Most recessed lighting projects don't fail because a contractor made one dramatic error — they fail because small, cheap-looking decisions stack up.
These are the mistakes we see most often on Houston jobs, and the ones we vet every scope against before we start.
1. Non-IC, non-airtight housings
Attic-dumping cans waste conditioned air and drive humidity into the ceiling. IC-rated airtight only.
2. Wrong dimmer for LEDs
Buzzing and flicker are your reward. Use the manufacturer-recommended dimmer.
3. Random layout
Spraying cans without a plan looks bad. Space at half the ceiling height and adjust for tasks.
4. Mixed color temperatures
2700K in one room and 4000K in the next looks amateur. Standardize by zone.
5. Old-style retrofit trims
Modern wafer LEDs are thinner, cooler, and dimmer-compatible. The old cans-plus-trim setup is obsolete.
How to vet your contractor
Read your recessed lighting bid line by line and ask which of these mistakes are being avoided — in writing. A contractor who welcomes the question is the one you want; a contractor who deflects is the one to walk away from.
If you'd like a second set of eyes on a scope of work or an existing bid, we're happy to walk through it with you.
