Lighting
3 Rivers Electric is your trusted electrical contractor for residential lighting installation. From a single recessed light over the sink to a whole-house smart-lighting retrofit, our licensed Twin Cities electricians scope, price, permit, and install lighting cleanly — drywall patching included.
Here’s how we do it.
Walkthrough.
We come out, you point at things, we measure and listen. We’ll talk through what’s possible vs. what’d require opening up walls, and we’ll be honest about the trade-offs.
Written quote with options.
You get a written quote with options. If you’re between “8 cans” and “12 cans,” we’ll show both prices so you can decide what fits the budget.
Permit, install, and clean up.
We pull permits where required, schedule the work around your life, and clean up like we were never there. Most lighting projects are done in 1–2 days, drywall patching included.
Walkthrough & warranty.
Before we leave, we test every fixture and switch with you. Workmanship is warrantied. Fixture warranties go through the manufacturer — we’ll register them for you if you ask.
Indoor, Outdoor & Smart Lighting
Brighten every corner of your home with lighting designed and installed by licensed Twin Cities electricians.
From a single fixture swap to a whole-house LED retrofit and smart-lighting scenes, financing is available — there’s never been a better time to upgrade.
- Recessed lighting (can lights) — single fixtures or full grids
- Interior fixtures — pendants, chandeliers, vanity lighting, sconces, ceiling fans
- Exterior, security, and landscape lighting — soffit, floods, path, uplights, dusk-to-dawn
- Smart lighting and dimmers — Lutron Caséta, Leviton Decora Smart, Philips Hue, voice-control wiring
- Complete service includes design, permitting, installation, and drywall patching
Lighting projects we take on
- Recessed & can lighting — clean layouts for kitchens, living rooms, and basements, with minimal drywall cutting and patching included
- Under-cabinet & accent lighting — task lighting that actually lands where you work
- Fixture replacement & chandeliers — including high ceilings and stairwells we’re set up to reach safely
- Dimmers, smart switches & 3-way circuits — set scenes, schedules, and control from your phone
- Outdoor, security & landscape lighting — soffit, path, and motion lighting that holds up to Minnesota winters
- Whole-home LED retrofits — lower energy use, even color temperature, no more buzzing or flicker
Why homeowners switch to LED
Modern LED fixtures pull a fraction of the power of the bulbs they replace, run cool, and last for years instead of months. Done right, an LED retrofit gives you consistent color from room to room, true dimming without flicker, and a noticeably lower lighting line on your electric bill. We help you pick the right color temperature — warm for living spaces, cooler for work areas — so the house feels intentional, not clinical.
Old wiring behind those fixtures?
Recessed retrofits in older homes sometimes turn up tired wiring. Our Fire Risk Check flags the warning signs in about two minutes.
Save on the switch to LED
Pairing a lighting upgrade with energy-efficient fixtures? Xcel’s Home Rebates include discounted LEDs and other residential offers, and the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder lists what’s available by ZIP — small savings that add up across a whole home.
Frequently asked questions
Can you add recessed lighting without tearing up my ceiling?
In most cases, yes. We use remodel-rated housings and careful access cuts to fish wiring with minimal disruption, and drywall patching is included in the quote. Where a ceiling has to be opened up, we’ll tell you up front and show you the trade-offs before any work starts.
How many recessed lights do I need in a room?
It depends on ceiling height, room size, and whether the lights are general or accent. As a rough starting point, plan on a can roughly every 4 to 6 feet — but we lay out the actual spacing during the walkthrough and will show you options (for example, 8 cans versus 12) with pricing for each.
Do you install smart switches, dimmers, and 3-way setups?
Yes. We install dimmers, smart switches, and 3- and 4-way circuits, and we’ll make sure the dimmer is compatible with your LED fixtures so you get smooth dimming without buzz or flicker. If you want app or voice control, we can wire it to work with your existing smart-home setup.
Can you do outdoor, security, and landscape lighting?
We do. That includes soffit and eave lighting, motion-activated security fixtures, path and accent lighting, and weatherproof outlets — all installed to hold up through Minnesota winters and wired on the right circuits and timers.
Do I buy the fixtures, or do you supply them?
Either works. Plenty of homeowners buy the fixtures they love and we install them; others want us to source quality fixtures for the job. If you supply your own, just have them on site before we arrive so the project stays on schedule.
How long does a lighting project take?
Most residential lighting projects wrap in one to two days, including cleanup and drywall patching. Larger whole-home retrofits or jobs that involve opening walls can run longer — you’ll get a realistic timeline in your written quote.
Ready to upgrade your lighting?
Free in-home quote with written proposal during the visit.