Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design 1 Sep 25, 2013 11:54 am Hi everyone, currently trying to figure out my electrical layout for my build and I'm not sure what to do with the lighting in the kitchen. I am wanting 3 x hanging pendant lights hanging over my kitchen bench plus 2 x downlights in the middle of the kitchen. I'm trying to figure out what is the most Cost Effective way of going about things as my budget is tight. Options 1) Get my builder to install 5x batton fix lights (at a cost of $47 each) and have a private electrician change them all over after handover. I would have to purchase the down lights myself. Option 2) Get the builder to install the 2x downlights at a cost of $120 each, then install 3x batton fix to be changed over to my pendants by an electrician after handover option 3) Get my builder to install 1 x Junction box with switch wires (estimated cost of $90) then get an electrician to install all the lights after handover. I don't really know how much an hour an electrician charges. I have attached a photo to hopefully give you a better idea of the layout. I really have no idea about any of this stuff so any advice is greatly appreciated. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ My Build thread --- https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=67313 Final Builders Interview - 18th Nov 13 Site Works - 11th Dec 13 Slab - 16th Dec 13 Frame - 7th Jan 14 Re: Need advice re junction boxes for kitchen lighting 2Sep 25, 2013 12:12 pm I would be interested in any replies because this is very close to the number of lights and layout we plan for our kitchen. Only difference is we're having 4 downlights under the overhead cabinets as well to light the rear bench. My only thought is would it not be better to have a two way switch operate those lights? I'm not sure how the rest of your house is laid out, or what's "above" the kitchen but if you're coming from above wouldn't it be annoying to have to walk through to the end of the kitchen to turn the lights on? Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=65085 Re: Need advice re junction boxes for kitchen lighting 3Sep 25, 2013 12:20 pm EmyN I would be interested in any replies because this is very close to the number of lights and layout we plan for our kitchen. Only difference is we're having 4 downlights under the overhead cabinets as well to light the rear bench. My only thought is would it not be better to have a two way switch operate those lights? I'm not sure how the rest of your house is laid out, or what's "above" the kitchen but if you're coming from above wouldn't it be annoying to have to walk through to the end of the kitchen to turn the lights on? Hi guys, I think it would be easier to leave all your electrical needs as standard and then get an electrician in after handover to complete whatever you need - lights, cabling, switches etc. unless you are building double storey, then get them to install battens (or junction boxes - whatever is cheapest) so the cabling is already in the ceiling space and get him to change over to the lights you want. The electrican you use should be able to supply downlights etc. but you are probably better off getting your own pendants - although if you have a picture, they may be able to source for you. For anyone in Melb, I can provide details of a sparky who can do all this for you and reasonable pricing! His work quality was great too!! We have used him a few times. He provided all materials too including our pendants (could get them a bit cheaper than in stores) Cheers ! Re: Need advice re junction boxes for kitchen lighting 4Sep 25, 2013 12:45 pm I would get the builder to install two battens only. One in the middle of the bench for the pendants and then one batten where you would like one of the downlights. Any good sparky will use lasers to measure and align the other holes later. I know mine does We installed only one batten + a switching wire + a ceiling timber in the centre of each room so we can add fans and downlights later. If you install a j-box you wont have any lights until they are installed. If your doing it all straight away (before you move your stuff in) then i guess it wont matter.. Best of luck Settled Land 28/04/11 Siteworks 04/12/12 Footings 16/03/13 Slab Poured 27/03/13 Frame 22/04/13 Roof 29/04/13 Bricks 07/06/13 1st Fix 02/07/13 2nd Fix 26/07/13 Handover 18/09/13 Re: Need advice re junction boxes for kitchen lighting 5Sep 26, 2013 11:14 am Thank you so much for your advice guys. I think I need to have another chat with my builder. In the end it probably wont make a huge price difference either way as its only a few lights. My Build thread --- https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=67313 Final Builders Interview - 18th Nov 13 Site Works - 11th Dec 13 Slab - 16th Dec 13 Frame - 7th Jan 14 Re: Need advice re junction boxes for kitchen lighting 6Oct 21, 2013 9:51 pm MrsG EmyN I would be interested in any replies because this is very close to the number of lights and layout we plan for our kitchen. Only difference is we're having 4 downlights under the overhead cabinets as well to light the rear bench. My only thought is would it not be better to have a two way switch operate those lights? I'm not sure how the rest of your house is laid out, or what's "above" the kitchen but if you're coming from above wouldn't it be annoying to have to walk through to the end of the kitchen to turn the lights on? Hi guys, I think it would be easier to leave all your electrical needs as standard and then get an electrician in after handover to complete whatever you need - lights, cabling, switches etc. unless you are building double storey, then get them to install battens (or junction boxes - whatever is cheapest) so the cabling is already in the ceiling space and get him to change over to the lights you want. The electrican you use should be able to supply downlights etc. but you are probably better off getting your own pendants - although if you have a picture, they may be able to source for you. For anyone in Melb, I can provide details of a sparky who can do all this for you and reasonable pricing! His work quality was great too!! We have used him a few times. He provided all materials too including our pendants (could get them a bit cheaper than in stores) Cheers ! Hi Mrs G, Would you be able to PM me the details of the sparky you used? Thanks heaps! Indigo 22 Potters Grove, Officer, Vic Aug '13 - Signed PWC Oct '13 - Conditional Approval Dec '13 - Formal Approval Apr '14 - Land Settlement Jun '14 - Site Start Oct '14 - Keys Re: Need advice re junction boxes for kitchen lighting 7Dec 30, 2013 11:17 am As already mentioned, get the island lights on a separate switch, but only get one batten fixed in the position where you want one of the fittings needs to be mounted by your builders sparky. Once you have moved in, you will at least have one light there that you can put in a cheap cfl, and get your own sparky in to finish it off. When we do our build, we're going to have a whole lot of batten fittings in place to give us some lighting for when we move in, then slowly but surely get the stuff we like put in. The plan then is to buy a group of nice light fittings, and get the sparky in to do them in batches to save on sparky call out fees.... cheaper one callout with 6 things being done, than 6 callouts. Owner Building at Jimboomba Woods in Logan City Qld. Blog : http://bandlnewhomebuild.blogspot.com H1 thread : viewtopic.php?f=38&t=68283 . Re: Need advice re junction boxes for kitchen lighting 9Apr 21, 2014 8:42 pm We went the junction box route and I am sure it included the switch - which also has the pantry light on it (which will be installed by the builder). We are having our lights installed after handover but before moving in - doing pretty much the same as you but I haven't decided how many downlights yet. We are getting the downlights that never change the globes (they last for minimum 7 years, about $80 each then you get an electrician to change them when they do finally go). They are supposed to be very energy efficient and never get hot so no risk of fire in the roof. Re: Need advice re junction boxes for kitchen lighting 10Apr 24, 2014 10:03 pm joyfulbuilder We went the junction box route and I am sure it included the switch - which also has the pantry light on it (which will be installed by the builder). We are having our lights installed after handover but before moving in - doing pretty much the same as you but I haven't decided how many downlights yet. We are getting the downlights that never change the globes (they last for minimum 7 years, about $80 each then you get an electrician to change them when they do finally go). They are supposed to be very energy efficient and never get hot so no risk of fire in the roof. Sounds good.... i am importing my own LED's from the UK. Have you obtained a quote from a sparky to install ? Re: Need advice re junction boxes for kitchen lighting 11Apr 24, 2014 10:09 pm I haven't looked at sparky quotes yet. 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