How much does under-cabinet lighting cost to install in NB?

Under-cabinet lighting installation in a New Brunswick kitchen typically costs $300 to $1,500, depending on whether you choose plug-in LED strips (DIY-friendly) or hardwired puck and linear lights (professional installation required). This is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost upgrades you can make during a kitchen renovation — or even as a standalone project.

Plug-in LED strip lights are the most affordable option, running $50 to $200 for materials covering a typical kitchen's upper cabinets (8 to 12 linear feet). These adhesive-backed strips plug into a standard outlet, so no electrical work is required. You can install them yourself in an afternoon. The downside is visible cords running to an outlet, which looks less polished than a hardwired solution. However, many NB homeowners tuck the cord behind the cabinet or use a discreet cord channel to keep things tidy.

Hardwired LED puck lights provide focused task lighting at specific zones — above the cutting board area, above the stove prep space, and above the sink. Professional installation costs $500 to $1,200 for a typical kitchen with 6 to 10 puck lights. This includes the fixtures ($15 to $40 each), a low-voltage transformer, wiring through the cabinet interiors or wall cavity, and connection to a dedicated switch. The result is clean, cord-free lighting controlled by a wall switch or dimmer.

Hardwired LED light bars or linear strips are the premium option and the most popular choice during full kitchen renovations in the Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John markets. These continuous strips mount to the underside of each upper cabinet and provide even, shadow-free task lighting across the entire countertop. Professional installation runs $800 to $1,500 for a full kitchen, including the fixtures, transformer, wiring, and a dimmer switch. The even light distribution makes a noticeable difference for food prep, especially during NB's dark winter months when natural light is limited from November through March.

Installation Timing and Electrical Considerations

If you are doing a full kitchen renovation, under-cabinet lighting should be planned during the electrical rough-in phase — before drywall and cabinets go in. Your electrician can run wiring through the wall cavity to the cabinet locations and install a switch or dimmer at an ideal location. Adding hardwired under-cabinet lighting during a renovation adds only $300 to $600 in incremental electrical costs because the electrician is already on site.

Retrofitting hardwired under-cabinet lights into an existing kitchen is more involved. The electrician needs to fish wire through finished walls or run it through the cabinet interiors, which adds labour cost. Expect $600 to $1,500 for a retrofit installation depending on how accessible the wiring path is.

For the best results, choose LED fixtures with a colour temperature of 3000K to 3500K — warm enough to be inviting but bright enough for task work. Avoid anything above 4000K, which creates a harsh, clinical feel in a home kitchen. A dimmer switch ($30 to $75 installed) is highly recommended so you can adjust brightness for cooking versus ambient evening lighting.

Under-cabinet lighting is one of the few kitchen upgrades where the plug-in DIY route delivers genuinely good results. If you are not ready for a full renovation but want to improve your kitchen's functionality, LED strip lights are an excellent starting point that you can install yourself this weekend.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Thirty Four Renovations
• Gionetterenovations