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Any tips on changing light bulbs in a high fixture without a ladder in a safe way?

Asked by Josefine Nielsen
3 months ago
Last Updated: June 14, 2024

Hey there, first-time homeowner here! Just moved into this place and realized that two out of three bulbs in this super high light fixture are burned out. Any suggestions on how I can 1. Identify what kind of bulbs it needs and 2. Replace them? I’m pretty short, so climbing up a ladder is not my idea of a good time. Plus, I don’t really have anywhere to store a ladder afterwards. And the thought of it being near the staircase is a bit nerve-wracking – I definitely don’t want any ladder-related accidents!

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Melvin Wright

Having a home warranty is a good idea. You just need to pay the service fee and they will send someone to take care of it.

Rusyava Levkivski

Knows that light bulbs are not included in any home warranty or insurance.

Melvin Wright

Just needs to mention that the light is not working. They’ll replace the bulbs for her. Who knows if the light really works?

Rusyava Levkivski

Got caught for fraud. Hilarious, right? 😉🤣

Patrícia Rezende

No content

Patrícia Rezende

It’s almost like you have to get a Home Warranty, right?

Melvin Wright

If you’re purchasing in this economy, , you should definitely be haggling for a deal.

Patrícia Rezende

Haha, “You should have” 😂😂😂

Marta Lazić

Hey, ! ‘t hate on the player, hate on the game.

Janne Nygren

Having a ladder at home can be very useful. They resemble Candelabra bulbs… If you had a ladder, you could upgrade that ‘chandelier’ to a more modern and attractive fixture.

Amelia Mackay

Suggested using a fixture with replaceable bulbs and an extension rod.

Concepción Ríos

You can usually rent a ladder from most home improvement stores. That’s probably your best option for changing the light bulbs.

Melissa Newman

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کیمیا سهيلي راد

Hey , can you explain how that would work with this light?

سارینا سهيلي راد

He jokingly suggested drilling a hole through the roof and angling it downwards 😂

میلاد موسوی

You can easily find extension poles at most stores.

کیمیا سهيلي راد

Can you explain how that method would be effective for this light?

Elya Barbier

Hey, mentioned that those won’t work if the lightbulb is pointing up.

میلاد موسوی
Raquel Castillo

It might be worth paying a handyman $200 to take care of it for you.

Thiago Lemoine

You’ll definitely get good use out of a ladder now that you’re a homeowner…

Gloria Flores

I would hire an electrician to adjust the height of the light fixture for safety reasons, that way you won’t have to stress about it moving forward.

Mita Mišković

It’s simple, just make sure to get the right ladder. lol

علیرضا کریمی

Having a ladder will be useful for when you need to go back up and replace the battery in the smoke detector. 🙂

Jayden Robinson

You might have trouble using an extension pole since the bulbs are inserted from the top. Better to get a ladder or hire a handyman.

Matthew Lee
سارینا سهيلي راد

Nope. Candle style bulbs. Unless you’re suggesting we drill a hole through the roof and point it down 😂

Emilie Adam

If this pole can’t go up there and hit us with a 180, it’s not going to work.

Matthew Lee

If you don’t have a ladder or an 11-inch extension pole, you’ll have to resort to living by candlelight lol

Emilie Adam

I bet she has a brighter home. As a homeowner, I’ve definitely faced some fears. Climbing up a tall ladder was one of them.

Cícera Barbosa

Maybe you could rent an 8-foot ladder. Or perhaps consider purchasing a Little Giant ladder.

Nathalie Fagerhaug

Hey , do you know where I can rent a ladder from? I checked online but I’m not sure. I was thinking maybe Lowe’s or Home Depot offer rentals.

Enni Koivisto

Hey , you also have the option to purchase it, use it, and then return it.

Kelly Perez

You can find rentals at Menards, Lowes, or Home Depot.

Kelly Perez

That’s the kind of thing I would rent from Home Depot.

Emilie Adam

Having a ladder is way more cost-effective than hiring someone to replace those cheap $2 light bulbs up high. It’s a lifesaver for homeowners. And if you’re into DIY projects, make sure you have a ladder and a sturdy step stool ready to go.

Nathalie Fagerhaug

I own a step stool and a small ladder but they don’t quite do the job of helping me reach high places. Another problem I face is not knowing what size ladder I would need to reach those heights.

Emilie Adam

Did you know there are apps that can calculate how high your ceiling is? It’s like having a virtual measuring tape! With that information, you can choose the perfect A-ladder – a ladder that can lean against a wall and form an “A” shape while being extendable. No need for a ladder that touches the ceiling, just one that helps you reach it.

Nathalie Fagerhaug

The only problem is that none of the walls are near the light.

Emilie Adam

An A-frame ladder doesn’t require a wall for support, .

Nathalie Fagerhaug

Oh, okay . That’s perfect, haha.

Emilie Adam

Believe me…I am terrified of heights so I’ve done a ton of digging. Bought the incorrect items and returned them multiple times before figuring it out.

Elizabeth Walker

I own a gorilla ladder. It’s as tall as a step ladder when stored, but can extend to 18ft. They also have models that reach up to 23ft, depending on your needs. It’s really been a worthwhile investment.

Nathalie Fagerhaug

Thank you, !

Hunter Denys

Consider hiring a professional window cleaner to keep your windows sparkling. Request a quote that includes chandelier cleaning and bulb replacement for added convenience. Maintain a regular cleaning schedule with them.

Fred Morrison

As a homeowner, it’s a good idea to invest in a ladder.

Melina Jeremić

You might want to consider getting a ladder…. although I would suggest replacing it with a lower light fixture for convenience down the line, and to modernize the look.

Nathalie Fagerhaug

I was thinking the same thing. Just a little short on cash at the moment. I really don’t want to deal with climbing up that high to replace a light bulb.

Melina Jeremić

Hey , you should definitely consider checking out factory direct appliance if you’re in the area. Also, ask about their next clearance event. I managed to snag an $800 entryway light for just $40 there. All I had to do was buy a downrod on Amazon for $8 because it was the display model. By the way, congratulations on the new home!

Nathalie Fagerhaug

Thanks a bunch, ! That deal is truly amazing.

Natalia Guerrero

Hey , have you thought about putting a long cord on it and securing the cord to a wall tie? My sister did that with a super heavy candelabra, and it worked great!

Rusana Prodan

About the marketplace, I was actually selling a light fixture that hung too low and I kept hitting my head on it every time I entered the room, haha. So, I replaced it with a shorter one. Interestingly, the same light fixture is priced at nearly $300 at Home Depot, but I was selling it for $100 or best offer, or willing to trade for some help. Maybe she can find something for free, trade, or at a very cheap price.

Nathalie Fagerhaug

That’s a great point. I love your perspective, haha.

Nathalie Fagerhaug

Thank you so much!

Zaira Lima

Consider getting a Little Giant ladder. They can be folded up neatly if storage space is limited. You’ll probably find yourself needing it more than you think in the future.

پارسا پارسا

Do you have smoke detectors there as well? I would recommend switching to the ten-year battery type! It may cost more to hire a handyman than to buy a foldable ladder 🪜

Luka Hageland

If you prefer the DIY route, investing in a ladder is a good idea. But if you’d rather not buy one, see if a neighbor is willing to lend you theirs.

Noemie Riviere

From the position of the doors and railing, it looks like a foldable step ladder of about 3-4 feet should do the trick to reach it easily. I’m honestly not sure how serious this post is. 🤔😅🤨😂😂😂

Nathalie Fagerhaug

I actually own a step ladder so maybe the angle in the picture makes it seem lower than it is. I’ve tried already but I’m short, as I mentioned, and even taller people couldn’t reach. So I’m just hoping someone might have a new idea.

Fatma Bayındır

You could try to find a ladder somehow… maybe buy one or borrow one. It’s really quite simple.

Nathalie Fagerhaug

Hey Tina, I was curious if there are any other ideas besides the obvious. Thanks for the advice.

Fatma Bayındır

Hey , are you suggesting stilts? Using a ladder seems to be the only option unless you’re Spider-Woman.

Hunter Wood

Welcome to the world of home ownership! And yes, a ladder will definitely come in handy. 🤣

Freddie Peters

Even with a set of steps, safety is crucial. Climbing by a low balustrade can be risky without someone to secure the steps. Hiring a handyman to install a rise and fall pendant may be a safer alternative for changing bulbs.

Asbjørn Fossan

Owning a home means needing ladders, unless you plan on paying others for help. It’s hard to estimate the cost of simple tasks like changing a light bulb or painting, but factoring in travel time and other expenses, it could add up to a few hundred dollars per visit. And if they come once a year, you might discover even more tasks that require a ladder.

Jociano Nunes

Consider hiring a local or chain handyman for various household tasks

Philip Sørensen

Personally, I say just go ahead and buy a ladder. As a homeowner, you’ll definitely find yourself needing it more often than you think.

Philip Sørensen

I’ve heard about the Little Giant ladder. Although they fold up neatly, they can be quite heavy. If you’re not super strong or don’t have someone to help carry it upstairs, I’d recommend sticking with a two-sided ladder like this one.

Slađana Maksimović

You know, there’s actually a stick you can buy to replace light bulbs. I can’t remember the exact name though.

Gustavo Angulo

We know someone who has a 22′ Keller Kpro ladder that works great on stairs. When our light bulbs need changing, we pay him $25 to replace all of them. I tried using a bulb changing extender in the past, but it didn’t work well for me. Good luck!

Dario Petit

The only option with that fixture is using a ladder unfortunately. Trade it for a sturdy one and then you can attach an extension pole with a suction cup to reach it. That’s how I manage to change the light bulbs in my recessed lights. They are approximately 20 feet high, I would say. Those are vaulted ceilings.

Susan Payne

That’s what they call a contractor light. You could get a big light and pay someone to put it up for you

Siddharth Jain

As a homeowner, you’ll find many occasions where a ladder is necessary. Invest in an aluminum one and keep it stored outdoors. If you really don’t want to purchase one, consider borrowing from a neighbor. By the way, congratulations on your new home!

Nathalie Fagerhaug

Thanks !

Virgil Gomez

Consider renting the tallest ladder available at Home Depot. I had to do this at my office to change lightbulbs in 22-foot high ceilings. We rented it for half a day for less than $100 a few years back. And if you opt for LEDs, they should last a long time without needing to be replaced.

میلاد نكو نظر

Consider changing or adjusting the lighting fixture. If not, consider purchasing a ladder and taking precautions while using it. It might be a good idea to have someone help stabilize the ladder.

Gjalt Hoffman

You could give one of these a try. I haven’t used them personally, but I’ve seen them at Lowe’s.

Rosa Hernádez

Hey, here! I have one of those and it’s really awesome. It’s the best purchase I made because it saved me from falling off a ladder. Plus, it comes with lots of attachments for different tasks.

Nathalie Fagerhaug

Thank you everyone. The height may not be clear in the photo because even with my tall step ladder, I can’t reach it. I know it seems like a simple question, but I’ve never had to change a bulb that high before, hence the post.

Vittorio Jungmann

If you don’t have a ladder, you have the option to rent one or hire someone who has a ladder to assist.

Christoffer Pedersen

Here’s an idea that hasn’t been mentioned yet. If you feel comfortable, why not introduce yourself to your neighbors? You could ask if they happen to have a ladder and would be willing to help you change out the bulbs. My husband has often helped our neighbors with various tasks, so they might be happy to assist. If you’re skilled at something, offer to help them in return in the future. Having good neighbors and being a good neighbor is invaluable.

Sénio Rodrigues

The process is similar to replacing the smoke detector battery. A folding ladder, such as a little giant, is highly recommended.

Holly Perkins

Looking to rent a ladder?

Rodoljub Rađen

If it were me, I’d probably bring in a professional to switch out the fixture for a recessed light that allows for easy bulb replacement.

Diane Lowe

If you own a house, investing in a ladder is essential. It will come in handy numerous times down the road.

Marta Lazić

I recommend getting a ladder, especially a tall one that can be used for other tasks. Also consider replacing the light fixture with something easier to change.

Melanie Schwalm

How high is your ceiling?

میلاد سلطانی نژاد

Have you considered TaskRabbit? You can hire someone to do it for you. Also, try using LED bulbs for a longer lifespan. 😉

Mercedes Romero

You can always find great deals on ladders at Harbor Freight. I got a 17-foot adjustable one that folds in half for just $99.

Nanna Møller

Hey, if you’re a new homeowner, remember to have a ladder handy along with other tools for taking care of your house. Get the ladder and get comfortable using it, you’ll need it more often than you think.

Aleksej Cvetković

A reliable ladder is a must-have. Found a versatile one on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3S9nLqN.

In the future, you can simply hire someone to install a budget-friendly, longer fixture that is aesthetically pleasing. Top 2 choices.

Catalina Amador

Consider renting an A-frame ladder or scaffolding from Home Depot.

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