What Types of Old Fixtures Do We Replace?
Most GTA homes built before 2010 have one or more of these. Here’s what we pull out and what goes in its place.
Halogen MR16 and incandescent cans
Common in 1990s and 2000s homes across Richmond Hill, Markham and Mississauga. They run hot, burn out often and use four to five times the power of LED. We replace them with canless LED wafer potlights.
Fluorescent box lights and troffers
The big rectangular fixtures in older kitchens and basements, especially in 1960s and 1970s bungalows in Etobicoke and Scarborough. They flicker in the cold and the ballasts hum. We remove them, recycle the tubes and patch the large opening.
Old recessed housings that aren’t air-tight
Older housings leak warm air into the attic in winter, which wastes heat and can cause ice damming. New canless LEDs are air-tight and IC-rated.
Failing LED retrofit bulbs
Some homes had screw-in LED bulbs put into old cans. They often flicker on old dimmers. We replace the whole fixture for a cleaner, longer-lasting fix.
How Much Does an LED Potlight Retrofit Cost in Toronto?
Whole-home retrofits of 25 to 40 lights start at $2,800. Single rooms run 15 to 30 percent above the new-install price. Here’s what moves it.
| Cost factor | Lower end | Higher end |
|---|---|---|
| Old hole size | Matches new 4-inch fixture | Oversized 6-inch, needs patching |
| Fixture type | Halogen cans | Large fluorescent box lights |
| Dimmers | Few dimmers to replace | Every room needs new dimmers |
| Ceiling | Standard drywall | Plaster or tested stucco |
| Scope | Single room | Whole two-storey home |
Patching, disposal and dimmer swaps are always included, and your written quote shows every line.
When Is It Time for an LED Retrofit?
If you’re replacing halogen bulbs every few months, it’s time. The same goes for fluorescent fixtures that take a few seconds to turn on during cold winter mornings, or dimmers that buzz. Many people also retrofit before listing a home in spring, because bright, even light photographs well. Others wait until an attic insulation upgrade, since air-tight LEDs help keep the heat in.
Common Retrofit Problems We Fix
Rings and gaps around new lights
The previous installer dropped a smaller LED into a big old hole. We patch properly or use a trim that covers the opening fully.
Flicker after switching to LED bulbs
An old dimmer paired with LED. We replace the dimmer with a matched model.
Hot attic and ice dams
Leaky old housings let heat escape. New air-tight IC-rated fixtures seal the ceiling.
Mixed colour temperatures room to room
Years of random bulb replacements. We standardise on one colour temperature, or use 5CCT fixtures and set each room on purpose.
LED Retrofit vs. Swapping Bulbs
Screw-in LED bulbs are cheap and easy, but they don’t fix leaky housings, mismatched dimmers or yellowed trims. They also run hot inside an old can and often fail early. A full retrofit replaces the whole fixture with a slim, sealed LED on a proper dimmer. It costs more upfront but it’s done once, looks cleaner and saves more power over time.
Ready to ditch the halogens? Book a free consultation and we’ll count every fixture and quote the whole home.
