I had a similar issue with the snow thrower on my Cub, but for me it was partially a brightness issue (corrected by replacing the bulbs with LED's), and partially a placement issue - the snow thrower is almost as high as the headlights. Realizing that the issue is similar to snow plows, here's what I did... I picked-up a couple auxiliary LED lights off eBay. I tried one about the size of a thumb, that had a single LED. It was OK, but I also tried one that's about 2.5" square, with 3 LED's, that throws a little wider beam. Using a couple simple "L" brackets, I mounted these using existing hood hinge screws. This placed the lights about 6" higher, and a few inches further from center, than the existing lights I wired-in a quick-connect to the original lights, so I could unplug those and plug these-in - just like a snow plow. These pull a little more current than the stock bulbs, but I don't use it that often at night, and have the tractor on a battery tender when not in use, so I really don't worry about the extra draw. I have about $15 in supplies, and maybe a hour's time in modifications. It maybe adds 5 minutes to the mower-to-snow change-over, but really helps on those darker winter nights.

Is the new beam sized properly for it's future use- carrying the new 2x12's for living space, or just sized to carry ceiling joists for an attic? No point in doing the latter if it has to be re-engineered down the road. I would do the work from below, not above. I'd get some temporary walls in first,about four feet apart; cut out 3 feet of ceiling, and fit the new girder from below. IMO it's much easier to lift it in than to deal with moving wires so it can drop in. Allow an extra quarter inch when trimming the ceiling joists. Put a nail in every hole of each joist hanger. It's easy. The point loads at either end of the girder must bear through to foundation. Look at what you have at the stair well- a rim joist is okay, too, but not a double plate by itelf. Casey

Having questions about a project with the potential lethality of yours is a good thing! Knowledge is always a good thing to seek to gain. However, knowledge and experience are two different things. Even if you find a zillion internet resources that tell you how to cook meth, you can bet that there are more than a few out there who create a toxic mess or have it blow up in their face when they think they understand the instructions. Bottom line is, you need to have a professional do this portion of your job. And pay attention. And help if he'll let you. (He'll probably charge extra for that training IF he is even open to that!) It's only after you have you've been there in person and helped with a few yourself that you would be qualified to understand the minute details in positioning the supports that make the difference between success and an (denied) insurance claim. And please don't use the old line, "It's not rocket science," because you're wrong. It IS the same math calculations and knowledge that was needed to send men to the moon. Just at a lower applied level. There is NO shame in seeking the help of an experienced pro for a job. There's plenty of blame though when a job goes wrong when an amateur attempts to implement a professional's design. With you being at the top of the responsibility list.

We have wooden beams in our living room and our ceiling fan is installed on the middle one. While we weren't responsible for installation (thankfully, ha!) there are not visible wires as they are run through the beam. Not sure of cost, unfortunately.