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How to Replace a Light Switch

Is your light switch making a popping or crackling sound when you flip it? Would you like to upgrade its style or functionality? Or is your switch just broken? If any of these apply to you here are seven easy steps to replacing a light switch yourself.


Tools You’ll Need: Screwdriver, Wire Cutters, Wire Strippers, Wire Tester, Utility Knife, Flashlight or other portable light source
Step 1: Cut Circuit Power to the Switch
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Before starting any electrical project, cut the power to that circuit to avoid getting electrocuted. Go to your electrical panel or fuse box to find which circuit to turn off. Always check and double check for safety!

Pro Tip: Many panels are labeled, but some aren’t. Go through your circuits with the lights on so you can see when power to your switch goes off. If you’re not in the same area as the one to which you’re trying to break power, have someone stand in that area and call to you when the light goes off. Now might be a great time to add labels that might be missing or misleading.
Step 2: Remove the Old Switch
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Start by removing the old cover plate, using your screwdriver. If the plate will still fit your new switch and if it isn’t cracked or broken, set it aside to use again. Otherwise, you won’t need this plate anymore. Next, unscrew the switch from the wall and pull the switch out of the wall box. At this point, if you have a wire tester, you’ll want to test the wires to be certain there is no power flowing to the switch.

Pro Tip: Occasionally, the faceplate or the switch can be painted over, making them difficult to remove. You may need to use the utility knife to score the edges of the plate or switch to break it free and avoid pulling paint from the wall.
Step 3: Disconnect Wires from the Old Switch
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Take a look at your switch and see where the existing wires are connected. Either take a picture of the wires with your phone or label each of the wires so you know where to reconnect the new switch. Using your wire cutters, snip the wires connected to your old switch. Once your wires are cut, you’ll use wire strippers to give you a clean edge.

Pro Tip: If your wires are pretty short, you can lengthen them by creating what’s called a pigtail. For instructions, click here:
How to Make a Pigtail
Step 4: Connect the New Switch
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Make sure you pay attention to which wires you are connecting to which terminal. It can help to double check the wire labels you made.

Pro Tip: Wrap the wire clockwise around the screw so that it forms a snug fit as you tighten the screw. You want this to fit very tight. Loose fittings can cause electricity arcs that could be a potential fire hazard.
Step 5: Replace the Switch
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Once your wires are connected and the screws are firmly tightened down, bend the wires back like an accordion and replace the wires in the box. Line up the switch with the holes in the wall and screw the new outlet into place.

Pro Tip: At this point, it’s important to check that the switch is oriented correctly and not upside-down. Make sure the “on” and “off” labels are legible when you put the switch in; namely, when you flip the switch up, the light comes on and when you flip the switch down, the light goes off.
Step 6: Install the Faceplate
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Place the faceplate back on, over the switch. Screw the cover plate into place, making sure not to over tighten the screw, as this can cause the plate to crack or break.
Step 7: Turn the Power Back On and Test
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Flip the breaker switch or replace the fuse in your control panel to restore power. Flip your new switch to make sure the light comes on.
If you feel uncertain or that you may have gotten in over your head at any point, call an electrician you trust for help. If you don't already have an electrician you trust, give Any Hour Services a call. We’d be happy to send out one of our certified technicians to help with any of your electrical needs.
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Logo for Any Hour Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air featuring a smiling technician with crossed arms, a stopwatch, and a bold, professional tone.

Any Hour Services

1374 West 130 South, Orem, UT 84058

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© 2024 Any Hour Services LLC

Pricing FAQ

A:

Our pricing is fair and transparent. We use a fixed-price guide that reflects the time, materials, and real costs of running a dependable home services business. No hourly rates. No inflated prices based on where you live. We focus on what it takes to get the job done—not on how much we can charge.

Before we price your drains or excavation project, our expert technician will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

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A: We price the job—not the clock. Hourly rates can be unpredictable, leaving you unsure of the final cost until the job is done. We believe in upfront, fixed pricing based on the work itself—not guesswork. You won’t pay for delays or mistakes, and we hold ourselves accountable to ensure there are no surprises.

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We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

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Requesting a quote is simple. Contact Any Hour Services, and we will assess your needs, providing a transparent estimate for the repairs.

We also provide FREE estimates and second opinions for major plumbing and excavation projects like repiping, sewer or water line replacements, remodels, and outdoor drain installs. Our team will evaluate the job in person, explain your options, and give you clear, upfront pricing. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just honest answers and expert service.

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Yes, you can request a quote online—our team at Any Hour Services responds promptly to every inquiry.

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We offer a $29 Drain Clear for single, easy-access drains. A licensed plumber will inspect the issue, clear out buildup like grease or debris, and get things flowing again. It’s a simple, affordable way to fix slow drains and help protect your plumbing from bigger problems down the line.

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Yes, we provide FREE estimates for sewer main line replacements. If you are looking to replace your sewer main line, one of our expert technicians will come to your home and inspect your sewer main line, before showing you your options. Call us if you have questions about replacing your sewer main line—we’re here to help!

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You can pay for your service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies (On Approved Credit). Your technician can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want done.

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A:

Our phone staff are not expert technicians, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained technician needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

Call Now

A:

Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a trained technician can assess the job properly.

Call Now

A:

A: We have a small dispatch fee to send our technician to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your technician will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

Call Now

Pricing FAQ

A:

Our pricing is fair and transparent. We use a fixed-price guide that reflects the time, materials, and real costs of running a dependable home services business. No hourly rates. No inflated prices based on where you live. We focus on what it takes to get the job done—not on how much we can charge.

Before we price your plumbing job, our licensed plumber will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

Call Now

A:

We price the job—not the clock. Hourly rates can be unpredictable, leaving you unsure of the final cost until the job is done. We believe in upfront, fixed pricing based on the work itself—not guesswork. You won’t pay for delays or mistakes, and we hold ourselves accountable to ensure there are no surprises.

Call Now

A:

We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

Call Now

A:

Water heater replacements vary. Often, older units require updates to meet safety standards. Common items missing from many water heaters are flexible gas lines, expansion tanks, earthquake straps, gas sediment trap, upgrade exhaust venting, etc.

For an accurate quote, one of our licensed plumbers will inspect your existing system and provide a FREE estimate.

Call Now

A:

Our phone staff are not licensed plumbers, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained plumber needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

Call Now

A:

Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a licensed plumber can assess the job properly.

Call Now

A:

We have a small dispatch fee to send our plumber to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your plumber will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

Call Now

A:

Yes! We offer FREE in-home estimates for major projects like water heater installations, water softeners, and repiping—without any dispatch fee. Our licensed plumber will assess the job, explain your options, and provide a clear, fixed price. No surprises or hourly rates—just honest, reliable service. Schedule your FREE estimate today!

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No, our plumbers don’t quote a price until they have seen your plumbing project. Once they quote a price, it doesn’t change, no matter how long it takes. At any time, if you want to add more tasks to your plumbing project, your plumber will let you know how much it would cost to perform the extra work.

Call Now

A:

You can pay for your plumbing service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we do have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies, OAC. Your plumber can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want completed.

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