How difficult is it to replace a ceiling fan for a first-time DIY installation?

How hard is it to replace a ceiling fan? Never had to replace one, first time. Thanks in advance.

Hi Rosa-Not hard at all. Since it's your first time (excuse me for saying this) read the instructions. Above all, make sure the power is off at your circuit breaker panel before you begin installation.  If you have a voltmeter available, verify that the power is off.  It's normal to see a volt or two on the meter even if the breaker is off, but any more than that means it's not safe to work on it.A word of caution- the junction box in the ceiling will have to support the weight of the fan. Make sure to inspect the junction box, and even give it a good tug to make sure it is secure before attaching the fan to it. I'd hate for it to fall on your head.If you have a small kitchen scale, weigh the blades before you install them.  If the weights are different,  try to balance them by putting similar weights on opposite sides of the fan.  This will ensure that it doesn't wobble.If the fan is reversible, run it counterclockwise (blowing down) in the summer and clockwise (upward flow) in the winter. By the time you're ready to do the second one you'll be an expert!-Rick

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Rosa, it can be a little more complicated....some fans have multi-speed controls and that means a few more wires.  You may find that your old one had less wires or more wires than the new one, if fewer, you're in trouble. As Rick says, read the instructions, and make sure that the wires from the switch go to the correct wires on the fan - there may be color changes along the way.  All Rick's (and Mike's) advice is good, but I'd point out that in some countries (Australia where I live is one) you HAVE to get such work done by a licensed electrician, and I'd suggest that if you're at all unsure of what you're doing, you bite the bullet and do that.   You can kill yourself fairly easily otherwise.... Ceiling fans are like lovers, it's not worth dying for one

Just as a PS to the above....you should not have problems as most ceiling fans these days come with a remote control and only need live, neutral and earth wires.  If your fan is one of these, as Rick and Mike say, it's not hard!