Stair Lighting

[sjvicker]

My house was built in the late 50's and there's no light in the stairway to the walk out basement. There's a light switch at the bottom of the steps for the laundry area and a switch at the top for a light in the hallway. There's also a cut out that lets in light from the kitchen/dining area.

I'm looking to sell next year and am wondering if the hassle of adding 3 way switches and a light is worth it or if anyone thinks this would be questioned on a home inspection? There is no easy path to get wires up to the attic for a light so this isn't a small project. It also wasn't questioned on the inspection when we moved in.

 

[dcg9381]

It sounds like you're wanting to add a light to this space. One option, assuming the ceiling access is crappy is to run low voltage lighting. You'd need to cut walls, but we have track LEDs under the hand rail itself (low voltage).

But if this is THE problem that's going to show up on an inspection of a home built in 1950, I think you're doing pretty well. Lighting appears adequate to me as you took that photo.

 

[mike93lx]

Leave it be. You won't get a penny more for the sale and you'll have a bunch of hassle

 

[The Cobbler]

people won't appreciate it or miss it on a walk thru . leave it as is .

 

[sjvicker]

Thanks everyone. There's quite a bit of natural light from windows upstairs and down and I dont want to add lighting to this area. It's low on my priority list and I was hoping that the feedback here would be that it should be low as well.

One more project off the list!

 

[Maddog1337]

Could add some battery powered stair lights, but agree it's a non-issue for 99% of people upon walk thru

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

How about a remote controlled 3 way light switch?

 

[sjvicker]

I considered battery lights with remotes but wasn't sure if this was a situation where there would be a code requirement to be hardwired.

 

[Zeke]

Best to let the sale start and see what comes up. Sometimes a little negotiation settles all the problems. Might not be an issue even though code requires stairway lighting with 3-way switching.

 

[cybrdyke]

Easy enough to change your switch to a smart switch and then stick a remote switch onto the wall at the other end of the stairs. At least that'll satisfy code.
CD

 

[PoorUB]

How about a remote controlled 3 way light switch?

I considered battery lights with remotes but wasn't sure if this was a situation where there would be a code requirement to be hardwired.

Depending on how hard the wiring is, you can run from one switch, to the light and use a Lutron Caseta switches so you will have a wireless switch on once end.
Also just some low mounted down lights that light up the steps is good, or just one good light at the bottom.