What you do depends on how picky you are.

Option 3 is the simplest, but looks the worst with wire hanging. And
you would have to custom create a power cord to plug the ceiling fan
into a wall outlet (I'm assuming that's where you'll get your power)
which is risky.

Option 1 is a pain the backside, but ultimately the most permanent and
gives the best value to the room and the condo.

Option 2 is the best mix of ease and look - you can paint the raceway
to match the ceiling and you won't notice it as much.

On the other hand, if you DO have a light fixture there where you want
to put the fan (as it seems a later post indicates), you should check
to make sure the electric box is securely mounted before hanging a fan
from it. If it is, you're golden.

If it's not, you can get expansion boxes at your local hardware or
electrical supply store which have arms that extend to the side to
secure the box to the joists. You'll still have to do some
cut-and-patch, but again, this is your best option for the sake of
permanence and how it will look someday down the road when your friend
goes to sell the place.




wrote:
A friend wants to install a bedroom ceiling fan in a condo. There is
no electrical box at the location and there is a floor directly above
So, we're looking at options:

1 - Run wiring to it, but this will require cutting/patching drywall,
which means a lot of work, including repainting

2 - Using surface mount, raceway type setup

3 - Using a swag kit, which is basicly is a cord that plugs into a wall
outlet, then runs through hooks to the fan.

Will probably use a remote as the only control, which makes things
easier.

So, any opinions? Particularly any code issues regarding 2 or 3? I
didn;'t even know 3 was an option, but on the web I see fan shops
selling them.