Replacement Lighting: Orange Aprons or Lighting Store (Tucson, Oro Valley: house, buying) - Arizona (AZ) - City-Data Forum

Marcy1210 · 08-19-2012, 01:11 AM

I need a new ceiling fixture in my kitchen. It has begun being selective as to when it will turn on and stay on, so I replaced the switch, but that's not it. It is just me and my son (who is 23 and not very handy yet), and I'm wondering if it is wiser, better, less expensive to buy a fixture at a Big Box store and have an electrician install it, or to go to a lighting store, buy the fixture and have them (if they do) install it. The current fixture is a 4 bulb flourescent with a diffuser on a 15' ceiling...

Does anyone know of any lighting stores? I'm in OV, so I'd prefer something on this side of town.

Bummer · 08-19-2012, 10:35 AM

Since this will probably be one of those "once in a lifetime" type of projects, Marcy . . . I'd go with the Lighting Store and get it right the first time.

Over the years I've had good luck (lamp rewiring as well as specialty fixtures and ceiling fans) with NorthSide Lighting at First and Fort Lowell. Not Oro Valley but definitely convenient enough. They've been around for many years while the "Orange Apron" guy has probably only been around a few weeks, if that.

NorthSide Lighting in Tucson AZ - Ceiling Fans and Outdoor Lighting in Tucson Arizona

Good Luck

RickTucsonHomes · 08-19-2012, 11:25 AM

When I redecorated my house I bought fixtures from both HD and Northside Lighting. Was very happy with both, but I did the installations myself. One thing at Northside, don't assume the price on the tag is their best price. I found they had room to negotiate :-) . Like Bummer, would highly recomend them. If you ever want to buy a ceiling fan Northside is great as they can mix and match the different parts of the fan, fan blades, light kit etc. Not just the one standard that comes with each model.

Marcy1210 · 08-20-2012, 12:28 AM

Thank you! Since I'm probably not going to attempt to replace light fixtures myself, I like the idea of working with someone. I've got to get my dreaded emissions test this week, so I will definitely stop by Northside Lighting.

I'd love to replace my ceiling fans, too. So this is good to know, Rick. The previous owners of my place didn't like lighted ceiling fans, and I do, so they are on my to-get list. I like the idea of doing business with someone other than the big box guys.

CheyDee · 08-20-2012, 01:42 AM

I may be off base, but my thoughts are if it's the fixture, (ie if a ballast is on it's way out), an installer could easily change it out for something new. However, if there is a problem with the wiring, it may require an electrician.

We just bought two wall sconces, to replace existing ones which are hard-wired, and got a steal of a deal at overstock.com. We were able to do the change-out ourselves though. The time delay from ordering to receiving the sconces was just three days and we didn't upgrade their regular shipping.

Prodigal Native · 08-20-2012, 10:38 AM

I would put money on this being a bulb or ballast issue. If you haven't looked at the bulb lately (and with 15' ceilings I bet you don't go up there a lot) I would see if they are dark on the ends. If so, I would replace them first. If they are new and/or in good condition then it is probably the ballast (or even the starters if it has them). Changing it vs repairing it is up to you and if you are looking for a good excuse to replace it you may not want to think about this any further.

Marcy1210 · 08-21-2012, 01:15 AM

There isn't a starter (from what I'm told), and I'm not sure it's bulbs. There's an opaque, white diffuser, so I can't see the ends of the bulbs, but I know there are four 48" flourescent tube bulbs. It's a typical tract-house ceiling (cheap) fixture. When it does decide to work, I'm pretty sure the bulbs light. The fixture is picky and mostly won't turn on, but occasionally it will play nice and work. So, ballast is a good bet. Being that it's a cheap, tract house ceiling fixture, is it worth replacing the ballast, or would it be worth it to replace the entire fixture?

However, being only 5'4", I'd need a 9' ladder at least, and I am not going to climb 10+ feet up on a ladder to investigate the bulbs and/or remove and replace a ballast.

Marcy1210 · 08-21-2012, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CheyDee

I may be off base, but my thoughts are if it's the fixture, (ie if a ballast is on it's way out), an installer could easily change it out for something new. However, if there is a problem with the wiring, it may require an electrician.

We just bought two wall sconces, to replace existing ones which are hard-wired, and got a steal of a deal at overstock.com. We were able to do the change-out ourselves though. The time delay from ordering to receiving the sconces was just three days and we didn't upgrade their regular shipping.

Would an electrician replace a fixture if I bought one I liked--I provided it, and he provided the labor? I'm wondering if that would be less expensive than buying a fixture at a place like North Side Lighting and having them install it.

2farsouth · 08-21-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcy1210

Would an electrician replace a fixture if I bought one I liked--I provided it, and he provided the labor? I'm wondering if that would be less expensive than buying a fixture at a place like North Side Lighting and having them install it.

I'm sure they would but, swapping out a fixture is very straight forward and doesn't really require an electrician. I've replaced many and it isn't very difficult. I'd suggest asking a "handyman", either a friend or maybe someone on Craigslist or a local paper.

Jareb · 08-21-2012, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcy1210

There isn't a starter (from what I'm told), and I'm not sure it's bulbs. There's an opaque, white diffuser, so I can't see the ends of the bulbs, but I know there are four 48" flourescent tube bulbs. It's a typical tract-house ceiling (cheap) fixture. When it does decide to work, I'm pretty sure the bulbs light. The fixture is picky and mostly won't turn on, but occasionally it will play nice and work. So, ballast is a good bet. Being that it's a cheap, tract house ceiling fixture, is it worth replacing the ballast, or would it be worth it to replace the entire fixture?

However, being only 5'4", I'd need a 9' ladder at least, and I am not going to climb 10+ feet up on a ladder to investigate the bulbs and/or remove and replace a ballast.

What you describe is either ballast or bulbs. My bet is the flourescent bulbs are end of life. You can get four 48" bulbs at home depot for about $20.
Have a neighbor or someone with a 10 ft ladder change them out.
Intermittent operation is the same thing I had with my garage lights and new bulbs corrected the problem.