Hiring an Electrician to Install a Ceiling Fan in Gilbert, AZ (vs DIY)

What it costs to hire an electrician to install a ceiling fan

These are planning ranges for labor and standard materials in Gilbert, not a quote. The fan itself is extra.

See the full breakdown in ceiling fan installation cost in Gilbert, or call 480-741-8742 for a quote based on your ceiling.

When to hire a professional

If you want a pro for ceiling fan installation in Gilbert, these are the situations where it is clearly the better choice:

• There is no existing ceiling wiring or box. See new ceiling fan wiring.
• You are replacing a light fixture. The box likely needs to be replaced. See conversion.
• The ceiling is high or sloped. Ladders, long downrods and angled mounts add risk. See vaulted ceiling fan installation.
• The wiring is old, brittle or has no ground.
• The fan is heavy, large or outdoors.
• You want separate switches, a smart fan or a remote.
• You have several fans to install.

What a professional adds

• Inspection of the box, wiring and ceiling before the fan goes up
• Correct support for the fan's weight
• Correct wiring and controls
• Balancing and testing
• Faster completion and clean-up
• Someone to call if it does not work

In Arizona, electrical work for others is generally done by contractors licensed with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. You can check a contractor's license on the ROC website.

DIY vs hiring: cost and time

DIY saves labor cost, but you pay in time, tools and risk. A first-time installer may spend two to four hours on a job that takes a professional about an hour. Add a trip to the store for a part or a box, and the difference gets smaller. See ceiling fan installation cost in Gilbert.

When DIY is reasonable

Installing a ceiling fan yourself is a reasonable project if all of these are true:

• You are replacing an existing fan with one of similar weight
• The ceiling box is marked as fan-rated and is solid
• Ceilings are 8 or 9 feet and you can work from a stable ladder
• You can turn off the breaker and test that the wires are dead
• The wire colors match the fan instructions
• You have a helper to hold the motor while you connect the wires

Safety basics if you do it yourself

• Turn off the breaker, not just the wall switch, and test the wires
• Do not use a dimmer on the fan
• Use the box and hardware the fan requires, and never hang a fan from a fixture box
• Use a stable ladder and a helper
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions

Read ceiling fan wiring colors explained and can you hang a ceiling fan on a light fixture box? before you start.

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