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Building a Home Lighting Exterior

Ideas? Unbalanced Front Porch Fixtures

4 years ago

The electrician installed exterior fixture plates on each side of our front door but at unequal distances. The front door is a single-type, no side-windows. There's a perpendicular wall to the right of the door, maybe a foot from the trim. To the left is a row of windows. Both fixtures were installed on center. So on the right, about 6-8 inches center between the door trim and the wall. On the the left, about 12-18 inches on center between the door trim and the next window farther down. The builder said it was done purposefully, but I haven't seen many (or any) doors with offset, asymmetrical flanking light fixtures. What to do? I think the best answer is to ask our builder to remove the plate on the right - it's close to the wall to have a fixture anyway. But it could be expensive to remove it because that hole would need to be patched. And I don't know what they would do with the electrical then that was placed there. If we install a small-ish light fixture on the right, it'll look odd on the left with so much room. And of course a nice, large fixture that looks balanced on the left between the door and window wouldn't even fit on the right. Has this happened to anyone before? Any creative ideas? TIA!

Featured Answer

remodeling1840

4 years ago

This shouldn’t cost you a dime. It is the electrician’s problem to fix. Your GC should willingly fix it correctly and backcharge the electrician. This is standard procedure in construction. The company that errs pays. Stop worrying about the cost. It is not your responsibility. Yes, it involves new siding, paint, etc. So what?

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Comments (11)

PRO
PPF.
4 years ago
Pictures?
BT
4 years ago
The lights around the door are at different distances [+8"] ... "on purpose" ...

And what purpose would that be, other than the obvious: electrical boxes were not installed properly, or it was not framed properly, studs are placed where electrical box was suppose to be. Tell you bilder quit b.s.ing and fix it.

No "patching". Prybar open and remove the board, replace the entire board.
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Hou 2009
Original Author
4 years ago
The siding's already been cut and electrical run. We could put in a cover plate and paint it the same color as the siding but not a great option. Removing and repairing is probably the best even if expensive. Really like our builder and can work with him to fix. Was just hoping for another option. Didn't know if anyone else had experienced this. Thanks.
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Its unpleasant to have lights at eye level. If there is a porch roof put the light in the ceiling. To make further suggestions I would need to see a photo.
vinmarks
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Lights flanking a door should be equidistant measured from each side of the door. The electrician messed up. The electrician should be responsible to fix it. The fixture on the left side of door needs to be moved closer to the door so that it is the same distance as the right side.

This should not cost you anything. And no putting an ugly plate over the mistake is not the solution. Have them fix this correctly. I don't care how much you like your builder. He knows this was done incorrectly and it needs to be fixed correctly.
cpartist
4 years ago
Your builder and electrician screwed up. Make them fix it on their dime.

My builder's electrician did the exact same thing on my upstairs balcony doors. You bet they fixed it on their dime.
User
4 years ago
That may be the most useless picture ever posted on Houzz.
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
4 years ago
Did the electrician who installed the J-boxes and fixtures also take and post the photo?
bry911
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago

The problem seems to be disappearing...
doc5md
4 years ago
Its just getting further away, bry! LOL

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