Lighting work isn't about hanging fixtures — it's about understanding what a room is supposed to do.
The kitchen that doesn't light up the prep counter is a kitchen that fights the cook. The dining room with the wrong fixture height is a dining room that never quite feels finished. Most lighting failures across Atherton aren't electrical failures. They're planning failures.
Lous Electric Service brings actual lighting experience to the job. The installers who roll out have done thousands of recessed retrofits, hundreds of chandelier installs, and enough outdoor lighting work to know which fixtures survive winter.
Lighting Installation and Repair Services
Every lighting service below is one we perform regularly across Atherton. We don't list services we don't do well.
Recessed Lighting Installation
New-construction and retrofit installs. Slim-profile LED downlights, gimbal trims, wet-location units, and smart-integrated cans. Proper spacing based on beam angle and ceiling height.
Chandelier & Statement Fixtures
Weight verification, joist support, dimmer compatibility, and precise centering. Two-story foyer installs with proper lift equipment.
Outdoor & Landscape Lighting
Properly sized transformers, weather-rated fixtures, photocell and timer setup, and correctly buried low-voltage cable runs.
Under-Cabinet & Task Lighting
Hardwired LED strips with convenient switching. Vanity lighting and workshop bench lighting done right.
Commercial Lighting & LED Retrofit
High-bay LEDs, office grid upgrades, parking lot lighting, and emergency lighting that meets code.
Smart Lighting & Dimmers
Lutron Caseta, Leviton Decora, Philips Hue integration with full setup and user training.
Equipment We Roll With on Every Lighting Job
Identify framing before cutting
Clean cuts every time
Stocked for immediate compatibility
The goal is finishing your job on the first visit.
Workmanship Standards on Every Lighting Install
Every lighting installation by Lous Electric Service in Atherton, CA is performed by a licensed electrician, wired to current National Electrical Code, and tested before we leave the property.
- Clean patch work after recessed retrofits
- Dimmer compatibility verified for every LED fixture
- Permits pulled and inspections passed where required
- Labor warranty on all installation-related defects
What Atherton Customers Have Said
"Eight slim LED cans... One day. The kitchen went from a cave to a fully lit working space. Real expertise."
"Lous came in, repositioned three of the cans... Worth what they charged. The first install wasn't."
"Two years in, every fixture still works. The difference is real."
From the Lous Notebook: Before You Hire in Atherton
Ask about dimmer compatibility
The single most common installation oversight. Always verify before work begins.
Ask about can spacing logic
Spacing must follow beam angle and ceiling height physics — not just "evenly spaced".
Ask about fixture support for heavy chandeliers
Over 35 lbs requires proper joist support. Don't risk it.
Talk to a Real Electrician Before You Buy the Fixture
A 20-minute phone conversation saves weeks of headaches.
Click Here to Call (888) 355-9624Frequently Asked Questions
How many recessed lights do I need in my kitchen?
Starting rule for a Atherton kitchen is one 4-inch LED can per 16 to 20 square feet of ceiling, adjusted up for darker cabinets and down for lighter rooms. The exact count comes after the walkthrough.
Will you remove and dispose of the old fixtures?
Yes. Old fixtures get removed, packed, and disposed of as part of the job. If a fixture has resale value, we leave it with you.
Can you keep the existing dimmer switches when installing new LED fixtures?
Sometimes. We evaluate compatibility and tell you upfront in Atherton, CA which scenario applies.
Do you handle outdoor lighting installs in winter?
Yes, weather permitting. Cold-weather installs in Atherton are standard for many outdoor fixtures.
What's the lead time on a chandelier install?
Most chandelier installations in Atherton, CA schedule within a week. Heavy or high-ceiling jobs may need extra coordination.