Ceiling fans are a great way to add comfort and character to any room in your home. They provide air circulation and movement in otherwise stuffy and stagnant rooms, but that’s not all. Ceiling fans have come a long way in terms of style and luxury, and you can make your ceiling fan the centerpiece of a living room or dining room.
If you need a ceiling fan installed, a certified electrician can and is licensed to do the task. While they may charge a hefty fee depending on the difficulty and amount of time needed, electricians will get it done for you. Another option is to hire a local handyperson with electrical work experience.
In this article, we’ll look at the types of ceiling fans available, who can install them for you, and what to expect during the process.
Do Electricians Install Ceiling Fans?
An electrician should be the first person you call if you need a ceiling fan installed, as long as they’re certified and insured. To install a ceiling fan, they will need to stand on a ladder, work with the electrical system, and possibly venture into an attic. There’s a risk of injury to these tasks, so you want to hire someone who knows what they’re doing.
What Happens if Your Electrician Doesn’t Have Insurance
Using an electrician that doesn’t have insurance could result in a world of pain for you and your family. If they get hurt while installing your ceiling fan, whether it’s electric shock or an injury from falling off a ladder, they can sue you for damages. It doesn’t matter if you had nothing to do with the accident. You’re liable for any medical bills and lost income.
If any damage occurs to your house or the ceiling fan you bought for the electrician to install, you’ll be responsible for paying for the repairs. Installing a ceiling fan in an existing house will mean the possibility of cutting into your ceiling or walls to mount the fan and run electrical wiring. If damage occurs outside of the scope of your electrician’s working area, you will be responsible for paying for repairs.
It’s not unheard of for an electrician to accidentally drop or damage a ceiling fan while they’re installing it. If this happens and you can’t return your fan under warranty for a free replacement, you will have to pay for repairs or a new one.
If your electrician is honest and trustworthy, then this will not be an issue. They will fix any issues pr damage they cause and will not sue you simply because they messed up and got hurt. However, depending on who you hire, this will not be the case, and they will be looking for free money at your expense.
How Much Should an Electrician Charge to Install a Ceiling Fan?
There are many factors to consider when figuring out how much a ceiling fan install will cost, but it will usually run anywhere from $75 to $350. This figure does not account for the cost of the fan itself but only new material, labor, and degree of difficulty. Not all electricians charge the same hourly wage, but you can expect to pay $75 to $125 per hour.
The cheapest scenario for a ceiling fan installation is when the electrician can install your ceiling fan into an existing electrical box with existing wiring. Anytime an electrician has to run a new wire or install a new box, this will increase the project’s cost.
Type of Ceiling Fan You’re Installing.
There are many different types of ceiling fans that come at a vast array of costs. A basic, low-profile fan without remote control or any fancy lighting features can cost as little as $30. A large, flashy ceiling fan with an extended downrod and luxurious lighting features can cost upwards of $500.
To calculate the final cost of your ceiling fan install, add up the cost of the fan and any of the extra charges mentioned above. The electrician you hire will do the same thing when he gives you a quote, minus the cost of the fan if you’ve already purchased it.
Additional Costs When Installing a Ceiling Fan
Here is a list of additional costs you should consider when hiring someone to install a ceiling fan in your home.
1. The Cost of the Electrical Wire
The current cost of 12’2 electrical wire, commonly the size required for a ceiling fan, is around $1.50 per foot. If you need an additional 50′ of wire for your ceiling fan, that could mean at least a $75 increase in your installation cost.
2. The Cost of a New Electrical Box
Ceiling fans require electrical boxes capable of handling at least 35 pounds, which costs slightly more than typical electrical boxes. You can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $30 for a ceiling fan electrical box.
3. The Labor to Install the Box and Run the Wire
After personally installing dozens of ceiling fans, there’s no fast way to run an electrical wire in a finished house. If the ceiling and walls have drywall, getting an electrical wire where you need it could take an extra hour or two. It could also take 30 to 60 minutes to install the electrical box into a finished ceiling. This is all extra labor that you must factor into your installation costs.
4. The Additional Time to Get Into the Attic if Required
Locating the attic access, setting up a ladder, and getting lighting into the attic will take extra time, and time isn’t free. This task may only take 15 to 20 minutes, but that’s more money out of your pocket that you need to prepare for.
5. You May Need a Remote Control for Your Fan
Unless you want to rely on a wall switch to control the speed and lighting of your ceiling fan, you will need a remote control. Remote controls will allow you to manage your fan better, but it comes at an extra cost of $50 to $100, depending on the type of control you purchase.
6. The Cost of an Assistant if the Fan is Too Large for One Person to Handle
Ceiling fans come in various sizes, some of which can weigh well over 100 pounds. When this is the case, your electrician will need the assistance of an extra helper, which will double the labor cost to you.
How To Save Money on a Ceiling Fan Install?
If you hire an electrician to install your ceiling fan, there aren’t many ways to save money, but there are ways, nonetheless. For instance, if your ceiling fan is too big for one person to handle, you can offer to be the second person to assist in the heavy lifting. Your electrician might say no, but you can at least try.
The second way to save money is by not including all the bells and whistles with your ceiling fan. Remote controls and fancy downrods are excellent commodities, but you can also eliminate them if you’re in a tight spot.
Can a Handyman Install a Ceiling Fan?
A handyperson experienced in working with electricity and electrical fixtures can install a ceiling fan. However, not all handymen can handle the task depending on the difficulty of the job. In cases where running additional wiring or cutting into drywall is needed, their skills might not be sufficient.
If a handyperson starts the job but causes damage that he cannot repair, it is up to you as the homeowner to fix it yourself or hire another handyman. However, if your handyman is insured, this will not be an issue.
How Much Does a Handyman Charge to Install a Ceiling Fan?
A handyman typically doesn’t charge quite as much to install a ceiling fan as an electrician does. The cost of materials and parts is the same, but the labor is sometimes cheaper. While an electrician charges $75 to $120 per hour on average, a handyperson will only charge $50 to $80 or less.
You can find an even more affordable handyperson near you by going through online services such as TaskRabbit or Shiftgig. Be cautious when using these services, though, as the money saved isn’t always worth the trouble. Because these sites don’t require their handymen to have insurance or a license, you don’t always know what you’re getting into.
How to Install a Ceiling Fan
If you want to save money, you also have the option of installing the ceiling fan yourself. It’s not a good idea to install a ceiling fan yourself if you have no experience working with electricity or electrical devices. However, the risk of shock or other injury is an ever-present threat.
If you want to attempt the job yourself, here is how to install a ceiling fan into an existing electrical box.
- Turn off the electrical power to the whole house to ensure there is no risk of shock.
- Remove the light or existing fan from the box where you wish to install the new fan.
- Safely set aside the old fixture, careful not to break any glass, increasing the risk of injury.
- Unpack the new fan and check the specifications to determine the weight of the fan.
- Your existing electrical box should have the maximum weight it can support. Check that number and determine if the current box is strong enough to support the new fan. You’ll have to install a new box if it isn’t.
- Installing a new box can be done by removing the old box and installing one in its place, capable of supporting the weight of the ceiling fan.
- Unpack your ceiling fan and the accompanying instructions and follow them closely to install your new fan.
- If it’s your first time installing a ceiling fan, it could take 2-4 hours or even longer. Don’t get frustrated. As long as you follow directions and take your time, you will have a working ceiling fan in no time.
- If you have a decorative ceiling, like a coffered ceiling, you may have additional costs related to the working height or electrical upgrades.
While installing a ceiling fan yourself is possible, it’s not a good idea if you have no electrical experience. Call an electrician or a handyperson near you to ensure the best and safest results with your fan.
Who to Call to Install My Ceiling Fan
Now that you know the cost and process involved with installing a ceiling fan, you’ve probably decided to hire the job out to someone more qualified. If that’s the case, then here is how to find the best electrician or handyman near you.
Someone You Have Previous Experience With
The easiest and safest way to hire an electrician or handyman is to hire someone you’ve worked with before. This ensures that you know what you’re getting into, and you should have a certain level of comfort working with someone you already know and trust.
Check Online Reviews and Ask Around
Perhaps you’re new to the area or simply haven’t had to deal with construction before. If that’s the case, then Google reviews and word of mouth are the best way to find a reliable installer. Electricians and handypersons who have done previous work in the area will likely have a reputation of some sort that you can check.
Use a Service Provider or Handyman App
Be careful with these apps, however, as they don’t screen the handymen on their app. You might hit the jackpot and find a reliable and cheap handyperson, but you might also get a bad one.
Contact a Local Contractor and Ask Who They Recommend
Construction contractors will usually have a specific electrical company that they work with. By asking one of these contractors who they use for their work, you’ll almost always find a solid electrition that does good work.
Have the Company You Purchased the Fan From Do the Install
If you bought your fan from a store like Lowes or Home Depot, they often offer to install the fan themselves. If you purchased your fan from local hardware or electrical store, they might provide the same services, but it isn’t guaranteed.
Final Thoughts
Ceiling fans are a great commodity and addition to any part of your house and can quickly add value and comfort to it. Whether you decide to take the task on yourself or hire someone else is up to you, but proceed with caution either way. Electricians and handypeople are both qualified and capable of installing your ceiling fan, but making a wise hire is crucial to success.
If you hire an electrician or handyman, ensure that they are insured and have the proper certification to install your ceiling fan according to your local building code. If you ever hope to resell your house, you will most likely need an inspection, and an improperly installed ceiling fan is bound to raise some red flags. A licensed electrician will know the correct way to install a ceiling fan.
