By Gene and Katie Hamilton

We've used recessed lighting fixtures in many houses because they're installed flush with the ceiling and provide illumination in an understated way. The light is a popular choice of designers because it's a simple yet stylish lighting solution. We use three small recessed lights over a fireplace to create nice ambiance and to highlight the mantel.

If you want to install recessed lighting fixtures, first investigate the house's electrical system in the area where the light will be added. If there's an existing fixture or an electrical line to tap into near the ceiling location, the job is doable by a homeowner who has some electrical experience and tools.

You'll pay an electrician $168, which includes labor and material, to install a 'remodeling' type recessed fixture with trim ring through existing drywall. Buying the fixture and installing it yourself will cost $45, a savings of 73 percent. However, definitely hire an electrician if a new electrical line is needed as a power source for the fixture, which will cost more.

Don't want to get involved doing this job yourself? Click Home Advisor, a free referral services that matches homeowners with local prescreened contractors.

Ylighting has this advice How to Choose Recessed Lighting.

The bottom line: compare the price of a contractor’s bid to install a recessed light with what it costs to do it yourself and make your decision. You adjust the cost to where you live by adding your ZIP Code.

Improvement and Repair Cost Updated 2019

The cost and time data is generated by averaging labor and material data from annually updated cost books used by contractors and refined by the authors' experience remodeling 13 houses. They are authors of 20 home improvement books and Do It Yourself or Not, a weekly column syndicated by Tribune Content Agency. The national cost can be adjusted by ZIP Code.