Wiring bathroom lights?

Question

Contractor finished bathroom remodel. Ceiling fan/light and vanity light are all on same light switch. He said it would cost $150 to add wiring in wall to add switch. Shouldn't this have been done anyways? Existing lights were on same switch but this was a remodel? Now i have two lights and ceiling fan going all the time!

Answer 1

sounds a little high priced for that but if you wanted that you should have paid the price

Answer 2

well when you had the remodel done you should have asked for the lights and fan to be seporated if that was what you wanted as this was the way it was before and the way it is set up now is like a string of christmas lights all in a row so yes if you want it changed the electrician is right and he would have to add more wire and a new switch and if it only costs another 150.00 get it done because once you let the original contractor go then you will end up paying someone elses price and it is not cheap.

Answer 3

The $150 price to put the ceiling fan/light on a separate switch seems about right. That would have given you the option of only turning on the vanity light. Both you and he are negligent in not asking if you wanted the fan/light on a separate switch though.

Answer 4

If you wanted it separate you needed to indicate that to him. Still, if the fan is a separate unit from the ceiling light, it should have been on a switch by itself.

I wired all the lights in the bathroom of one of my rentals on one switch, but put the fan on another.

As far as costs, they can charge what they want. You don't have to pay it.

If you have access to the wiring in the ceiling, it isn't that hard to do yourself.

I have removed switch boxes and installed double boxes using old work replacements. These are usually blue with wings that catch the drywall.

You may need to purchase an electrical fish to feed the wire. You don't need anything longer than 10ft.

Turn off the the breaker, remove the switch remove the box, (you may have to hacksaw if nailed), determine which set of wires go where and which feed from the breaker.

Wire nut two extensions to the hot (black) wire. Attach the feeding hot to the brass screw of each switch, and the switching black wire (goes to the light) to the silver screw of each switch.

Wire nut all neutrals together and wire nut all grounds together with two extensions that go the grounding screws on the switches.

You will need a double gang box, and check the plate cover before you cut to make sure it will fit where you want to put it.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

Sorry Hoss, negligence on your part. You should have asked questions or made it clear you wanted seperate switches. On the other side, a decent contractor should of asked what your preference was, not very good customer communications on his part. The $150 cost is not bad to clean up this mistake, spend it, learn something from this and be happy, enjoy your new bathroom.

Answer 6

contractor screwed up. he would have had all the walls apart IF he put in new walls/paneling. it is common to have the fan and one light together but vanity is always separate. its crazy to have the fan come on when you just want to wash your hands or pee. he knows better and is trying to put one over on you. i have remodeled lots of bathrooms. besides witch if you have a basement its not that big of a job even now.

Answer 7

my hubby is an electrician, he said contractor was being cheap, it all depends on how the contract was written, but he says 150.00 is about the going rate but check your contract

Answer 8

well what ever reason it happened it happened and 150 after its finished isn't that bad a price