Recessed & Under-Cabinet Lighting in Seattle, WA
Recessed lighting installation in Seattle, along with under-cabinet and accent lighting, is one of the best ways to brighten an older home's kitchen or living room. We plan the layout, use the right housings for your ceiling, and put each layer on its own switch and dimmer.
County
King County
Permitting
Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI)
Utility
Seattle City Light
Many Seattle homes were built with a single ceiling light per room. Pre-WWII bungalows in Capitol Hill, Madrona, and Magnolia often have original knob-and-tube or ungrounded two-wire circuits, and mid-century ramblers in Beacon Hill and Rainier Valley usually have 100-amp panels with little room to spare. Adding recessed cans or under-cabinet LEDs is a great way to fix a dim kitchen, but in these houses it often means running new grounded circuits rather than tapping into whatever wiring is already in the ceiling.
Where your ceiling is insulated, we use IC-rated, airtight housings, and wet-rated housings over tubs and showers. We lay out spacing so the light is even, hide drivers and transformers, and convert old recessed cans to LED wafer lights where that makes sense. Under-cabinet, toe-kick, and cove lighting go on dimmable drivers, with task, accent, and ambient layers switched separately. When the job needs an electrical permit, we pull it through SDCI and schedule the inspection. If adding lighting reveals a full panel, we can discuss a service upgrade coordinated with Seattle City Light.
We start by walking the room with you to talk about how you use the space, where you want switches, and what's above the ceiling. You'll get a clear scope before we cut any holes, including whether a new circuit is needed, and every new circuit is labeled at the panel when we finish. Call All City Electric at (206) 533-6333 to set up a visit.
Recessed & Under-Cabinet Lighting in Seattle: Your Questions
Can you add recessed lighting to an older Seattle home?
Yes. In older Seattle homes we check the existing wiring first, because knob-and-tube or ungrounded circuits shouldn't be extended. We often run a new grounded circuit for recessed lights, using IC-rated, airtight housings wherever the ceiling is insulated.
Do I need a permit for recessed lighting in Seattle?
Electrical permits in Seattle are issued and inspected by the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI). If your lighting project requires one, we pull the permit and schedule the inspection as part of the job.
Can under-cabinet lights be on a dimmer?
Yes. We use dimmable LED drivers with compatible dimmers, and we switch under-cabinet, recessed, and accent lighting separately so you can control each layer on its own, whether you're cooking or just want soft light.
Can you replace my old recessed cans with LED?
Yes. Where appropriate, we convert aging recessed cans to LED wafer lights or retrofit trims on dimmable, code-compliant circuits. We'll check the existing housings and wiring to recommend the right approach.
REAL REVIEWS.
REAL RESULTS.
"I had an incredible experience getting service done from All City Electric. I wanted to have some outlets fixed as well as install a Level 2 Charger. They were easy to schedule a time for an estimate and also for the service. The electrician came right on time for both appointments and was very respectful and sweet. Every team member was very kind and sweet and accommodating. I would highly recommend them for any future service needs you have!"
Darya
Homeowner
"I called All City Electric when my laundry room and living room lights would not turn off. If you tried to turn them off they flicker. Then 5 of my outlets either didn't work or things would fall out of them. I finally got sick of it and reached out explaining my situation. The gal that answered my call was very sweet and kind. Even when I called back the next day saying I forgot to write it down and wanted to confirm my appointment day and time. We had a good laugh. She made my day! Today, Kevin showed up on time and confirmed the problem and got to work right away. He was pleasant and kind during the entire process. He answered all my questions. Thank you to the entire staff and owner of All City Electric!! You will forever have my business. Please call if you have any issues. They are absolutely the best to work with!! Thank you again!!"
Jeni
Homeowner
"Very professional and friendly staff!"
Jade
Homeowner
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