Light Fixture Installation & Replacement in the High Desert
Need a light fixture installed or replaced—without the wobble, flicker, or mystery switches? You’re in the right place. MTE Electric installs and replaces indoor and outdoor lighting for homes across the High Desert with clean workmanship, safe wiring, and friendly service that actually shows up on time.
We handle everything from simple fixture swaps to high-ceiling chandeliers, kitchen pendants, wafer/recessed lights, accent lighting, and dedicated power for backlit mirrors.
Service area: Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Helendale, Hesperia, Lenwood, Lucerne Valley, Silver Lakes, Spring Valley Lake, and Victorville.
What We Install (and Why It Matters)
Outdoor & Security Lighting
Front porch lights, coach lights, wall packs, garage and side-yard floods, motion sensors, and dusk-to-dawn photocells—outdoor lighting is about safety, visibility, and curb appeal. We make sure your fixtures are weather-rated, properly sealed, and tied into the right kind of box and GFCI protection where needed. Want brighter pathways or a welcoming entry at dusk? We can add low-voltage landscape lighting with a transformer, tune photocell timing, and set motion zones so the lights come on when (and only when) you want them to.
Common outdoor requests we handle:
Upgrade to LED wall lanterns or coach lights
Add motion or smart floodlights over the garage/driveway
Replace corroded boxes with proper exterior, weatherproof boxes
Convert old fixtures to dusk-to-dawn with integrated sensors
Tie landscape lighting into a clean, labeled transformer
Recessed (Can/Wafer) Lighting
Recessed lighting—especially slim “wafer” LEDs—is the go-to for bright, even light without bulky fixtures. Whether it’s a living room, kitchen, hallway, or bedroom, we plan spacing, choose trims (baffle, smooth, gimbal), and select the right color temperature for your space. No attic access? Wafer lights often solve that. We also install dimmer-compatible drivers and switches, so you can dial in mood and save energy.
We help you decide:
Layout & spacing: Enough light without hot spots or shadows
Color temperature: Warm (2700–3000K) vs. neutral/cool (3500–5000K)
Dimming: Smooth, flicker-free dimming with the correct switch
Ceiling type: Standard, vaulted, sloped, or tight clearances
Pendant Lights (Islands & Dining)
Pendants add style and task lighting over kitchen islands and dining tables. We center them (or purposefully “swag” them) where they belong, set the right height, and make sure the canopy sits flush. Converting a can light to a pendant? We can do that. Adding two or three new pendant drops with a clean, straight line and even spacing? Also covered. If the layout requires moving or adding a box, we’ll handle the wiring and secure mounting so the fixtures hang straight and stay that way.
Typical pendant details we get right:
Height above island or table
Even spacing between multiple pendants
Box location (centered to counters and room lines)
Dimmer setup that matches the LED drivers in your fixtures
Chandeliers (Standard & High-Ceiling)
Chandeliers make a statement—especially in foyers with 2-story ceilings or vaulted living rooms. The catch is weight, height, and support. We install proper rated fan/fixture boxes or braces, assemble crystal and arms, and safely lift and hang at the correct height. If the original box isn’t centered where it should be, we can relocate it and patch the old opening (we handle minor drywall patch; ask about paint).
High-ceiling capabilities:
Secure bracing for heavier fixtures
Tall ladders and lift strategies for 16–20 ft foyers
Clean assembly and gentle handling of delicate parts
Optional smart/dimmer controls for ambiance
Accent Lighting & Backlit Mirrors
Accent lighting brings rooms to life: under-cabinet strips for task lighting, toe-kick and cove lighting for soft glow, or dedicated circuits for lighted mirrors in bathrooms. We hide wires, choose the right driver/power supply, and place a switched outlet or junction so your mirror’s built-in lights (and defogger, if equipped) work reliably and safely.
Popular options:
Under-cabinet LED with discreet, no-glare placement
Inside-cabinet and toe-kick lighting for kitchens and bars
Dedicated, code-compliant power for LED mirrors
Smart controls and scenes (kitchen bright, evening dim)
Replacement vs. New Installations
Fixture replacement is usually straightforward: remove the old fixture, verify the box rating and wiring condition, make any needed upgrades (box, strap, or ground), and install the new fixture level and secure. Great for cosmetic updates when the location and switching already make sense.
New installs add capability: new junction boxes, new switches/dimmers, or additional circuits if needed. Examples include adding recessed lighting to a dim living room, dropping pendants over an island that never had them, or adding a motion floodlight where there was only darkness. We plan the route, minimize drywall impact, and keep the job tidy from start to finish.
Our Process (Simple & Transparent)
Quick Conversation: Tell us what you want installed, ceiling height, and any access notes (vaulted ceiling, no attic access, tile backsplash, etc.). Photos help.
On-Site Assessment: We confirm box ratings, wiring condition, switching, and placement. If we’re adding new lights, we’ll map the layout.
Clear Price Before Work: You’ll see a firm price with any options (dimmer types, layout tweaks, patch/paint notes).
Clean, Safe Install: Drop cloths go down, fixtures are assembled correctly, and wiring is done to current standards. We test everything before we button up.
Walkthrough & Cleanup: You try the lights, we label switches if needed, and sweep up our mess. We stand behind the work.
Permits: If your city or scope requires a permit, we’ll let you know and can handle it with you. Rules vary by location and project size.
What Affects Pricing (So You Can Plan)
We keep pricing straightforward, but a few factors change the time and materials:
Ceiling height & access: 8–10 ft is standard; tall foyers, stairwells, or vaulted ceilings require ladders, lifts, and extra time.
Weight & support: Heavy chandeliers or large exterior fixtures may need a brace or upgraded box.
New vs. replace: Running new cable, adding boxes, or relocating a box costs more than swapping a fixture in place.
Switching & dimming: Adding a dimmer or 3-way, or converting to smart controls, adds parts and wiring time.
Drywall/patch/paint: We aim to minimize cuts. Small patches are common; ask about paint match/finish if needed.
Old wiring surprises: Brittle insulation, missing grounds, or undersized boxes sometimes need corrections for safety.
If you’ve already bought fixtures, great—we’ll review the specs to confirm compatibility (dimming, driver type, box size, weight rating). If you want us to source fixtures, we can recommend reliable, LED-friendly options that won’t flicker on your chosen dimmer.
Why People Choose MTE Electric
Safety-first wiring: Proper box ratings, solid grounds, correct conductor sizing, and neat splices. We install to today’s standards so your lights run cool and safe.
Clean, level, and centered: Lighting is the jewelry of a room. We measure, center, and level so it looks right from every angle.
High-ceiling & specialty installs: From tall foyers to heavy fixtures, we bring the gear and the plan to do it safely.
Lighting layout help: We don’t just “put it where it fits.” We help you choose spacing, color temperature, and dimming so the room works day and night.
Respect for your home: Drop cloths, boot covers, tidy wiring, and a full cleanup. You’ll remember the lights, not the mess.
Local and responsive: We live and work where you do. Quick scheduling in Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Helendale, Hesperia, Lenwood, Lucerne Valley, Silver Lakes, Spring Valley Lake, and Victorville.
Interior & Exterior Lighting Ideas (If You’re Planning Ahead)
Kitchen: Two or three pendants over the island, under-cabinet task lights, and a dimmable wafer layout for general light.
Living Room: Even recessed layout (or a grid of wafers) with a warm 2700–3000K tone and layered lamps on switched outlets.
Dining: Statement chandelier centered to table; add dimming for family dinners vs. bright cleanup.
Hallways & Bedrooms: Low-glare wafers with quiet dimming; consider warmer color temps for evening wind-down.
Bathrooms: Dedicated power for a backlit mirror plus vanity sconces to reduce shadows.
Outdoor: Dusk-to-dawn entry lights, motion floods for side yards, and low-voltage path lighting for a safer, more welcoming walkway.
Ready to Light the Place Up?
Whether you need a single fixture swapped or a whole room re-lit, we’ll make it safe, sturdy, and good-looking. Tell us what you’re planning—pendants over the island, a foyer chandelier, bright new wafers, or outdoor motion floods—and we’ll map it out with a clear price and clean install.
FAQs
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If the job touches branch wiring, box rating, grounding, dimming compatibility, or new circuits, an electrician is the safer choice. We verify load and support, use the right box/brace, and ensure the circuit, dimmer, and driver all play nicely—no flicker, no overheating, and no mystery tripping. Handymen are great at many things; electrical safety and code-level details are where a licensed pro brings peace of mind.
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Yes. We install homeowner-supplied fixtures all the time. Send the product link or a photo so we can confirm weight, mounting style, dimmer compatibility, and whether a special box or brace is needed—especially for heavier chandeliers and some oversized exterior lights.
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A few smartphone photos go a long way. Include ceiling height, existing fixture or box, and any notes like “no attic access,” “vaulted ceiling,” or “want to move the center.” For new layouts (recessed/wafer or multiple pendants), a rough sketch of where you’d like the lights helps us fine-tune spacing and switching.