How to add a Ceiling Light to a Room with no Existing Wiring

In this video we go over the process of wiring in a new ceiling light in a room without one existing (no previous wiring). It's quite common to find rooms without ceiling lights and instead simply having an outlet be switched.

While I am a licensed electrician I cannot ensure this will meet your local code.
Please remember to check your local electrical code and ALWAYS turn power off before working.

If you have an additional existing 2 wire in your switch box you will simply join all of the whites together and the black from the existing 2 wire with the black of the existing 3 wire.

0:00 Introduction
0:13 Existing Wiring
3:20 Location for New Light
4:50 Types of Boxes
6:30 Cutting out Box
7:40 If you have an Attic Above
8:50 Route for New Wire
12:30 Running New Wire
14:50 Getting Wire into Switch Box
18:55 Wiring for Switch
22:33 Wiring Light
25:18 Fixing Switched Outlet
28:46 Outro

[MichaelBreeden]

Hands down the best video, especially for folks without attic access. I installed ceiling fans in all three bedrooms of my top floor, but have been dreading trying to do the living room downstairs (no access). This just gave me the confidence to do so.

There are other videos I have watched that walk through patching up the holes, but it would be great if you linked to one from you, here. The job is a little unfinished as is and I'd rather watch a video with details like you have here than watching from a different YouTuber.

[fiily]

This is exactly what I need to do to put in an overhead fan using a switch, and make the switched outlet 100% live. You sir are a prince among men, and you saved me hundreds of dollars over calling an electrician. Just need 15ft of 14/2, a new outlet, and a ceiling fan.

Thank You!

[billtaylor]

It did not answer all my questions, but it put me on the right track. Many videos will put misleading information in the title and skip over some parts, which are the whole purpose of watching the video. You touch on everything throughout the installation. Very refreshing.

[harleyluvscookies]

Very well spoken and one of the easiest to follow guides I've seen to date. Subscribed.

[elmerlopezramos.]

I'm mostly spanish speaker, but the way you explain i understand everything... thank you.!!

[futurerobotist]

Liam, love the way you walk through all the steps in a logical and consistent way, and your clear explanations offer something for everyone regardless of skill level. Another excellent video.

[Khaimrao]

This is by far the best guide ive found on YT so far. Straight to the point and explained every step all throughout. Earned a sub. Thank you

[GoldenGram]

You just helped me increase my resale value for a flip by adding overhead lights to 3 rooms!!! Thank you. Would love to see a fan install next.

[elizabetharuelo]

I’ve watched some tutorials regarding this scenario and this is the most detailed and straightforward video I’ve ever watched! I have 2 rooms in my house which doesn’t have a light and the switches are connected to the outlets. Doing it myself will def save me money. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. God bless!

[brandonwells]

I just bought a house and found a light switch in the dining room that I could not find anything connected to. I had used the bottom plug of a nearby outlet and never tried the top. The top plug is wired just like this. Now i can put a light over the dining room table. I did not think to check the top and bottom of the outlets until I watched your video. Since the vacuum worked in the outlet no matter if the switch was on or off. Great video.

[kurthueston]

I am a vertical screw person. At the end, when you said vertical screw people are degenerates, you made me lol. I gave you a thumbs up. The rest of the video is great, too.

[wandering_coder]

You are a stellar teacher. Well done. I feel like this is something I might be able to tackle in our bonus room.

[HyperbolicMind]

Dude perfect timing!

I'm doing an apprenticeship in home improvements under my mentor's business and one of our clients gave me their ceiling light.

I did not know how to install it into the ceiling of my bedroom then you go and post this.

Thank you!

[juanduarte]

Perfect video! So informative without the junk talk!

[Burnz.]

great video. glad you made sure to point out things that may differ by location (ie: grounding in a metal box) this makes it safer and easier for DIYers to do simple jobs like this themselves, while still following local code.

[TrueBeliever]

Hey man, I love your content, especially from the beginning you talk about what you’re get ready to do and you make it easy and simple without all of the talking 20 minutes before you start going to action so thank you. I’m gonna look at my cement issues pressure washing and I need to put up a ceiling fan you give easy instructions again with out all the unnecessary talk and me not knowing this stuff you make it where I can follow. thank you.

[sergiosanchez]

Your the first I actually watched the whole video simply not boring and every educational. Thank you!!

[DCPHONEGUY]

as an addendum you could have used 14-3 from the switch to the light for a ceiling fan to have switched and unswitched power available in the ceiling box, great video

[Lakusus]

This is an awesome, informative video...Thanks! As an apprentice electrician (all of about 4.5 months...long story why I didn't stick with it), all I ever worked on was rough-in and finish. I have often wondered how one could install or change an electrical arrangement without completely cutting out of the drywall the entire run. This makes SO much more sense!👍

[DYIIdeas]

Liam, love the way you walk through all the steps in a logical and consistent way, and your clear explanations offer something for everyone regardless of skill level. Another excellent video.