What should a contractor expect from a lighting supplier before rough-in?
If you are ordering decorative lighting for a client build, you need three things confirmed before the drywall goes up: the fixture’s certification for your voltage market, the canopy and drop dimensions that set your rough-in height, and a lead time you can put on the schedule. XY Lighting publishes dimensions, socket types and certification status for all 835 fixtures on this site, quotes trade orders through a named trade desk, and supports a 2-year limited warranty on trade orders. This page is the contractor-facing checklist for getting those three answers in writing.
Which certifications do I need to verify before I install?
Certification requirements vary by jurisdiction, and it is the trade customer’s responsibility to confirm that a fixture, its certification and its installation method meet the code requirements of the project’s jurisdiction — that sentence comes straight from our trade terms, and it is the right frame: treat every fixture as a confirmation item, not an assumption. We supply fixtures certified to UL/ETL for 110–120V markets and CE for 220–240V markets, and can supply other certifications to order.
| Checklist item | What we supply on request | What you verify on site |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage market (110–120V vs 220–240V) | Fixture voltage and driver specification per SKU | Matches the branch circuit and dimmer model specified |
| Safety certification (UL / ETL / CE) | Confirmation of the listing a fixture carries, plus documentation for other certifications to order | The listing mark on the fixture or spec sheet against your inspector’s requirement |
| Damp / wet location rating | Rating per fixture where the manufacturer declares one | Rating is appropriate for the actual mounting location (bathroom, covered exterior, etc.) |
| Socket / lamp type | Socket per SKU — the catalogue runs E12, E26, G9, G4, E14, E27 and GU10 across 835 fixtures | Lamp availability and dimming compatibility with the specified driver or dimmer |
| Wattage and load | Max wattage per fixture on the product page | Total connected load on the circuit stays within the panel schedule |
Never write “UL listed” into a submittal until the listing for that specific SKU is confirmed in writing. If a project needs a listing we do not stock, ask the trade desk before you substitute — do not swap fixtures after submittal approval.
What rough-in dimensions and ceiling loads should I plan for?
Decorative fixtures fail inspection and punch lists for boring reasons: the ceiling box is in the wrong place, the canopy does not cover the junction box cutout, or the fixture weighs more than the ceiling framing was detailed for. The dimensions below come from the actual product data across our catalogue, so you can plan box locations and blocking before the electrician is on site.
| Planning item | Range across the catalogue | What it means for rough-in |
|---|---|---|
| Canopy diameter | 4–24 inches | A 24-inch canopy needs a marked center point and a flat ceiling — flag oversize canopies on the reflected ceiling plan |
| Chain drop length | Up to 80 inches of chain | Confirm finished ceiling height and table/floor clearance before ordering a fixed chain length |
| Adjustable suspension | Cord-adjustable models run to 192 inches; maximum hang position reaches 195 inches | For tall foyers and stairwells, adjustable cord models avoid a re-order when site heights drift |
| Fixture weight | Published weights run from under 10 lb to 425 lb on the largest pieces; treat roughly 80 lb as the planning threshold above which structural attachment is designed, not improvised | Anything near or above 80 lb needs blocking or engineered attachment detailed by the framer or engineer — confirm exact weight on the spec sheet, not by eye |
For sizing the fixture itself against the room — table width rules, ceiling height formulas and clearance numbers — use our chandelier size chart, which walks through the same dimensions your client will ask about.
How do lead times work, and what dates go on the schedule?
Our trade terms state that lead times in a quotation are estimates based on production capacity at the time of quotation, and are confirmed once a purchase order is received and payment terms are met. In practice that means you should never move your finish schedule onto an unsigned quotation. The dates below are the ones that are fixed by policy, so build your procurement checklist around them.
| Milestone | Fixed window | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Quotation validity | 30 days unless stated otherwise | If your permit or bid date slips past 30 days, request a re-quote rather than assuming pricing holds |
| Specification changes | Only before production begins | Lock fixture selections before the production slot is reserved; changes after that point affect price and lead time |
| Custom and made-to-order slots | Cannot be cancelled once production has begun | Do not reserve a custom slot until the client has signed off on the selection |
| Trade pricing revisions | 30 days’ notice | Confirmed orders are unaffected — get the PO in before a known revision date |
| Payment terms | 50% deposit to begin production, balance before dispatch; extended terms by written agreement for established accounts | Deposit timing is production start timing — a late deposit moves the ship date |
Exact production and transit days are quoted per project because they depend on the fixture, the finish and the destination. Ask the trade desk to confirm current capacity for your SKUs before you commit a fixture installation date, and see customization if the project needs made-to-order finishes or scales.
What happens if a fixture arrives damaged or a part fails?
Glass, alabaster and crystal components that break in transit are replaced at no charge when reported within 7 days of delivery — that 7-day window is the single most important date on this page. Have the site foreman photograph the crate and the fixture before unpacking is finished, and report same week, not at the end of the job.
| Step | Who does it | Deadline / requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Photograph crate, packaging and fixture on arrival | Site foreman or receiver | On delivery day |
| Report transit damage to the trade desk | Whoever placed the order | Within 7 days of delivery |
| Warranty claim on a defect | Trade account holder | Photographs plus the original order number required |
| Warranty coverage | Both sides | 2-year limited warranty on trade orders; terms per the warranty statement attached to your order |
Do I need a trade account to order for a job?
No — anyone can order at list price from the chandelier and other category pages. But trade pricing, a named contact and quotation support require an approved trade account. Contractors and builders are explicitly eligible; apply through the trade program and the desk will verify and approve your account.
Can I get a fixture that is not in the standard catalogue?
Yes. Custom and made-to-order projects are quoted individually and are not subject to a minimum order value, so one-off pieces for a single job are fine. Remember the cancellation rule: once a custom slot enters production it cannot be cancelled, so get the client’s sign-off in writing before you release it.
Where should a contractor start?
Shortlist fixtures by type in the full catalogue — for example a statement piece like the Salon alabaster large sconce for a powder room or entry — then send the schedule of fixtures to the trade desk for a quotation with lead times. Confirm certification, canopy size, weight and drop length for each SKU against this checklist, and you will have everything the electrician, the framer and the inspector need before rough-in day. Designers working from the same drawings will find the companion page on wholesale pricing and spec support useful for client presentations.
Related: 110V vs 220V: What Actually Changes When You Specify Lighting
Related: Trade Procurement Checklist: From Sample Order to Staged Delivery