Need new lights put in, old fixtures swapped, or recessed LEDs added to a dark room? Electrician Federal Way connects you with a licensed local electrician who can plan the layout, run the wiring, install the fixtures and dimmers, and handle the City of Federal Way permit when one is needed. Call (253) 555-0100 and tell us what room you are working on.
Good lighting is more than a new fixture. It is the right amount of light (lumens), the right color (color temperature), controls that work with LED bulbs, and wiring that is safe inside an older ceiling. This page walks through each of those so you know what to ask for before the electrician arrives.
Lighting Work a Licensed Electrician Handles
Recessed LED lighting
Can lights or slim wafer LEDs added to living rooms, kitchens, basements and hallways. Includes layout, cutting, wiring and the switch or dimmer.
Fixture replacement
Swapping an old dome light, chandelier, pendant or flush mount for a new one, including a properly rated box for heavy fixtures.
New lights where none exist
Adding a ceiling light to a bedroom that only has a switched outlet, or adding a fixture over a table or stairway.
Dimmers and switches
LED compatible dimmers, 3-way and 4-way switching for stairs and long halls, and occupancy or vacancy sensors for closets and laundry rooms.
Smart lighting controls
Smart switches and dimmers that need a neutral wire, plus scenes and schedules. See our smart home installation page.
Flicker and buzzing fixes
Tracing loose connections, bad switches, overloaded circuits and dimmer mismatches that make LEDs flicker, hum or fail early.
Recessed and LED Lighting: What to Decide First
Recessed lighting is the most common request we get for lighting installation in Federal Way. Many homes here were built between the 1960s and 1990s with a single center fixture per room, so adding 4 to 8 recessed LEDs can change how a room feels. A few choices shape the whole job.
Can lights or canless wafer LEDs
Traditional housings (cans) hold a separate LED trim or bulb. Canless wafer lights are thin integrated LED panels with a small junction box, so they fit tight ceilings and are faster to install in finished rooms. Your electrician will check the joist direction, depth and what is above the ceiling before recommending one.
Insulated ceilings need the right rating
If a light sits under an attic with insulation, it must be rated for insulation contact (IC rated). Airtight (AT) models also help keep warm, damp indoor air out of the attic, which matters in our marine climate. Non-IC cans buried in insulation are a real fire risk and a common finding in older homes.
Spacing and placement
A common starting point is spacing lights about half the ceiling height apart, then keeping them roughly 2 to 3 feet from walls. Wall washing, artwork and task areas change that. Ask your electrician to mark the layout on the ceiling before cutting so you can see it.
Lumens and Color Temperature Made Simple
Watts no longer tell you how bright a bulb is. With LEDs, look at lumens for brightness and kelvin (K) for color. A higher CRI (color rendering index), 90 or above, makes skin tones, food and paint colors look natural.
| Room | Typical color temperature | Brightness guide | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | 2700K to 3000K | Moderate, layered | Dimmers let one room work for movies and cleaning. |
| Bedroom | 2700K | Low to moderate | Warm light at night, bedside lamps for reading. |
| Kitchen | 3000K to 3500K | High at counters | Add under cabinet task light. See kitchen and bathroom lighting. |
| Bathroom | 3000K to 3500K | High at mirror | Light the face from the sides or above the mirror. |
| Garage and shop | 4000K to 5000K | High, even | LED shop fixtures cut shadows at the workbench. |
| Hallways and stairs | 2700K to 3000K | Low to moderate | 3-way switching at each end, step lights for night. |
Tip: pick one color temperature per open area. Mixing 2700K and 5000K fixtures in the same room is the most common reason a new lighting job “looks off.”
Dimmers and LED Compatibility
Many flicker complaints come from an old dimmer paired with new LEDs. Older incandescent dimmers were built for high wattage loads, and a room full of LEDs may draw too little power for them to work smoothly.
- Use a dimmer listed as LED compatible, and check the fixture maker’s compatibility list.
- Match the dimming type. Most household LEDs use forward phase (TRIAC) or reverse phase (ELV) dimming.
- Stay within the dimmer’s minimum and maximum load.
- Many smart dimmers need a neutral wire in the switch box. Some older boxes do not have one.
- Look for a low-end trim adjustment to stop flicker at the bottom of the range.
Signs Your Lighting Needs an Electrician
- Lights flicker or dim when appliances start
- Fixtures or switch plates feel warm
- Bulbs burn out far sooner than rated
- Buzzing from a dimmer or fixture
- Scorch marks or a burning smell near a light
- Old cloth insulated or brittle wiring at the fixture box
Warm switches, scorch marks or a burning smell mean turn the circuit off at the breaker and call. Those point to a loose or overheated connection, which is covered on our electrical repair page.
How a Lighting Installation Usually Goes
Tell us the project
Call (253) 555-0100 or use the form. Share the room, number of lights, ceiling type, and whether there is attic access above. Photos help.
Site visit and layout
Your electrician checks the existing circuit, the switch boxes, joists and insulation, then proposes fixture locations and a switching plan.
Permit if required
Inside city limits, electrical permits and inspections go through the City of Federal Way Permit Center, not L&I. New circuits and added lighting commonly need one. Your electrician will confirm what your job needs.
Wiring and install
Holes are cut cleanly, cable is fished through, boxes and fixtures are mounted, and dimmers or smart switches are set up.
Test and walk-through
Every light is tested across the full dim range, and you are shown how the controls and scenes work.
Planning new lights?
Tell us the room and what you want to change. We will connect you with a licensed local electrician in Federal Way.
What Affects the Cost of Lighting Installation
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Number of fixtures | More lights mean more cutting, wiring and connections. |
| Attic access | Open attic above makes wiring faster. Finished ceilings between floors take more fishing and patching. |
| Existing wiring | A new circuit, an overloaded circuit, or no neutral in the switch box adds work. |
| Fixture type | Heavy chandeliers need a rated box and extra support. High ceilings need lifts or tall ladders. |
| Controls | Multi-location switching, smart dimmers and sensors add parts and labor. |
| Permit and inspection | Permit fees and inspection scheduling are part of many jobs. |
| Drywall repair | Patching and painting are often separate from electrical work. Ask what is included. |
Safety, Licensing and Permits in Federal Way
Washington requires electrical contractors to be licensed and electricians to be certified through the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). State electrical rules are in WAC 296-46B, which adopts the National Electrical Code with Washington amendments. You can look up any contractor’s license on the L&I website before work begins.
Federal Way runs its own electrical permitting and inspections through the City of Federal Way Building Division (253-835-2607). Simpler electrical permits can often be applied for online through MyBuildingPermit. If a job adds circuits or finishes a basement, ask your electrician to confirm the permit is pulled so the work gets inspected.
Electrician Federal Way serves homes across 98003, 98023 and part of 98001, including Twin Lakes, Steel Lake, Lakeland, Redondo, Dash Point, Mirror Lake and Camelot. If your lighting project turns out to need more capacity, see wiring and upgrades or panel replacement. For outdoor fixtures, see landscape lighting, and browse all options on the lighting services hub.
Lighting Installation FAQs
Can I replace a light fixture myself?
Washington law lets homeowners do some electrical work on their own home with a permit, but many people prefer a licensed electrician, especially for heavy fixtures, new locations or older wiring. If you see brittle wires, aluminum wiring or no ground in the box, stop and call.
How many recessed lights do I need for a room?
It depends on ceiling height, room size and the lumens of each fixture. A common starting point is spacing lights about half the ceiling height apart. Your electrician can lay out a plan that avoids dark corners and glare.
Why do my new LED lights flicker?
The most common causes are an old dimmer that is not LED compatible, a load below the dimmer’s minimum, mixed LED brands on one dimmer, or a loose connection. Replacing the dimmer with a matched LED model fixes most cases.
What color temperature should I choose?
2700K is warm and cozy for bedrooms and living rooms. 3000K to 3500K works well in kitchens and baths. 4000K to 5000K suits garages and work areas. Keep one color temperature per open space.
Do I need a permit to add lights in Federal Way?
Adding new lighting, new circuits or wiring in a remodel commonly needs an electrical permit from the City of Federal Way, not L&I. Simple like-for-like swaps may be treated differently. Your electrician or the Permit Center at 253-835-2607 can confirm for your job.
Can recessed lights go in a ceiling under an attic?
Yes, if the fixtures are IC rated for contact with insulation. Airtight rated models also reduce air leaks into the attic. Non-IC fixtures must keep clearance from insulation.
How do I get connected with an electrician?
Call (253) 555-0100 or fill out the form. Tell us the rooms, number of lights and any issues you have noticed, and we will connect you with a licensed local electrician who serves Federal Way.
