Few upgrades elevate a kitchen faster than a warm, shadow-free glow beneath the cabinets. But the first question our residential clients ask is simple: “What will it cost?” This guide from CountBricks breaks down every factor that drives under cabinet lighting cost, shows you how AI estimates eliminate guesswork, and explains why smart planning saves time and money on any remodel.
Typical Memphis-area installs handled by CountBricks crews run between $25 and $55 per linear foot, materials and labor combined. A 20-foot run therefore falls between $500 and $1,100. Homes with complex cabinet profiles, high-end LED bars, or smart-home integration trend toward the upper end of the spectrum.
• Fixtures: LED tape, puck lights, or rigid bars
• Drivers & transformers: size matched to total wattage
• Dimmers or smart switches: basic toggle, Wi-Fi, or voice control
• Wiring & connectors: low-voltage cable, junction boxes, raceways
• Labor: licensed electrician or qualified remodeler
LED Tape
• Most affordable per foot
• Ultra-slim profile ideal for flush cabinets
• Requires aluminum channels for heat dissipation
Puck Lights
• Spot-focused beams perfect for task zones
• Slightly higher under cabinet lighting cost due to more fixtures
• Creates attractive light pools on counters
Rigid LED Bars
• Highest light uniformity and longest lifespan
• Quick to install, lowering labor on large runs
• Premium finish options raise material budget
Retrofit vs. New Build
1. New cabinetry allows wiring before drywall is closed, cutting labor by 20-30%.
2. Retrofits require fishing wires through finished walls, raising hourly electrician time.
Licensing and Local Code
• Memphis ordinances mandate a permit when circuits are added.
• CountBricks handles permit pulls, inspections, and final sign-off, folding fees into a transparent line item so homeowners aren’t surprised.
Homeowners increasingly pair under cabinet lights with voice assistants. Integrating Zigbee or Z-Wave dimmers adds $60 to $120 in hardware plus brief programming labor. Using CountBricks voice-powered estimate generation, we model optional smart control scenarios live during your design call so you know the exact uplift before committing.
• Real-time materials pricing from regional suppliers updates nightly, locking in realistic allowances.
• Voice conversation with our estimator captures scope while you describe it, producing a detailed PDF quote in minutes.
• Digital blueprint takeoffs ensure we never miss a cabinet run, corner, or island overhang.
• Choose 3000K CCT tape instead of color-tunable strips if RGB isn’t required.
• Share one driver between adjacent cabinet runs when total wattage allows.
• Opt for manual low-profile dimmers now; upgrade to smart later—CountBricks designs wiring to accommodate future tech.
• Mount fixtures 2" behind the cabinet face frame to hide diodes and prevent glare.
• Use a dedicated low-voltage driver per 16' roll of tape to avoid voltage drop and dim corners.
• Specify 90+ CRI LEDs for truer countertop color without a major price jump.
• Install an appliance garage outlet on the same circuit to minimize wall-switch clutter.
• Seal aluminum channels with clear diffusers to block cooking grease over time.
A recent CountBricks project involved a 1920s bungalow with 18 linear feet of upper cabinets. The homeowner selected 2700K dimmable tape, aluminum channels, and a smart dimmer tied to their existing home-automation hub.
• Materials: $510
• Labor & permitting: $460
• Smart control package: $125
Total under cabinet lighting cost: $1,095
The AI-generated estimate aligned within 2% of final invoice, proving the accuracy of CountBricks technology.
CountBricks offers staged payment plans through CountBricks.com/services. A typical three-phase schedule is:
1. Day 1: Measure & confirm layout
2. Day 3: Rough-in wiring
3. Day 7: Fixture installation & final inspection
Ready to illuminate your kitchen? Start a live voice estimate at CountBricks.com/consultation or browse our photo gallery at CountBricks.com/portfolio to spark ideas. Our residential construction specialists are standing by to make your project shine—on time and on budget.
While the price per linear foot covers most homeowner concerns, seasoned contractors know a few extras can shift totals. CountBricks incorporates these “soft costs” automatically, so your proposal stays bulletproof.
• Island toe-kick LED strips often piggyback on the same driver, adding only materials—expect $10-$15 per foot.
• Inside-cabinet accent lights require glass-front doors and low-profile puck fixtures. Budget roughly $40 per cabinet.
Older homes may lack spare breaker space. CountBricks’ AI flags this during the voice consultation. If a sub-panel is required, we show a separate line item (usually $350-$500) so clients understand the impact immediately.
Because LEDs draw less than 5W per foot, most kitchens add under $10 per year to utility bills. CountBricks automatically includes a five-year operating cost column in every estimate PDF, underscoring long-term value rather than just upfront expense.
Home-center stick-on tape kits can appeal to budget-minded homeowners at $8-$12 per foot. CountBricks never discourages saving money, but we do educate:
• Kits lack heat-dissipating channels, cutting LED life by up to 50%.
• Plug-in transformers often clutter outlets and violate electrical code if hidden behind cabinets.
• Warranty claims are homeowner-handled; CountBricks fixtures carry a three-year labor and parts warranty.
If a client insists on DIY options, our team offers a hybrid plan: we handle wiring and drivers, the homeowner snaps in strip lights later. This keeps code compliance intact while trimming labor by 15-20%.
Residential builders using CountBricks.com benefit from:
• Instant change-order pricing when clients switch from tape to rigid bars.
• Cloud-stored material SKUs for easy re-orders on multi-unit developments.
• Seamless conversion of approved estimates into invoices—no double data entry.
Partner with CountBricks and turn lighting questions into signed contracts faster than ever.
Visit CountBricks.com/consultation, select “Kitchen Lighting,” and speak naturally—our AI does the rest. You’ll receive a detailed under cabinet lighting cost breakdown in your inbox before the call ends. That’s the CountBricks difference.
