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myFitting Spotlights and Downlights Cost
At a Glance
- The average cost of installing spotlights is £400.
- It usually takes between 2 to 4 hours to install spotlights.
- A complete spotlight price guide, including different types of spotlights for you to compare costs.
- How long spotlight installation takes and what's involved.
- How to find and hire a spotlight fitter near you.
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Are you considering installing spotlights or downlights in your home? If so, you may be wondering how much this type of work costs.
On average, installing spotlights costs £400, depending on the type you choose.
In this guide, we will go over everything you need to know about installing spotlights and downlights, including the supply costs, the labour costs, and any additional costs associated with the work.
We will also go over the method of installation, the different types of spotlights and downlights, and some tips on finding the right contractors for the job.
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£400
Table of Contents
- How Much Does Fitting Spotlights and Downlights Cost?
- Supply Cost of Spotlights and Downlights
- Additional Spotlight and Downlight Installation Costs
- Labour Cost to Install Spotlights and Downlights
- Factors That Impact Spotlights and Downlight Installation Costs
- What's Involved in Fitting Spotlights and Downlights?
- Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Fitting Spotlights and Downlights
- Types of Spotlights and Downlights
- Checklist: Hiring Contractors for Fitting Spotlights and Downlights
How Much Does Fitting Spotlights and Downlights Cost?
Lighting can make a huge difference to your home, and choosing the right lights is important. Downlights are very common in British homes. Installing downlights or spotlights is a standard job for any qualified electrician. These lights can add a modern, sleek touch to any room of the home.
So, how much does it cost to install spotlights and downlights?
The average cost for installing spotlights and downlights is around £300 to £500. The price will depend on how accessible the existing wiring is, the number of spotlights needed, and your location in the UK.
Those based in the London area can expect to pay more for the electrician work than those based in the North or other parts of the UK. This is because labour costs, in general, are typically higher in this area.
I have 2 lights in my kitchen/diner, and I'm looking to replace them with a dozen spotlights. These will need to be fitted from underneath, i.e., not taking the carpet up from above. What should I expect to pay for the job, and will a plasterer be needed after?
"It depends on quite a few things. For the work itself, you could expect to pay £7 to £35 per light (dependent on quality), then a price of around £150 to £200 for the work. It will need repairing after the work is done, but this can just be patched up."
Spotlight and Downlight Installation Prices
Below is a table showing the average cost of fitting downlights in your home:
| Job Description | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Supply and installation of downlights in one room | £300 - £500 |
| Supply and installation of downlights in the whole house | £1,000 - £4,000 |
| Downlight/spotlight costs (Supply Only) | £20 - £75 |
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Supply Cost of Spotlights and Downlights
If you are interested in replacing downlights yourself or want to purchase the downlights or spotlights first and then find an electrician to fit them later, you might be interested in the cost of the lights themselves without factoring in the cost of the labour.
The average cost of the lights themselves is around £20 to £75. The more lights you need, the more you can expect to pay for them.
Halogen bulbs are much cheaper to buy than LED bulbs. However, these have much poorer energy efficiency when compared to LED bulbs. LED bulbs are around £20 per bulb on average. However, they can be up to around £75 depending on the type of light you choose.
LED bulbs come with huge cost savings. They use much less energy than halogen bulbs, and they also last for around seven to eight years. LED spotlights and downlights are very energy efficient, so these are usually the most common options for bulbs in these lights.
Additional Spotlight and Downlight Installation Costs
There are several additional costs that you may also need to consider when installing ceiling spotlights or downlights. Below is a list of the additional things that you may need to budget for with this type of work:
Ceiling Repair or Replacement
When you are getting your lights changed, you may notice some damage or imperfections on the ceiling. If so, this may mean that you need to get some ceiling repairs or a ceiling replacement completed before you go through with the new light work.
On average, replacing a ceiling costs around £400 to £1,000.
Plastering
If the walls of the room and the ceiling are looking a bit uneven, tired, and old, you may want to plaster the room before adding any additional items of décor to the room, including the lights.
The price you pay for plastering a room will depend on the size of the room. However, you can expect to pay roughly £400 to £1,500 in replastering costs.
Decorating a Room
If you are installing the new light fittings as a way of improving the overall look of your room, then you may wish to consider also decorating the room in more ways.
This might include painting the room a new colour. The average cost to paint a room is around £300 to £500. This price will depend on the room's size and the paint's quality.
If you want a different look, you may want to opt for wallpaper instead. The cost of wallpaper installation starts at £300, depending on the size of your room.
Smart Lighting
You may want to improve your home's energy efficiency, and installing smart lighting can be a great way of achieving that.
On average, smart lighting installation costs around £85, with bulbs ranging from £50 to £100 for supply and installation.
My house has Artex ceilings which may have asbestos too, as the house is from the 70s. I want to have spotlights installed in the living room and kitchen, and the ceiling plastered and skimmed. Do I have to get the ceilings plastered first and then the lights installed? What are the safety considerations around making holes in a ceiling that possibly contains asbestos?
"You should have any asbestos issues resolved firstly, then an electrician to wire your spotlights, as there is no knowing how much damage could be done by the electrician, then lastly the plasterer."
Labour Cost to Install Spotlights and Downlights
If you are planning on purchasing your spotlights and downlights separately and then finding a contractor to fit them at a later date for you, then you may be wondering what the labour costs are for this type of work.
You will need a qualified electrician to install your new spotlights or downlights for you. This is because bad wiring could lead to potential fire hazards, which can put you, your family, and your home in danger.
The average cost to hire an electrician is around £150 to £200 per day. This will depend on your location as those based in the London area will pay more for the labour costs than those based in the North or other areas in the UK.
On average, fitting spotlights and downlights will take around 2 to 4 hours per room. However, this can vary depending on the number of lights being fitted and the extent of the electrical work needed.
Factors That Impact Spotlights and Downlight Installation Costs
There are several things that can affect the overall cost of fitting downlights or spotlights. Below is a list of the things that may have an impact on the overall price you pay for this work:
Additional Electrical Work
When installing downlights or spotlights, the electrical work needed can affect the overall cost of the job. This is because electrical work can take time to install.
The electrician may need to feed additional electrical cables to reach the new lights in their given location. The more additional electrical work is needed, the longer the job will take, and this will, therefore, result in higher labour costs.
Location of Property
The location of your property can also affect the overall cost of the job. Those in the London area can expect to pay more for the electrician work than those in the North or other parts of the UK. This is because labour costs, in general, are typically higher in this area.
Type of Lights
The type of lights that you choose will also affect the overall cost of the job. As we've mentioned earlier, downlights and spotlights can range in price. The more expensive your lights are, the higher the overall costs. Some lights are also more difficult to install than others and may require more electrical work, which can add on more costs.
Number of Lights
The number of lights that you need may also increase the cost. For example, if you fit downlights or spotlights in just one room, this will be cheaper than if you are planning on installing them in multiple rooms. Similarly, the more lights you want in each room, the higher the costs.
What's Involved in Fitting Spotlights and Downlights?
It’s important that you hire a professional electrician to install spotlights and downlights for you. You shouldn't attempt to install them yourself as faulty or incorrect electrical work can not only be dangerous, but may also invalidate your home insurance in the event of an accident.
When it comes to finding an electrician in your area, it's usual practice (and highly recommended) that you receive quotes from more than one person. MyJobQuote is here to help you find someone suitable, without any obligation to go ahead further.
As for what's involved once you've hired an electrician to carry out the work, we've provided the step-by-step guide outlined below.
Before Installation
- Take measurements — The electrician measures and marks the ceiling at the centre point of the light and drills a small pilot hole.
- Safety checks — They will also check there aren't any joists, pipework or electrical wires in the way before proceeding.
During Installation
- Cut the hole — A hole saw is used to cut an appropriate circular hole for the downlight to fit into the ceiling.
- Feed wiring — The electrical wiring is then fed through to the hole so the downlight can be connected.
- Fit the downlight — With the spring clips held back, the downlight is then pushed into the hole so the spring clips lie flat.
After Installation
- Check placement — Ensure the downlight is flush with the ceiling and the lighting sits securely in place.
- Test the light — The electrician will switch on the power and confirm the spotlight or downlight is working correctly.
Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Fitting Spotlights and Downlights
When it comes to fitting spotlights and downlights in your home, you won’t usually need to worry about building regulations, providing the work meets the proper electrical standards required. This is why it's recommended to hire a professional electrician to carry out this type of work on your behalf.
If you live in a listed building, conservation area, or have any other restrictions, you may need to apply for planning permission before installing any new lighting. If in doubt, it’s best to check with your local authority to confirm if you require permission before arranging to start the work.
I've read that you need to leave an air gap around downlighters to stop them from overheating. Do they all need this? And is there a standard-sized gap?
"Depends on wattage of downlight, halogen need the gap due to heat build up, we used to leave at least 150mm around the unit to allow heat to reduce. The more modern LEDs don't produce the same heat, so we only leave 75mm around these."
Types of Spotlights and Downlights
There are several different types of downlights or spotlights to choose from. Below is a list of the different types of lights that you can buy to help you make the right choice for your home:
Recessed Downlights
These are the most popular downlight types and are common in UK homes. With this type of fitting, you will only see the front of the fitting, which is parallel to the ceiling, making it blend in with the ceiling in a flush design. Alternatively, these can be used with a decorative bezel if you want to make more of a statement.
Surface Downlights
Surface downlights are also common in UK homes where the ceiling is unsuitable for installing recessed downlights. With this type of light, the body of the light is clearly visible once the installation is complete. Surface downlights can vary in style and type from simple to very decorative since the fitting is visible.
Pendant Downlights
Pendant downlights are great for their aesthetics as they vary in style to suit any surrounding design. They come in many different styles, from modern to traditional to contemporary. The body of this type of light is very prominent as it is installed by hanging the light fitting to the ceiling.
In addition to the wide variety of designs, this type of light also comes with varying light distributions that can add to the decorative effects while also functioning as a way of illuminating the room.
Semi-Recessed Downlights
With this type of light, the main body of a semi-recessed downlight is installed into the ceiling, similar to a fully recessed light. However, some of the bezels will be slightly protruding. This type of light is best suited to homes that wish to highlight a feature ceiling.
Checklist: Hiring Contractors for Fitting Spotlights and Downlights
You may need to consider several points when finding the right electrician to carry out your downlight or spotlight installation. Below is a list of some things you should think about when finding the appropriate contractor for the job:
- Does the contractor provide a guarantee? – It’s important to know if the electrician offers a guarantee on their work and that they take responsibility for any problems during or after installation.
- Are they qualified and registered? – Check the electrician is fully qualified, and registered with a recognised body such as NICEIC or NAPIT, and legally allowed to carry out electrical work safely.
- Do they have experience with similar installations? – Ensure they have experience with installing downlights or spotlights and ideally have completed similar work several times previously.
- Are any additional contractors or materials needed? – For example, you might need a plasterer if ceiling repairs are required, or if you need to provide materials for the electrician to complete the job. Confirm if this is all included in the price before agreeing to go ahead.
- How much will the installation cost? – Ask for a breakdown of the costs and an estimated timeframe, this should be broken down accordingly so you know exactly what you're paying for and so there are no hidden extras.
- Will the contractor handle waste removal? – Confirm whether disposing of any packaging, old fixtures, and other waste generated during the job is to be removed or is left to you once the work is completed.
- Do they have examples of similar work? - Look for before and after photos on their MyJobQuote profile so you can get an idea of what to expect or ask friends and family for recommendations.
- How do you find electricians locally? – Search online via MyJobQuote for local electricians in your area, check feedback and reviews before making a decision and request a quote without any further commitments.
FAQs
What Is the Difference Between Downlights and Spotlights?
Although the way they operate is similar, downlights are usually mounted into the ceiling, whereas spotlights are ideal for directing light onto specific objects or areas. They can also be used when it isn't practical for recessed downlighting to be installed.
What Are Fire-Rated Downlights?
A fire-rated downlight is a recessed ceiling light with a fire rating that matches the ceiling. It prevents overheating and helps slow the spread of fire by sealing the hole where it is installed.
What Are the Risks of Fitting Yourself?
Unless you are a qualified electrician, fitting spotlights and downlights is not a job suitable for DIY. Not only do you risk getting an electric shock or worse, faulty wiring can lead to serious damage to your electrical system or even cause a house fire.
How Do I Make a Downlight Hole Smaller?
If your downlight hole is too big, it can be made smaller with the use of a downlight conversion kit. This uses a circular conversion plate, which reduces the size of the original hole.
Can I Install Dimmable Spotlights or Downlights?
Yes, providing both the bulbs in your downlights or spotlights and the dimmer switch are compatible. Using incompatible bulbs or dimmers can cause flickering, buzzing, or reduce the lifespan of your lights. Always check the product specifications or consult a qualified electrician before installation.
How Do You Remove an LED Downlight Light Bulb?
To replace an LED downlight, first turn off the switch and allow the bulb to cool. Pull down the rim trim to access the spring clips. When the wire is exposed you should see an exposed plug, allowing you to remove and then replace the unit. However, be mindful that some LED lights are integrated and cannot be replaced.
