Adding a ceiling fan

[IT Guy]

How big of a deal is this and what would it cost?

I have a vaulted ceiling in the master bedroom so I don't think you can squeeze up there in the rafters. Is there a way to install a fan so it looks like it it was always there instead of an add-on because I didn't think of it when we built the house? I have been informed that exposed conduit going across the ceiling will not be an option as she doesn't want to look at that.

[Sergeant Slabber]

Is there an exsisting light fixture or something already up there that you can tap into, or is this starting from scratch?

[IT Guy]

Starting from scratch - nothing up there now.

[minneman]

are there any access areas on either end of the vaulted area like in another room that the room you want the fan in butts up to? or is this vault the highest point of the home?

[LundExplorer]

I did this in my vaulted ceiling. I accessed it from the attic access in the bedroom, ceiling was not vaulted in there.

Let me tell ya, it is not fun for me crawling up in the vaulted truss space. I could not get back there. I cut the holes, had the wires all set up, and had my kid (a skinny 10 yr old) shimmy back there (with safety gogs and breather mask on). He absolutely loved doing it.

[IT Guy]

The vault is the highest point in the house but there is an access panel in the closet in the same room. I have not popped it open since the house was built. I can't imagine there is much room though.

[JohnMickish]

Anything is possible, how much do you want to spend? Seriously, it can be done but it won't be cheap. You will probably have to cut a few "access" holes in the ceiling and patch and paint later if you can't get up above it.

[sparcebag]

It; crawl in your access and see what it looks like.Do you know how to use a electric fish tape?can you patch drywall? is your ceiling cottage cheese?Some of these answered may let me help you.

[slotlimit]

Is the fan going to have lights on it? Is the current electrical box where your light switch is a single gang or a double gang or a triple?

This will take a little work but it isn't that hard. Here's an estimate of the cost to do it yourself.

Fan = $100

14-3 wire = I guess I have only baught rolls of 250' which is $25 approx. You won't need that much.

New 2 or 3 gang box = $1.00

1x6 piece of wood = couple dollars. you can probably find something to use in your man pile of used boards in the garage.

1 or 2 light switches

SO I would say you should be able to do it yourself for $150.00 or less depending on the price of the fan you pick out.

[IT Guy]

Let me answer a couple of the questions.

Lights on the fan - No

Patch Dry wall - I can do that

Electirc fish tape - never done it

Light switch - it is a single

Ceiling - textured.

Thanks for all the info guys - this has been very helpful!

[Daze Off]

Here's what I learned when I put ours up - there is a different grade of junction box for cieling fans, make sure to get the right one, and make sure there are studs in close enough proximity that you can access to anchor your box.

Certainly not an expert as you can likely tell.

Daze Off

[sparcebag]

You might be better off building a box to match your trim in the room,put a small hole in the drywall run a wire where you can easily locate a switch put your fan elec.box in your new wood box and fasten it to the ceiling to support the fan.Avoiding all the drywall cut outs except at the new switch,where you fished the new wire in.Then you could use a elec.box made for retro fits it does'nt fasten to a stud but has clamps in its back to clamp to the drywall you cut out only the box size no taping or mud.

[JohnMickish]

All good advice, now let me tell you how I would do it since I do this for a living.

Your best option on a vaulted ceiling is to build or purchase a box that "flattens" the peak for easier mounting. Yes, you will need a fan rated box and it MUST be attached to a stud or fan rated box bracket. You don't want your fan falling on you do you?

Now if you really can't get up behind the sheetrock you are really left with only one option, that is to cut hand holes in stategic places to get your fiberglass rod (a fishtape is pretty much useless in this situation) to go where you need it.

Changing your switch box is pretty easy and if you get the right fan control you might not even have to change it. Fishing the wires into the box can be pretty tricky depending on what's in the wall. How tall is your peak? It's not uncommon for the peaks to be 14-18 feet high. Do you own a 10-14 foot ladder?

If you plan on lights in the fan you will need to run 14-3 Romex.

I have done many ceiling fans in rooms that had no prior ceiling lights. The whole process from cutting the hole, mounting the box and running the wire into the switch box is about a 3 hour job, if you can get up in the attic. I have also done these where it takes 2 Journeymen electricians an 8 hour day to do it.

I would seriously check into hiring this out if you don't have the tools or practiced skills to do this. It might be cheaper and easier on the wife.

[slotlimit]

I did exactly what Sparcebag is telling you to do. I would add that you will only need a 14-2 wire but would run a 14-3 wire just in case you decide to add lights in the future. Romex is just a brand name so don't feel like you have to buy romex. It is what most stores sell though. run your wire from the peak to the switch. Leave a foot or so hanging out the top of the peak. Add a couple of 2x4's to the roof truss so you have something to mount your homemade mounting bracket to. Mine is a oak 1x6 cut 6" square. Then cut 2 tringular piece to attach to the ends of the 6" square that are the same angle as the vault. Drill a 1" hole in the middle of the 6" pice to run your wire sticking out of the ceiling through and secure that mounting bracket to the roof truss and the studs up above the ceiling. Then mount your fan to the wood mounting bracket. You shouldn't even have to do any drywall fixing at all even by the light switch. You will not need to buy any special fan box.

[18 inch Crappie]

Quote:

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Fan = $100

14-3 wire = I guess I have only baught rolls of 250' which is $25 approx. You won't need that much.

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Let me know where you get 250' of 14-3 for $25 I will buy out the store at that price?

[slotlimit]

That was 2 summers ago. Maybe it's gone up a bit. Say even $50 it's still not going to be an expensive fix like someone else said. If we are going to be that picky maybe I should say it's not exaclty a 6" square piece because a 1x6 isn't exactly 6".

[sparcebag]

It; I posted once but heres another thought in my old age my brain did'nt register!!Why not get a remote controled fan?That would involve only one 14-2 wire for power to the fan.No wall switch to wire.

[JohnMickish]

Quote:

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run your wire from the peak to the switch.

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He said he cant get up there so that makes it really hard to run the wire. If he could get up there I'm sure the job would be done by now.

[slotlimit]

Quote:

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The vault is the highest point in the house but there is an access panel in the closet in the same room. I have not popped it open since the house was built. I can't imagine there is much room though.

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He hasn't said he can't get up there. He hasn't even checked yet.

[sparcebag]

Ya slot without opening it how can he say no place to run wire! I'd bet the crawl space enters the hall or opposing room,if it was opened he would open a whole new world.