Lighting Installation & Retrofitting in Santa Monica
Bring the right light to your Santa Monica home with thoughtful design, efficient technology, and a clean, professional finish. From Ocean Park bungalows to Ocean Avenue condos and townhomes near the Third Street Promenade, we tailor every lighting plan to the architecture, lifestyle, and coastal environment. Shaffer Construction, Inc. designs, installs, and retrofits residential lighting that looks beautiful, saves energy, and stands up to salt air. Whether you’re updating recessed cans in a Sunset Park kitchen, adding smart dimmers in a North of Montana Spanish colonial, or refreshing outdoor lighting near the Santa Monica Pier, our licensed team delivers code-compliant, long-lasting solutions that fit your budget and schedule.
Our Work
Benefits
Smart, future‑ready lighting
We specify LED fixtures and control systems that evolve with your home. From Lutron Caséta or RadioRA 3 dimmers to smart hubs that integrate with Apple Home, Alexa, or Google, we design scalable systems that can add scenes, schedules, and occupancy/daylight sensors later. For solar- and battery-equipped homes, we prioritize high-efficiency drivers and low-standby controls to extend backup runtime. Options like dim-to-warm LEDs, high-CRI modules, and circadian schedules create comfortable, human-centric lighting that adapts to Santa Monica’s bright days and foggy mornings.
Permit-ready compliance
Our lighting plans follow the California Electrical Code, the National Electrical Code (NEC), and California Title 24 Residential Lighting requirements, including JA8 high-efficacy fixtures, appropriate dimming, and vacancy sensors where required. We pull the electrical permit with the City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Division, coordinate inspections, and document product specifications to streamline approvals. We also respect HOA guidelines, fire/life safety clearances, and Santa Monica Municipal Code provisions, ensuring every installation is safe, efficient, and fully compliant.
Built for coastal durability
We install quality materials designed to resist salt air: powder-coated aluminum and 316 stainless fixtures and hardware, sealed IP65+ housings, silicone gaskets, and UV-stable, marine-grade wire connectors with adhesive-lined heat shrink. Indoors, we use IC-rated, air-tight (ICAT) recessed housings or sealed retrofit trims to prevent air leakage, specify 90+ CRI LEDs for natural color, and pair them with spec-grade, low-flicker dimmers. All terminations are torqued to spec, junction boxes are sized correctly, and penetrations are sealed for longevity and energy efficiency.
Design tailored to you
Every project starts with how you live. We map tasks, sightlines, and daylight to layer ambient, task, and accent lighting appropriately. Photometric layouts target the right foot-candles for kitchens, vanities, and reading nooks; color temperature recommendations (typically 2700K–3000K) complement beach palettes. We plan control locations for intuitive use, evaluate panel capacity, and review fixture aesthetics that suit Spanish Colonial arches, modern loft ceilings, or bungalow trims. You’ll receive a clear plan, curated fixture options, and a timeline aligned with your schedule.
What We Offer
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I upgrade all my home lighting to LED at once or phase it in gradually?+
Phasing works well. Start with frequently-used fixtures (kitchen, living room, hallway) where LED savings are most noticeable. Replace burned-out bulbs with LED as you go. Most LED bulbs cost $2-8 each and last 15-25 years versus 1-2 years for incandescent. Total lighting cost drops as you replace. Wiring changes are not needed for simple bulb replacements. For remodels or new fixtures, we recommend LED from the start. Phased replacement lets you see savings before final investment. Most Santa Monica homeowners find phased LED transition most comfortable.
What's the best lighting design for my Santa Monica home?+
Good lighting combines ambient (general), task (focused), and accent (highlighting) layers. For living rooms, use dimmer-compatible LED to set mood. Kitchens need bright, shadow-free lighting above work surfaces. Bedrooms benefit from dimmers for relaxation. Bathrooms need bright vanity lighting. Hallways and entryways use motion sensors for convenience and safety. Color temperature matters: warmer 2700K lights feel cozy; cooler 4000K-5000K are energizing. We design lighting plans that balance aesthetics, functionality, and energy efficiency. Professional design costs $300-500 but ensures you love your lighting long-term.
Can I add dimming to my existing light fixtures, or do I need to replace them?+
Dimmer-compatible LED bulbs can be added to existing fixtures with compatible dimmers. Older fixtures may need dimmer replacement (standard dimmer to LED-compatible dimmer). New fixtures with built-in dimming or 0-10V controls offer the most flexibility. We assess your fixtures and recommend the most cost-effective solution. Dimming saves energy (dimmed lights use less power) and improves ambiance. Smart dimmers integrated with automation systems provide ultimate flexibility. Most Santa Monica homeowners find dimming worth the upgrade cost.
How do I choose between different LED color temperatures and brightness levels?+
Color temperature (measured in Kelvin) affects mood: 2700K is warm/cozy (bedrooms, living rooms); 3000K is natural/comfortable (kitchens, offices); 4000K-5000K is cool/energetic (bathrooms, task lighting). Brightness (measured in lumens) replaces old wattage: 60W incandescent = ~800 lumens; 75W = ~1100 lumens; 100W = ~1600 lumens. Choosing proper color and brightness makes spaces feel right. We guide selections based on room purpose and your preferences. Sample different options before committing to whole-home changeover.
What's the difference between standard LED bulbs and smart/connected lighting?+
Standard LED bulbs are simple replacements with no additional features. Smart bulbs (Philips Hue, LIFX, etc.) connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, allowing dimming, color change, and scheduling via app or voice commands. Smart switches (Lutron, Leviton) control existing fixtures without bulb replacement. Smart systems cost more upfront ($15-50 per bulb) but provide flexibility and integration with home automation. For Santa Monica homes with smart home systems, integrated lighting is worth the investment. For simple homes, standard LED is sufficient.
How can I use lighting to improve home security and curb appeal in Santa Monica?+
Outdoor motion-sensor lighting deters intruders and lights your path safely. Landscape uplighting highlights architectural features or trees, creating ambiance and visibility. Pathway lighting guides visitors safely. Smart outdoor lighting can be scheduled or controlled remotely. Proper outdoor lighting increases curb appeal and home value. We design outdoor lighting that balances security, aesthetics, and energy efficiency. Coastal Santa Monica homes benefit from marine-grade outdoor fixtures. Professional outdoor lighting design transforms your home's nighttime appearance.
Related Services in Santa Monica
Ready to Get Started?
Contact us today for a free consultation and quote on your electrical project!
Contact Us