Light switch and dimmer installation in Austin, TX
A failing switch is a small part doing a lot of work. We replace worn switches, fix dimmers that make LEDs flicker, and correct the loose connections behind the wall, with a flat-rate price you approve first.
Light switch and dimmer service covers the control device itself: replacing a worn or crackling switch, wiring three-way and four-way switching so one light works from two or more locations, choosing a dimmer that is rated for your LED load, and installing timer, occupancy or vacancy switches. It also covers single smart-switch installs and the correcting of backstabbed or loose connections that cause flicker and heat. For a known swap like a dimmer or a sensor, we price it up front. When a switch is failing for an unknown reason, a diagnostic fee covers opening the box to find the cause, and then you get a flat-rate price for the fix.
This is the right call if:
- A switch is warm, buzzing, crackling or has to be jiggled to turn the light on.
- Your LED bulbs flicker, hum or will not dim smoothly on an existing dimmer.
- You want one light controlled from two or three spots, such as the top and bottom of a stairway.
- A switch or dimmer has gone loose in the wall or no longer holds in place.
- You want a timer, occupancy or vacancy switch for a bathroom, closet, pantry or garage.
- You want a single smart switch and need to know if the box has a neutral wire.
Switches & dimmers options
Switch replacement and repair
We swap worn single-pole switches and the ones that spark, buzz or feel hot. In older Hill Country homes we often find the device wired by the push-in backstab holes, which loosen over time, so we re-land those wires on the screw terminals for a connection that holds.
Three-way and four-way switching
Controlling one light from two locations needs a three-way pair, and from three or more locations needs four-way switches in between. We wire the travelers correctly so the light responds from every switch, which is also where a lot of DIY three-way jobs go wrong.
Dimmers and LED compatibility
Many LEDs flicker because the dimmer was built for old incandescent loads, not low-wattage LEDs. We pick a dimmer rated for your bulbs, forward or reverse phase as the LEDs require, and size it to the total load so the dimming is smooth and quiet.
Timer, occupancy and vacancy switches
A timer switch shuts off a bath fan or exterior light after a set time, an occupancy switch turns a light on when you walk in, and a vacancy switch turns it off when the room empties but makes you flip it on by hand. We match the sensor type to the room and set the delay.
Single smart switch installs
We install one Wi-Fi or app-controlled switch at a device location, which is different from a whole-home system. Most smart switches need a neutral wire in the box to power their electronics, so we check for that first and tell you if your box has it before you buy the device.
What waiting can cost you
Backstabbed connections run hot
Push-in switch terminals rely on a small spring that relaxes with years of heating and cooling. A loose connection arcs, warms the device and can scorch the box, so a switch that feels warm is worth looking at now.
The wrong dimmer stresses your LEDs
Running dimmable LEDs on an incompatible dimmer causes flicker and buzz and can shorten the life of the bulbs. It is not just an annoyance, it wears out the lamps you paid for.
A failing switch hides a bigger issue
A switch that crackles or trips the breaker is sometimes the symptom, not the cause. Ignoring it can let a shared neutral or an overloaded circuit go unnoticed, which is why we diagnose rather than just swap the part.
Our process
- 01
Diagnose the device and the box
We open the switch box, check how it is wired, confirm whether there is a neutral, and find the real reason it is failing or the LEDs are flickering.
- 02
Flat-rate price after we find the cause
Once we have opened the box and know why the switch or dimmer is failing, you get a clear written price for the device and the labor, approved before we start.
- 03
Pick the right device
We match the dimmer to your LED load, the sensor type to the room, or the smart switch to your neutral situation, so you are not guessing in the lighting aisle.
- 04
Install and correct connections
We land every wire on screw terminals, correct any backstabbed or loose joints, and set three-way travelers so the switching works from every location.
- 05
Test and walk you through it
We run the light through its full range, confirm the dimmer holds steady with no flicker, show you any timer or sensor settings, and clean up.
What is included
Every switches & dimmers job from Magnify Electric includes the same standards, start to finish.
- A look inside the box to find why the switch or dimmer is failing, not just a swap.
- Backstabbed and loose connections re-landed on screw terminals.
- A dimmer sized and phase-matched to your specific LED load.
- Three-way and four-way travelers wired so every switch controls the light.
- A neutral-wire check before any smart switch so you buy the right device.
- A complimentary 54-point safety inspection of the switch legs and connected lighting circuits.
- Cleanup and a walkthrough of the new controls and any settings.
Cost factors
We give you a flat-rate price after we see the job. These are the things that move that number up or down.
The device you choose
A standard single-pole switch, a quality LED dimmer, a sensor switch and a smart switch are different price points. We tell you what each option costs before you decide.
How many switches and locations
A single switch is quick, while a three-way or four-way run, or a bank of several switches on one plate, takes more time and devices.
What the wiring needs
If the box lacks a neutral for a smart switch, or old connections have to be corrected, that affects the scope. We find this during the diagnosis and price it up front.
We work on switches in older 1970s and 1980s homes around Lakeway and Westlake, where backstabbed and two-prong-era devices are common, on LED retrofit flicker complaints across Austin and the lake communities of Lake Travis, Spicewood and Bee Cave, and on remodels in Leander and Liberty Hill where new three-way and dimmer layouts are part of the plan.
Rated by Central Texas homeowners
Real reviews from our Google Business Profile, in our customers' own words.
Chris and Caden did an amazing job installing my EV charger and helped assist me with other electrical questions I had around my house!! Very professional and kind. I highly recommend them!
Chris and Caden did a great job of installing a dedicated circuit and outlet for us. They were very thorough in checking out the existing circuit outlets and also patient with explaining everything before starting. I appreciated especially the quality of their work, their professionalism, and their willingness to throw in extra work where they saw fit at no charge. In short, I couldn’t be happier about the job they did.
Chris and Caden were awesome - they installed an entire new main panel and a new subpanel very effectively. We knew exactly what to expect at every step in the process, and now everything is up to code! If we need any additional electrical work, we will absolutely call Magnify Electric.
Trayvon is such a professional. He answers any and all questions. Does an amazing job in whatever is needed, and you’d never even know he had been here as he tidies up impeccably. He is our family’s electrician. I’d give 10 stars if able!
Felt lucky to have found Magnify Electric. Christian fixed the issue we were having with our hardwired smoke alarms, installed a whole-house surge protector, and fixed a longstanding light switch issue. He did everything with excellence and efficiency. He did a great job of communicating throughout the process. Thanks so much!
Showed as scheduled. Had to coordinate with PEC and everything went very smoothly. Christian was very professional and completed the job quickly. Very satisfied with the results. I would recommend them to do any electrical work in my home.
Switches & dimmers questions, answered
Why do my LED bulbs flicker on the dimmer?
Usually the dimmer was made for old incandescent bulbs and does not play well with the small electronic load of an LED. The fix is a dimmer rated for LEDs, with the right forward or reverse phase control for your specific bulbs, and sized to the total wattage on the circuit. We match the dimmer to your lamps so the dimming is smooth with no flicker or buzz.
Can every light be dimmed?
Only if the bulbs are marked dimmable and the fixture allows it. Many LEDs are dimmable and many are not, so we check your bulbs first. If they are not dimmable, we will tell you before installing a dimmer rather than leaving you with flicker.
What is the neutral wire my smart switch needs?
Most smart switches have electronics that need constant power, and they get it from the neutral wire in the switch box. Older homes, especially boxes wired decades ago, often do not have a neutral run to the switch. We open the box and check before you buy the device, and if there is no neutral we will tell you your options.
Can you set up one light to work from two switches?
Yes, that is a three-way setup, and for three or more locations we add four-way switches in between. It is a common request for stairways, long hallways and rooms with two doors. We wire the travelers so the light responds correctly from every switch, which is the part that trips up most do-it-yourself attempts.
My switch feels warm and crackles. Is that dangerous?
A warm or crackling switch usually means a loose or backstabbed connection that is arcing, and that is worth addressing promptly because the heat can scorch the box. If you smell burning or see sparking, turn the circuit off at the breaker if you can do it safely and call us. Do not keep using it.
What is the difference between an occupancy and a vacancy switch?
An occupancy switch turns the light on automatically when you enter and off after the room is empty, which is handy for a garage or laundry room. A vacancy switch only turns the light off on its own, so you flip it on by hand, which saves energy in rooms you do not always need lit. We match the type to how you use the space.
How much does it cost to replace a switch or add a dimmer?
It depends on the device you choose, how many switches are involved, and whether the wiring needs correcting, such as a missing neutral or backstabbed connections. If the switch is failing for an unknown reason, a diagnostic fee covers finding the cause, and once we know it you get a flat-rate price for the fix before any work begins.
Do you work on switches in older Austin and Hill Country homes?
Yes, and a lot of our switch work is in 1970s and 1980s homes around Lakeway and Westlake. Those houses often have push-in backstabbed devices and older wiring that we re-land properly on screw terminals. We are licensed and insured under TECL 29321, so the work is done to current code.
Licensed, local and upfront
Upfront
Flat-rate repair pricing you approve
Licensed
TECL 29321, Master 269417
Local
Family-owned in Spicewood since 2012
Backed
Work guaranteed and done to code
Serving Austin and the Hill Country
We are based in Spicewood and cover the lake communities, the Hill Country and greater Austin. Find your town below for local details.
Headquarters: 22503 State Highway 71 W, Spicewood, TX 78669
Related services
Lighting installation
If you are changing the fixture itself, not just the switch, that is handled here.
Learn more →Automated lighting
For whole-home scenes and automation beyond a single smart switch, start here.
Learn more →Lutron lighting control
For a full Lutron dimming and shade system rather than a single dimmer.
Learn more →Outlet and receptacle service
The same backstabbed and loose connection issues show up in outlets too.
Learn more →Troubleshooting and repair
If a switch trips the breaker or flickers, we trace the real cause first.
Learn more →Ready for switches & dimmers?
Tell us what you need and we will get back to you within one business day. For anything urgent, call us now and talk to a real person.