Ceiling fan installation

[koloratur.livejournal.com]

We're considering splitting the cost of a ceiling fan in our living room with the landlords (they buy the fan, we get it installed). I know enough to know that we probably have to have a box put in, because there hasn't been a fan there before, but that is pretty much the extent of my expertise. Can anyone recommend an electrician and/or give me an idea what it might cost? We live on the ground floor of a typical Somerville 3 family. Thanks!

ETA: there is already a light there; it's an old school chandelier type light with a dimmer knob on the wall. Thanks for the advice so far.

Comments

[desiringsubject.livejournal.com]

I've had excellent experiences with Deb Dugay: 617-875-3538

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

The guy I used (I can look it up if you want) charged $75/hr and could probably do this in an hour if you already have the wiring from a ceiling light there.

[somervillesnow.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing 75-250 for the installation based on experience for a licensed electrician. I know that is kind of a big range so may or may not be useful. I think 100-150 range most likely. Will probably take him an hour or so. There is a special box for the ceiling fan they should pick up, that should be screwed into wood with a decent length of screw 3" if it was going into a joist would be ideal.

I'm open to feedback on this from other posters though.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

For my guy he usually wants me to buy everything in advance that's not a normal thing in his truck; I'd just confirm it before hiring anyone

[xuth.livejournal.com]

This assumes that there's already electric at least very near where you want the ceiling fan installed. If not it can be really ugly (either expense or looks from doing something like using surface mount conduits) to get the electric run where you want it.

[somervillesnow.livejournal.com]

If there is no existing wiring and you are not below an attic, forget about it if you are renting the place.

[xuth.livejournal.com]

Well, or drop ceiling, or having the joists aligned the right way so it's not painful to snake the wiring where you want it, or any of a million other things. For that matter depending on where placed surface mount conduit isn't that awful either. So there's typically a way of making things work. It's just that it often takes a bit of creativity on the part of the installation and flexibility with respect to expectations.