Specialty Electric installs hardwired under-cabinet LED lighting in kitchens across San Diego County: no cords, no batteries, controlled from a switch or dimmer. See it lit at Fan Diego first. Estimates are free.
Updated
The ceiling light is behind you. So every time you lean over the counter to chop, read a recipe or wipe up, you're working in your own shadow.
Under-cabinet lighting puts the light between you and the work. The counter is bright, the backsplash glows, and in the evening the kitchen can stay soft and warm with just that layer on.
Hardwired, not stick-on
Plug-in and battery lights leave cords, dead batteries and a switch under every cabinet. A hardwired system runs from a wall switch or dimmer like every other light in the room, with the wiring hidden.
Most kitchens have no power under the cabinets today. We bring a circuit to the right spot, and for low-voltage tape light we place the driver where it stays cool and can be reached later.
Tape, bar or puck?
Tape light
A continuous line of light. COB tape, like American Lighting's, has no visible dots, and warm-dim versions get warmer as they dim. It needs a driver and careful planning around corners and cabinet runs.
Bar fixtures
Self-contained fixtures in set lengths that link together, like Nora's LED undercabinet linear, some with color you can switch at installation.
Puck lights
Small round lights that make pools of light. Better as accent lighting inside glass cabinets than as work light on a counter.
Placement matters too: mounted toward the front of the cabinet, the light washes the counter and backsplash without reflecting off a glossy countertop into your eyes. We match the color temperature to your ceiling lights so the kitchen reads as one room, and we choose tape with high color rendering (90+ CRI on the American Lighting tape we display) so food and finishes look true.
See it lit before it goes in your home.
Photos can't show you glare, color or how a trim sits in the ceiling. Fan Diego's showrooms have working displays from Nora Lighting, American Lighting and Legrand, so you can compare tape, bar and puck lights, and warm-dim against standard white, side by side, lit and in your hand, before we schedule anything. Beyond what's on display, we supply and install WAC Lighting, Kichler and more, so you're never limited to one catalog.
Every member of the showroom team is a Lighting Specialist certified by the American Lighting Association. You don't have to know what you want. Tell us about the room and we'll help you choose.
San Diego: 8020 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
Rancho Mirage: (760) 779-9916
What it costs
The price depends on the length of the cabinet runs, how power gets there, and the system you choose. Every job is quoted before we start, and estimates for electrical work are free.
Want help choosing? Book a design consultation: an ALA-certified lighting specialist comes to you for $195, and $145 goes toward your installation when you book within 60 days.
Guarantee. We guarantee our labor for life. Period. Products bought from Fan Diego also come with a 180-day in-home warranty.
Hi, I'm John with Specialty Electric. I'm a licensed electrician and second-generation owner of Fan Diego — and a Lighting Specialist certified by the American Lighting Association, like every member of our showroom team. We've been lighting San Diego homes since 1982.
What to expect
- Permits
- Ask us about permits when we quote. Whether your job needs one depends on the work.
- Time on site
- It depends on the job. Most jobs are done in a day or less.
- Price
- Every job is quoted before we start. The price depends on how difficult the labor is, how long it takes, and the cost of materials.
- Brands we install
- Nora Lighting, American Lighting, WAC Lighting, Kichler
- Trade program
- Designers, builders and contractors save on select brands when our electricians install. See the trade program.
Frequently asked questions
Can under-cabinet lights be hardwired if there's no outlet?
Yes. We run power to the right spot, hide the wiring, and put the lights on a wall switch or dimmer.
Should I choose tape light or puck lights?
For counter work light, tape or linking bar fixtures give even light without dark spots. Pucks make pools of light and suit glass-front cabinets better than counters.
Will the light reflect off my countertop?
It can, on polished stone. Mounting the light toward the front of the cabinet and choosing a diffused lens keeps the glare down. You can see the difference on our display.
Can under-cabinet lights dim?
Yes, with a dimmer and driver that are compatible with each other. We pair them as part of the job.
How much does under-cabinet lighting cost in San Diego?
Every job is quoted before we start, and estimates for electrical work are free. The price depends on the cabinet runs, how power gets there and the system you choose.