Handyman
Ceiling fan and light fixture install
Replacing a fan that already hangs on a fan-rated box, on the same switch, is a common small job. Adding a box where there is only a blank ceiling, or fixing a wobble because the box was never rated, is electrical work for a licensed electrician.
We connect Nashville homeowners with independent, vetted local pros.
Typical estimates
| Job | Typical estimate | What the range assumes |
|---|---|---|
| Replace a light on an existing box | $100–$200 | Labor. The fixture is usually yours. |
| Replace a fan on a fan-rated box | $150–$300 | Includes balancing an ordinary fan. |
| No box, or a new circuit | Licensed electrician | Not a handyman special. |
What’s included
- Replacement of an existing fan or light on a box that is already there and appropriate
- Connection to the existing switch and wires
- A stop if the box is cracked, ungrounded in a way they will not accept, or not fan-rated
What this is not
- New circuits, new switches where none exist, or running cable through a finished house
- Repairing a fixture you already damaged
- Smart-switch rewiring that needs a neutral the box does not have
Around Nashville
1960s and 1970s ranches in Donelson, Hermitage, and Bellevue sometimes still have boxes that were fine for a light and are wrong for a fan. The pro should test that before the new fan goes up.
Newer Mt. Juliet and Spring Hill houses usually already have a fan box in the main bedroom. Those are the straightforward swaps.
What changes the price
What is already in the ceiling
The box decides whether this is a small job.
Ceiling height
Two-story foyers need more than a step ladder.
Fixture weight
Heavy decorative fans belong on a box listed for them.
How to choose a pro
- Say if a fan is already installed or if there is only a light.
- Ask what they do if the box is not fan-rated. The right answer is to stop.
- Do not hire anyone who offers to skip a permit by calling new wiring a fixture swap.
Questions
Why does my fan wobble?
Sometimes the blades need balancing. Sometimes the box is loose or not rated. The second one is not solved with a heavier decorative kit.
Can you add a fan where a light is?
Only if the box is fan-rated and supported. If it is a plastic light box, the work stops being a simple swap.
Do you install the fan I bought?
Usually yes. Confirm the quote is labor on your fixture, and that the downrod length fits the ceiling.