S O T Electric, Inc. badge S O T Electric, Inc. CSLB C-10 · #1062166 Call 510-850-3941
Service · CSLB C-10 #1062166

Recessed, exterior,
and everything between.

Recessed cans, under-cabinet strips, pendant fixtures, exterior wall sconces, landscape low-voltage. New construction or retrofit, on the books, under license #1062166.

510-850-3941
Home/Services/Lighting
CSLB #1062166 C-10 licensed
Bonded & Insured Verifiable
West Contra Costa 8 cities served
Always on permit City-inspected
Same-day response Mon–Fri, 8–5

Light fixtures that match the house and the code.

Lighting is the most visible electrical work in a home — what you pick today will hang in front of you for the next 20 years. We do single pendants through whole-house recessed retrofits with the same baseline: right gauge, right switch, right enclosure, permit when needed.

We do not sell fixtures, so there is no markup and no pressure. Bring what you bought online, or we can spec. Either way.

What's in every lighting job

  1. Recessed cans (4" and 6") Air-tight, IC-rated, dimmable LED — wet-rated for showers and exteriors
  2. Under-cabinet lighting Hardwired LED strips or pucks with a wall switch, not stick-on battery units
  3. Pendant and chandelier installs New box, proper bracing for fixtures over 50 lb, fixture mount on permit if circuit changes
  4. Exterior wall and porch lights Wet-rated fixtures, weatherheaded boxes, motion or photocell control as needed
  5. Landscape low-voltage 12V transformers, in-ground or stake-mount fixtures, run-and-bury cable per code
  6. Smart dimmers and switches Lutron Caseta, Leviton Decora Smart, Lutron RA2 — installed with the right neutral and load wire

From the fixture you picked to the switch on the wall.

  1. 01

    Walk-through

    We look at where you want lights, where the existing switches are, and what the wall and ceiling cavities look like.

  2. 02

    Written quote

    Quote covers fixtures (if we are supplying), wire and boxes, switch hardware, patch labor, and permit if required.

  3. 03

    Permit pulled where needed

    New circuits and most exterior installs require permits. Direct fixture replacements often do not.

  4. 04

    Install

    We cut the openings, run the wire, land the boxes, mount the fixtures, terminate the switches, and test.

  5. 05

    Patching

    Small patches taped and textured. Larger ceiling openings (for new can layouts) get a full skim.

  6. 06

    Inspection if permitted

    For permitted work, the inspector signs off after install.

Pricing · $250 per can

Pricing we see

Lighting — per-can breakdown

Price depends on the number of fixtures, ceiling access (attic above is easier than no attic), fixture quality (an $8 generic LED vs a $60 premium with 5-year warranty), and whether the existing switch box has a neutral conductor for smart dimmers.

  • Recessed can (attic access) Clean drop from attic into ceiling — fastest install
    $250 per can
  • Recessed can (no attic access) Channel-opening or exterior conduit needed
    +$100–150 per can
  • Typical room (4 cans + dimmer) Ambient kitchen/living/bedroom setup
    ~$1,200
  • Premium fixture upgrade Color-match LED with 5yr warranty vs generic
    +$30–50 per fixture

The rooms people actually want lit.

  1. Kitchen recessed retrofit Replacing a single center fixture with a grid of 4–6 cans on a dimmer. The single biggest aesthetic upgrade in most older kitchens.
  2. Living room recessed Adding 4–8 cans in a wall-wash or grid pattern. Pairs well with a smart dimmer for scene control.
  3. Under-cabinet kitchen strips Hardwired LED bars with a dedicated switch. Transforms how the counter actually feels at night.
  4. Closet and pantry lights Door-actuated switches, recessed cans, or LED strips so you can find what you are looking for.
  5. Exterior porch and landscape Wet-rated wall sconces, path lights, uplights on trees, and landscape transformers properly sized.
  6. Bathroom vanity and shower IC-rated wet-location cans for showers, vanity-rated sconces, GFCI protection on the circuit.

Lighting across west Contra Costa.

01 Richmond 9480102 El Cerrito 9453003 Albany 9470604 Pinole 9456405 Hercules 9454706 San Pablo 9480607 El Sobrante 9480308 Crockett 9452509 Vallejo 94590

Lighting questions, answered.

Can you install fixtures I bought online?

Yes. We install owner-supplied fixtures regularly. As long as the fixture is UL listed and matches the location (wet-rated for outdoor, IC-rated for insulated ceilings), we can install it.

How many recessed cans do I need in a kitchen?

Depends on the layout. A typical 12x14 kitchen takes 4–6 cans for ambient light, plus under-cabinet strips for the work surface. We sketch a layout as part of the quote.

Can I use smart dimmers on my existing wiring?

Sometimes — depends on whether the switch box has a neutral conductor. Older houses often do not, in which case we either pull a neutral from the panel (small extra cost) or install a no-neutral-required dimmer model.

Do you patch ceilings after running can lights?

Yes. Small openings are taped and textured. Larger retrofits include a full ceiling skim where needed. Final paint is not included.

Is a permit required for lighting?

For new circuits and most exterior installs, yes. For direct fixture-replacement on existing wiring, usually no. We tell you which category your job falls into.

CSLB #1062166 · West Contra Costa

Ready for the real number on lighting?

Free walk-through. Written line-item quote the same day. Every job on permit under CSLB #1062166.

Request a walkthrough Call 510-850-3941

Start with a call · Lighting

510-850-3941

Mon – Fri  ·  8am – 5pm · CSLB #1062166