Hi Everyone,

I am looking to replace an old light fixture in our kitchen (the kind with the hanging string that you pull to turn on the light) with something that will have a wall switch. Is this do-able at all for a newbie? Or do I need to hire an electrician?

Personally, I believe this to be at a low to moderate skill level.

Depending on the type of wiring used in the house. Your skill level at fishing wire from the ceiling to the wall outlet and then correctly wiring the new fixture.

I would suggest you go to Lowe's, Home Depot or even Barnes and Noble and take a look at some of the Electrical Wiring Books like Black and Decker's "Complete Home wiring," to get an idea of the size of the job and the skills required.

If you have zero experience with electrical work and you do not think you can do the job, please call an electrician. We can and will help you from here but electricity can get you hurt real fast if you are not careful.

You would need to find the location where you want the switch to be, then you would need to get power to that location, in the wall, then from the switch to the light, in the wall and ceiling. If you have an attic over where the light will go then it should be easy for you to do. There are a number of ways (tricks of the trade) but I would need to know more info.