Got called to a villa in Merivale last year where the owner had bought this beautiful crystal chandelier for her dining room. Cost her like three grand and it sat in boxes for six months cause she was scared to hang it herself. Smart move honestly cause when we unpacked it the thing weighed about 25 kilos and the ceiling where she wanted it only had a basic light fixture box rated for maybe 5 kilos max. We ended up installing proper support blocking between the ceiling joists and a heavy-duty junction box rated for the weight. Once we got it up and turned it on she just stood there staring at it for like five minutes. Said it completely transformed the room and she wished shed called us sooner instead of worrying about it for half a year.
Thats the thing about chandeliers - theyre beautiful but theyre also heavy and complicated. Hanging them properly takes more than just screwing something into the ceiling and hoping for the best.
Why Chandeliers Need Professional Installation
A lot of people think installing a chandelier is like replacing a regular light - just unhook the old one and hook up the new one. But chandeliers are different cause of weight, wiring complexity, and the consequences if something goes wrong.
Weight is the big issue. Most ceiling light fixtures weigh maybe 2-3 kilos. Chandeliers can weigh 15-30 kilos or more for big ones. Your standard ceiling box isnt rated for that. It might hold for a while but eventually the weight pulls it loose and you got a chandelier crashing down on your dining table or worse on someone sitting there.
Wiring gets complicated cause many chandeliers have multiple light circuits or dimmers built in. Some have remote controls or special electrical requirements. Getting the connections right matters cause mistakes can damage expensive fixtures or create fire hazards.
Height and positioning need to be right. Hang a chandelier too low and people walk into it. Too high and it doesnt light the space properly. Off-center and it looks wrong. Getting it perfect the first time beats taking it down and doing it again.
We did a house in Fendalton where someone had installed a heavy chandelier themselves using just the original light box. Held fine for about three years then one night during dinner it pulled out of the ceiling and crashed onto their table. Lucky nobody was sitting under it. Glass everywhere, table ruined, ceiling damaged. Cost way more to fix than if theyd just had it installed properly to begin with.
What Makes Chandelier Installation Different
Installing a chandelier involves steps you dont need for regular lights.
First we check what youre hanging it from. Is there a joist directly where you want it? Is the ceiling box rated for the weight? In older homes specially we often find the existing setup wont work.
If theres no proper support we add it. Sometimes that means cutting a small hole in the ceiling to install blocking between joists. Sometimes we use special heavy-duty ceiling boxes with spreading brackets that distribute weight across multiple joists. The right approach depends on your ceiling construction and where the chandelier needs to go.
Assembly is another thing. Chandeliers dont come ready to hang - you gotta put them together. Crystal chandeliers have hundreds of individual pieces that hook on in specific ways. Modern chandeliers have arms and decorative elements that need assembling. We do this on the ground before hanging cause trying to assemble a chandelier while its hanging from the ceiling is a nightmare.
Wiring needs attention cause chandelier connections are often more complex than regular fixtures. Multiple circuits, ground wires, strain relief, proper wire nuts. Everything needs to be done right cause you dont want to take a heavy chandelier down later to fix bad connections.
Hanging it takes care and usually two people. One person up on a ladder holding this heavy awkward thing while the other makes connections. Rush it and you drop an expensive fixture or hurt yourself.
Types of Chandeliers We Install
Different chandelier styles have different installation requirements.
Crystal chandeliers are the classic fancy ones with glass or crystal pieces hanging all over. These are usually the heaviest and most complex to assemble. Each crystal piece hooks on individually and theyre fragile so you gotta be careful. The payoff is they look amazing when lit up.
Modern chandeliers might be metal, glass, or mixed materials in contemporary designs. Usually simpler to assemble than crystal ones but still heavy and need proper support. Some have built-in LEDs that cant be replaced so the electrical work needs to be perfect.
Rustic or industrial chandeliers made from wood, metal, or Edison bulbs. These can be heavy too depending on materials. Often use exposed bulbs which means the wiring shows so it needs to look neat.
Pendant cluster chandeliers are multiple pendant lights grouped together. Each pendant needs wiring and they all need to hang at the right heights. More wiring complexity than a single fixture.
Outdoor chandeliers for covered patios or porches. These need to be rated for damp or wet locations and the mounting needs to handle weather movement. Cant use indoor fixtures outside even if the areas covered.
We installed a massive wrought iron chandelier in an entryway in Cashmere. Thing weighed like 40 kilos. Had to reinforce the ceiling with heavy timber blocking and use a commercial-grade junction box. Took three of us to get it up safely. But once it was installed it looked incredible - completely set the tone for the whole house.
Ceiling Height and Positioning
Getting the height right matters a lot for how the chandelier looks and functions.
For dining rooms the standard is about 75-90cm above the table. This puts the light at a good level for eating without people hitting their heads when they stand up. If your ceiling is really high you might go a bit higher to keep proportions right.
For entryways or foyers the bottom of the chandelier should be at least 2.1 meters above the floor. Tall people need clearance and you dont want anyone walking into it. In two-story entryways you got more freedom cause the chandelier can hang down further without being in the way.
For living rooms or bedrooms it depends on furniture placement and ceiling height. Generally you want the chandelier centered in the room or over a specific area like a seating arrangement. Height needs to clear heads but not be so high it loses impact.
Chain or rod length is usually adjustable. Most chandeliers come with extra chain or rod that we cut to length during installation. This lets us dial in the perfect height for your specific space.
Centering matters cause an off-center chandelier looks wrong specially in dining rooms. We measure carefully to make sure everythings lined up right. Sometimes that means relocating the junction box if the existing one isnt where you need it.
Electrical Requirements
Chandeliers have specific electrical needs that go beyond basic fixtures.
Load on the circuit needs to be checked. A chandelier with 8-10 bulbs can draw significant power specially with old incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs use way less power but you still need to make sure the circuit can handle it along with whatever else is on that circuit.
Dimmer switches are common with chandeliers cause you want to control ambiance. But not all dimmers work with all chandeliers. LED chandeliers need LED-compatible dimmers. Some chandeliers have built-in dimming which needs different wiring. We make sure the right dimmer is installed for your specific fixture.
Ground wires are required for metal chandeliers. This is a safety thing - if theres a fault the ground wire protects you from shocks. All our installations include proper grounding.
Junction box capacity matters cause chandelier junction boxes can be crowded with wires. You need a box big enough to fit all the connections safely without crushing wires.
Some fancy chandeliers have special features like remote controls, color changing LEDs, or motorized raising/lowering mechanisms. These need additional wiring or receivers installed properly.
Dealing with Difficult Ceilings
Not all ceilings make chandelier installation easy.
High ceilings mean working on tall ladders or scaffolding. We have the right equipment to work safely at height. Trying to install a heavy chandelier on a wobbly ladder is asking for trouble.
Vaulted or sloped ceilings need special mounting hardware to keep the chandelier hanging straight. Cant use standard mounts cause they dont compensate for the angle. We use adjustable mounts designed for sloped ceilings.
Plaster ceilings in older homes need extra care cause plaster is brittle. Drilling through it wrong can crack it. We use proper techniques and tools to work with plaster without damaging it.
Concrete ceilings require different mounting approaches. You cant just screw into concrete - needs proper anchors or embedments. Sometimes we need to drill and install specialized hardware.
Ceiling with no joist where you want the chandelier means we need to add blocking or use a different mounting solution. Sometimes we can go into the attic and add support. Sometimes we use spreading mounts that attach to multiple joists.
Did a chandelier installation in an old villa in Opawa with lath and plaster ceilings. Had to go into the attic, locate the joists, install solid blocking between them, then carefully cut through the plaster to mount the box. Took extra time but now that chandelier isnt going anywhere.
Safety Concerns
Chandelier installation has safety risks that need to be managed.
Falling fixtures are the obvious danger. Improperly mounted chandeliers can pull out of the ceiling. With heavy fixtures this can cause serious injuries or property damage. Proper mounting prevents this.
Electrical shocks from bad wiring or damaged fixtures are a risk during installation and use. Proper wiring, grounding, and testing eliminates this hazard.
Breaking expensive fixtures while installing them. Chandeliers are fragile and heavy - bad combination. We have techniques and tools to handle them safely without damage.
Working at height on ladders carries fall risk. We use proper ladders, have people spotting, and take our time. Rushing leads to accidents.
Earthquakes are a consideration in Christchurch. Chandeliers need to be mounted securely enough to handle shaking. Proper mounting helps but really big quakes can still cause problems. Some people in earthquake-prone areas choose lighter fixtures for peace of mind.
What to Expect During Installation
Chandelier installation usually takes 2-4 hours depending on complexity.
We start by turning off power and removing the old fixture. Check the ceiling support and junction box. If theyre not adequate we reinforce or replace them.
Then we assemble the chandelier on the ground. This can take a while for complex fixtures with lots of pieces. Better to do it carefully on a table than rushing while holding it up in the air.
Mount the mounting bracket or plate to the ceiling box. This is what the chandelier hangs from so it needs to be solid.
Lift the chandelier and make electrical connections. Usually takes two people - one holding the fixture, one making connections. Once wired we attach the chandelier to the mounting bracket.
Adjust the height by cutting chain or rod to length. Make sure everythings centered and hanging straight.
Install bulbs and test everything. Check that all lights work, dimmers function properly, and nothing rattles or seems loose.
Clean up and show you how any special features work like remote controls or dimming.
Some installations are faster if the ceiling support is already good and the chandelier is simple. Complex jobs like relocating junction boxes or installing on difficult ceilings take longer.
Cost of Chandelier Installation
Chandelier installation costs vary based on whats involved.
Basic installation where the ceiling support is already adequate and its a straightforward fixture runs $150-250. This covers removal of old fixture, mounting the new chandelier, electrical connections, testing.
Standard installation where we need to reinforce the ceiling or install a heavy-duty box runs $250-400. This is most common cause few ceilings are already set up for heavy fixtures.
Complex installations with difficult ceilings, very heavy fixtures, or relocating junction boxes run $400-600 or more. These take more time and materials.
Super high ceilings requiring special equipment add cost cause of the extra setup and safety considerations.
Assembly is included in our installation price. Some companies charge extra for assembling complex chandeliers but we figure thats part of the job.
If you need new wiring run to the location or dimmer switches installed those are additional costs.
These prices dont include the chandelier itself - just the installation labor. But they do include any ceiling reinforcement, proper mounting hardware, and getting everything working perfectly.
Choosing the Right Chandelier
Before you buy a chandelier few things to consider.
Size needs to fit your space. Too small looks lost, too big overwhelms. General rule for dining rooms is add the room length and width in feet then convert to inches for chandelier diameter. So a 12x14 room would suit a 26 inch diameter chandelier.
Weight matters for installation complexity. Heavier chandeliers need more support work. If youre on a budget a lighter fixture might save on installation costs.
Style should match your decor. Crystal chandelier in a modern minimalist room looks weird. Industrial fixture in a formal dining room looks out of place.
Bulb type affects ongoing costs. LED bulbs cost more upfront but last forever and save power. Make sure whatever chandelier you buy can use LED bulbs if you want them.
Assembly complexity varies. Some chandeliers are fairly simple, others have hundreds of parts. If youre paying for assembly time simpler might be better.
Bring us photos or specs before you buy if you want advice on installation requirements. We can tell you if your ceiling will need reinforcement or if theres any installation challenges to expect.
Maintaining Your Chandelier
Once your chandelier is installed it needs some care to stay nice.
Dust regularly cause chandeliers collect dust that dims the light and looks dingy. You can use a duster or compressed air for most cleaning. Turn off power first.
Deep clean crystal chandeliers annually. Take down the crystal pieces and wash them in warm soapy water. Dry thoroughly before putting back. This makes a huge difference in how they sparkle.
Check bulbs and replace them promptly when they burn out. Leaving dead bulbs looks bad and makes you rely on fewer bulbs which stresses them.
Tighten loose parts occasionally. Vibration from doors closing and normal house movement can loosen screws over time. Quick check every year or so prevents problems.
Inspect mounting hardware if you notice any movement or sound. Shouldnt be any play in a properly installed chandelier. If it moves or rattles call someone to check it.
Clean the ceiling around the fixture cause heat from bulbs can discolor paint over years. Touch up paint when needed to keep it looking fresh.
Common Problems and Fixes
Chandeliers sometimes develop issues.
Flickering lights usually means loose bulbs or bad connections. Try tightening bulbs first. If that doesnt fix it might be wiring connections that need attention.
Dim lights can be dirty bulbs or fixtures. Clean everything and see if that helps. Could also be wrong dimmer or failing dimmer.
Rattling or jingling sounds mean something is loose. Usually crystal pieces that need adjusting or screws that need tightening.
Sagging or listing to one side means mounting hardware is failing. This needs immediate attention cause it could fall. Turn off and call someone right away.
Complete failure where nothing lights up could be a tripped breaker, bad switch, or wiring problem. Check the breaker first then call an electrician.
Remote control not working on fancy chandeliers is often just dead batteries in the remote. Try that before assuming something is broken.