Recessed Lighting Installation Cost per Can
Old-construction vs. new-construction pricing, LED retrofits, and dimmer compatibility.
Recessed lighting (cans or canless wafers) averages $150–$400 per fixture installed in existing ceilings and $80–$180 per fixture during new construction or renovations with open ceilings. The single biggest cost driver is whether the ceiling has to be cut and patched.
Old vs. new construction pricing
Cutting into an existing ceiling, fishing wire, and patching adds $50–$200 per fixture in labor. Old-construction LED wafer lights (Halo HLB, Lithonia WF) install through a single circular hole with no can required, dropping labor significantly — these are the right choice for most retrofit jobs.
On a typical kitchen or basement, expect $1,800–$4,500 for 12 wafer-style fixtures including wiring, dimmer switch, and patch work.
Dimmer compatibility matters
Cheap LED fixtures paired with cheap dimmers cause flicker, hum, and dropout. Always pair name-brand LEDs (Halo, Lithonia, Cree) with name-brand dimmers (Lutron Caseta, Leviton Decora Smart) rated for LED loads.
If you want smart-home integration, plan the dimmer choice during install — adding smart switches later costs as much as the original install for a single light.