Highlights

ron schenker

Need to change a light fixture in the foyer of a house. Trouble is the ceiling is 25 ft. high and it's right in the middle. Can't use my ext. ladder, and my biggest stepladder is 16ft. Scaffolding? Mini scissor boom? What do you guys use?

Speedy Petey

Yes.
Yes.
Genie Lift, bucket truck, sky hook...


This is one of the reasons I highly discourage folks from putting fixtures so awfully high. It's no wonder half the lamps are burned out in most of them. No one wants to go up and replace them.

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K2

Little Giant , if it will fit. I've used extension ladders with an expansion plank across also.

Atricaudatus

We usually end up using scaffolding, where practical. I have used the ladder and plank method, but the pucker factor is high doing it that way. Be careful of the scissor lift idea; need to ensure the floor system is substantial enough to support the weight of the thing, and the doorways are wide enough for it to pass through. The ones I rent around her are pretty heavy.

Let us know what you ended up using, and how it worked uot. I am always open to new ideas and beter ways of doing things.

BTW, I always point out the difficulty in servicing fixtures in high ceilings to the homeowners when I do a new construction, and talk them out of it if I can. It's the "practicality vs. aesthetics" arguement.

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-Rhett
Licensed electrician and plumber

steveprichard

I've got the same problem- sunken living room with 28 foot ceiling. In the past I've used a tall step ladder with bolted on extensions on 2 legs for uneven areas in a gym balcony and was thinking of trying this on all four legs, but just thinking about it brings back the pucker.

How does the plank option work? Something like an A-Frame with a plank brace?

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Steve

"Keep thee thy airspeed, lest the earth rise up and smite thee!"

DecksEtc

Geez, Ron, I thought by the subject line that you were getting your hair highlighted! LOL

Honestly though, renting scaffolding is probably your best option. They'll just have to pay the additional costs. After all, it's their fault they bought a house with such a high fixture in the first place.

Teetorbilt

The last time that I did this, I rented a 21' A frame and used an extension pole. Cost for replacing 2 lamps was $470.00. I suggested replacing the others while we were there and set up but the HO refused. This was the first change since the home was built and 2 were out, the others can't be far behind.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

K2

Little Giant advertises on this site. Ours goes to 24+ feet but takes two guys to handle it. I feel pretty safe on one.

Ken@K&R

Last time I did this we used a 16' Trestle ladder. Not much fun but we also installed a motor and switch to raise and lower the fixture. It was operated from the foyer closet. Kind of an easy sell for them also. Nice way for a homeowner to show off.

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Ken

macmikeman

I second the trestle ladder option. Hint - it helps to have two people to carry it around and get it set up on jobs inside a finished home. They are not lightweight. Charge em big for this.