Lighting And Electrical Guide | Heartland Homes of Mankato MN

Recessed lighting (general tips):

Recessed lighting – Many uses, and can be used in almost any room.
Each recessed lighting “can” costs $65 - Keep in mind that each recessed lighting “can” costs $65 and will be included in your lighting allowance number.

Kitchen electrical:

Recessed lights “cans” – Used for general work area lighting – 3 or more are recommended for adequate lighting in an average size kitchen.
Light over sink and lights over island or peninsula - Consider vaults when choosing – recessed lighting/mini-pendants/pendants), over island or peninsula. Consider vaults and height of ceiling when choosing. If ceiling height is very high, 10’ or more, often the chain/cord may not be long enough.
Under cabinet lighting – direct wire fluorescent or halogen lights. There are two levels of quality that can be purchased at Home Depot (the bulbs are included only at that store). The cheaper ones (blue box) are good but they make a slight humming noise. The more expensive green box is about 1 ½ times more expensive but they do not hum.
Rope lighting - can be used under base cabinets for night lighting. If so, you will need to indicate that addition to the electrician so he can wire an extra outlet under the sink base.
Choose a location for phone/TV cable - One hook-up is included in your bid. Determine whether you need additional hook-ups for desk area etc…
Special Outlets - During your walk-through with the electrician you can indicate special preferences for outlets – i.e. – outlets above cabinets for holiday lights.

Bath electrical:

Bath light bars - can be used above each vanity mirror
Light/exhaust fan combo - No need to purchase one unless you have a specific one in mind. It is included in your bid.
Waterproof recessed “can” - can be used above the shower or whirlpool tub at extra cost.
Recessed “cans” - can be used above vanity mirrors instead of a light bar.
Rope lighting - can be used under base cabinets for night lighting. If so, you will need to indicate that addition to the electrician so he can wire an extra outlet under the sink base.
TV/phone hook-up - Indicate special need for TV/phone hook-up. It is not included in your bid.

Foyer/stairway electrical:

Recessed lights? Can be used in place of pendants and chandeliers.
Pendant/Chandelier? – Consider vaults and ceiling height when choosing. Choosing the right size is very important for this area. A very large grand foyer entrance will require an over-size chandelier that often times cannot be found at Menard’s, Home Depot & Lowes. You will probably need to shop at a lighting studio.
Special outlets - During your walk-through with the electrician you can indicate special preferences for outlets – i.e. – plant shelves for holiday lighting/snow village or entry table with lamp.

Dining room electrical:

Recessed lights? - Can be used instead of a pendant, especially if mini-pendants are used adjacently on the center island.)
Pendant/Chandelier? - Consider vaulted ceilings when choosing.
Special outlets - During your walk-through with the electrician you can indicate special preferences for outlets – i.e. – lighted china cabinet, sofa table with a lamp or desk area.
TV/phone hook-up - Indicate special location for TV/phone hook-up especially if you are considering using your formal dining room as a den either now or in the future.

Living room electrical:

Recessed lights?
Ceiling fan?
Flush mount?
TV/phone hook-up - Indicate special location for TV/phone hook-up. At least one is included in your bid depending on whether your bid was done using the standard feature list or luxury standard features. Special note: If you are planning on having TIVO in your living room you will need 2 coax cables if you want to watch something at the same time you are recording something.
Special Outlets - During your walk-through with the electrician you can indicate special preferences for outlets – i.e. – extra outlets on the floor especially for the homes with an open floor plan. These outlets are handy for end tables with lamps if they are placed in the middle of a room. Also consider outlet placement for built-ins, audio/video equipment and holiday lighting.

Bedrooms’ electrical:

Flush mounts -Most often used in the kids’ bedrooms unless vaults/mono-vaults are present.
Ceiling fan - When there is a vaulted ceiling or tray ceiling, ceiling fans work well, as they do not hang too low like they would on a typical 8’ ceiling. Clearance may be an issue for tall people.
TV/phone hook-up - Indicate special location for TV/phone hook-up. At least one is included in your bid depending on whether your bid was done using the standard feature list or luxury standard features list (Check original bid). Special note: If you are planning on having TIVO in your bedroom you will need to specify to the electrician that you require 2 coax cables if you want to watch a show at the same time you are recording it.
Special outlets - During your walk-through with the electrician you can indicate special preferences for outlets – i.e. – extra outlets for exercise equipment or desk areas.

Hallway electrical:

Flush mounts - Determine whether 1,2 or 3 lights are needed for adequate lighting depending on length of hallway.
Wall Sconce(s) - Keep in mind clearance issues for narrow hallways/moving large items through.
Special Outlets - During your walk-through with the electrician you can indicate special preferences for outlets – i.e. – outlet for sofa table with lamp.

Exterior electrical:

Front coach lights - Can be used on the front of garage or recessed lights could also be used.
Front stoop - coach light(s), sometimes a pendant can be used for a higher exterior ceiling height, or recessed.
Garage utility door - decorative coach lights or a halogen utility light – (Menards has the best halogen utility light for $19.99 which includes the bulb, comes in clay or white.)
Patio door lighting - also can be decorative or utility halogen.
Special outlets - During your walk-through with the electrician you can indicate special preferences for outlets – i.e. – extra outlets under the eaves for holiday lights, patio outlets. Two weatherproof outdoor outlets are generally included in your bid.

Family Room Electrical:

Recessed cans - are most commonly used, but flush mounts can be used to stay within a budget.
Ceiling fan(s) - can be used, but consider ceiling height when doing so. A fan on an 8’ ceiling may inhibit your view of the T.V. Clearance may also be an issue for tall people.
TV/phone hook-up - Indicate special location for TV/phone hook-up. At least one is included in your bid depending on whether your bid was done using the standard feature list or luxury standard features. Special note: If you are planning on having TIVO in your family room you will need to specify to the electrician that you require 2 coax cables if you want to watch a show at the same time you are recording something.
Special outlets - During your walk-through with the electrician you can indicate special preferences for outlets – i.e. – extra outlets for built-in entertainment centers, exercise equipment or desk areas.

Closet Lighting:

Flush mounts - (most economical)
Fluorescent flush mount lighting - (brightest but more expensive)
Direct wire fluorescent - which can be mounted right above the doorway on the inside.

Heartland Homes Lighting Allowance Pricing Guideline:

These are examples to help you stay within your budget!

Please check your own personal bid to determine what lighting allowance number was included in your bid. Lighting allowances will vary from home to home depending on homeowner's budget and preference.

$750 Lighting Budget Example for a typical 2BR, 1 BA, 2 Car split entry home:

Price guideline: Typical Quantity Total

Flush Mounts $15 or less 2 $ 30

Bath Light Bar $50 or less 1 $ 50

Exterior coach lights $20 ea. or less 3 $ 60

Utility garage door and patio door $20 ea. or less 2 $ 40

Ceiling Fans $80 or less 2 $160

Mini- pendants over sink and island $25 ea. or less 3 $ 75

Main chandelier in foyer $90 or less 1 $ 90

Chandelier over dining table $50 or less 1 $ 50

Recessed lighting $65 3 $195

Total: $ 750 + tax

$1200 Lighting Budget Example for a typical 3BR, 2 BA, 3 Car, split entry home:

Price guideline: Typical Quantity Total

Flush Mounts $20 or less 4 $ 80

Bath Light Bar $70 or less 2 $140

Exterior coach lights $40 ea. or less 4 $160

Utility garage door and patio door $20 ea. or less 2 $ 40

Ceiling Fans $100 or less 2 $200

Mini- pendants over sink and island $30 ea. or less 3 $ 90

Main chandelier in foyer $150 or less 1 $150

Chandelier over dining table $ 95 or less 1 $ 95

WI Closet Lighting $50 for fluorescent 1 $ 50

Recessed lighting $65 3 $195

Total: $1200 + tax

$1800 Lighting Budget Example for a typical 3BR, 2 ½ BA, 3 Car, 1 ½ story home:

Price guideline: Typical Quantity Total

Flush Mounts $20 or less 5 $100

Bath Light Bar (dbl sinks master ba) $80 or less 4 $280

Exterior coach lights $40 ea. or less 5 $200

Utility garage door and patio door $20 ea. or less 2 $ 40

Ceiling Fans $120 or less 2 $240

Mini- pendants over sink and island $40 ea. or less 3 $120

Laundry (fluorescent) $50 or less 1 $ 50

Main chandelier in foyer $200 or less 1 $200

Chandelier over dining table $155 or less 1 $150

2 WI Closets - 2 flush mounts $20 or less 2 $ 40

Recessed lighting $65 or less 5 $380

Total: $1800 + tax

$2200 Lighting Budget Example for a typical 3BR, 3 BA, 3 Car, 2 story home:

Price guideline: Typical Quantity Total

Flush Mounts $30 or less 5 $150

Bath Light Bar (dbl sinks master ba) $80 or less 4 $320

Exterior coach lights $80 ea. or less 5 $400

Utility garage door and patio door $20 ea. or less 2 $ 40

Ceiling Fans $120 or less 2 $240

Mini- pendants over sink and island $40 ea. or less 3 $120

Laundry (fluorescent) $50 or less 1 $ 50

Main chandelier in foyer $250 or less 1 $250

Chandelier over dining table $150 or less 1 $150

WI Closet Lighting $50 for fluorescent 2 $100

Recessed lighting $65 or less 6 $380

Total: $2200 + tax