Aug 2017 17:49I think it's important to clarify things beforehand, although it’s not absolutely necessary that everything is planned in detail from the start. What matters to me is knowing in advance what the extra cost is for each specific item.
In the additional agreements to the construction contract, I had it explicitly stated what the surcharge is for each socket, switch, etc., that is not covered by the scope of work description.
That way, there are no unpleasant surprises later on.
In the additional agreements to the construction contract, I had it explicitly stated what the surcharge is for each socket, switch, etc., that is not covered by the scope of work description.
That way, there are no unpleasant surprises later on.
R
R.Hotzenplotz15 Aug 2017 18:10winnetou78 schrieb:
I have already had the additional costs per socket, switch, etc., that are not covered by the construction specification, clearly documented in the supplementary agreements to the building contract.
That way, there are no unpleasant surprises afterward.That is very wise. For which other items in a single-family house project would such a supplementary agreement be advisable to avoid unexpectedly high costs later on?
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winnetou7815 Aug 2017 18:14You have to decide that individually.
I read through our construction specifications and tried to negotiate everything I wanted to have more of.
That went well.
And then, for the items that were included but not sufficient, I had the prices confirmed, for example, electrical outlets, light fittings, switches, LED spotlights, snow guards, glass in the doors.
I read through our construction specifications and tried to negotiate everything I wanted to have more of.
That went well.
And then, for the items that were included but not sufficient, I had the prices confirmed, for example, electrical outlets, light fittings, switches, LED spotlights, snow guards, glass in the doors.
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