Want to have 4 recessed lights installed in bedroom ceiling and replace ceiling fan. Need guidance! (houses)

[ecsdude]

The bedroom is small at 12'x11'. It already has a ceiling fan with light and remote. The wall has a switch which turns on the fan, and next to that switch is a slider that adjusts the light's brightness. It's the only source of lighting in the room, and it's still too dim for me at max brightness. I've even tried getting 60W instead of 40W bulbs, went with LEDs and daylight version. While it's an improvement, I want it brighter.

So I think the best looking way and unobtrusive way to do that is to add 4 recessed lights on the ceiling. That ought to light up the entire room and fairly evenly.

I also want to replace the ceiling fan with a low profile model, as my ceiling is only 9' tall, and the current ceiling fan from ceiling to bottom cover is about 2' long. So going with a low profile model should give me another 1' of headroom. I also will probably go with a fan that is 44" rather than 52". I think these changes should make the room feel a little bigger and a lot brighter.

My questions are:
1. given my current wiring as described above, should I go with a ceiling fan with a light or without one?
Right now, my wall has the switch to turn on the fan and the slider to adjust brightness of the light. I want to retain the ability to control both from the wall, but does this mean in order to get the recessed lighting control, I'll have to move to a 3-4 control wall panel, as opposed to the current 2 control panel?

2. what's a reasonable rate/good deal to have a good contractor install 4 recessed lights and maybe the necessary controls added to the wall panel? How do I find good contractors at a fair price?



Thanks in advance!

[davidt1]

I have had some good luck finding trade people on Angie's List. A experienced electrician can provide you guidance and recommendations.

[semispherical]

OP, how old are you? The main indication I had that it was time for cataract surgery was that I kept swapping out bulbs in the light fixtures for brighter ones, and everything still was too dim.

You might also consider having a solatube installed in the room. I've had them put in dark hallways and bathrooms in two of my houses and they have made an amazing difference. Not very expensive either.