An apparatus for mounting a recessed electric fixture in a hole in a support surface having a front side and a back side, the electric fixture having a housing and a flange perpendicular to the housing with apertures adapted to receive a tightening member, the apparatus comprising a flexible member having first and second ends, a first spring clip attached to the first end of the flexible member, and a second spring clip attached to the second end of the flexible member, the first and second spring clips having a tightening section for receiving a tightening member, a surface-bearing section for bearing against the back side of the support surface, and a connecting section connecting the tightening section and the surface-bearing section, whereby when tightening members are inserted through the apertures in the flange and received in the threaded section of the first and second spring clips, pressure applied to the tightening members causes the flexible member to bend so that the first and second spring clips are moved inwardly towards the center of the housing so that the first and second spring clips and the flexible member can pass through the hole and whereby the flexible member unbends when the pressure on the tightening members is removed causing the first and spring clips to move outwardly away from the center of the housing so the surface-bearing section bears against the back side of the support surface to retain the electric fixture in the support surface hole.