moving ceiling light ffixture

The ceiling outlet in my kitchen is not in the center of the room. I would like to move it about a foot and install a ceiling fan. Could you please give me some ideas on how to tackle this. Thanks.

 

The simple answer is install a new box at the new location and run a piece of nm cable from the old box to the new box. Put a blank cover over the old box.

There are several other solutions. How many wires are in the old box? Is there an accessable attic space above? Can you fish wire from the new box to a the switch box? Is the power source at the light or the switch? Do you want to remove the old box completely so that you can patch the hole? Answer all these questions and I can give a best case guess as to what will work best.

 

I am going to have to install a whole new box and patch the ceiling - that is not too much of a problem - there is no attic above this ceiling - its a two story home - i have not removed the existing light fixture yet so I don't know how many wires or whether I can fish the wires - and it is controlled by a wall switch. I can check on the wire situation in the box if it would be helpful. Thanks for your help

 

The main problem you have is that you can not make a connection that is not in a box. You also can not cover over a box. It must be accessable. With no attic you are going to have to leave a blank cover on the old box or fish new wires so that there are no connections at the old loaction. If you had and attic above the connection could be in the attic and still be considered accessable.
If you are lucky the only wire in the box comes from the switch and you are moving the box closer to the switch. This way you can move the box and the wire and a connection will not be required.
You also need a box rated to hold the weight of a fan.

 

I would be moving the box closer to the switch but I suspect that the wires go from that box in the kitchen to the one in the dining room next door - if I move it away from the dining room the wire itself would be short would it not?? I just checked the fuse panel and the both ceiling outlets are on the same circuit so i think i am messed up to just move it - does that sound right??
Could I leave a blank cover over the old box and just paint it to match the ceiling? Do they make some covers that are decent looking or just blank sheet metal?
I appreciate your help.

 

The only way you're going to tell is to look. Do this:[list=1][*]Use a stud finder to find where the joists are and which direction they run.[*]Determine exactly where you want your new fan, whether it is directly below a joist or between two joists, and whether there is a joist between the existing box and where you want the new fan.[*]Cut a hole where you want the new fan. The hole will be the exact size of a round fan-rated box. That will allow you to look (with a flashlight and a mirror) to see if the existing cable will reach the new hole.[*]If the existing cable will reach the new hole, just remove the old box and swing the cable over (you may have to remove a staple). Patch the old hole, or perhaps a medallion on the new hole will cover it if they are close enough together.[*]If the existing cable will not reach the new hole, install a new cable between the old box and new hole and make the splices in the old box. If there is a joist in the way, you should be able to drill a hole in it by sticking a drill up through the new hole. Then put a blank cover plate on the old box.[*]Install a fan-rated pancake box (if the hole is under a joist), or a fan brace kit (if between joists).[*]Mount your fan.[*]Have a beer.[/list=1]

 

Thank you so much for all your help. I think I can do this now.

 

Yes you can leave a blank cover over the old box and paint it.