Cost of Light Fixtures and Fittings

How much does it cost for an electrician to install a ceiling light in the UK?

The average cost of installing light fixtures will typically be around £100 depending on the complexity of the job and other factors.

There are a whole range of home lighting options available to choose from, such as kitchen light fittings, ceiling light fixtures, bedroom light fixtures, and many more. Determining what's right for you can be overwhelming, with variations in price, light quality, and brightness to consider.

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If you're curious how much new lighting features may cost to install, keep reading to discover local electrician fees, material costs, and more.

How Much Does It Cost to Change a Light Fitting?

Want to find out how much light fittings cost to install?

For a simple like-for-like replacement - such as changing one existing light fixture for a new light fixture - you can expect costs of £100 for combined material and labour costs, with the entire job taking around 1 hour to complete. This is a fairly simple job for an electrician to complete, but if your home has old electrical wiring, or the existing light fitting is hard to access, you can expect labour costs to increase with the additional time needed.

This cost assumes you're looking to install a ceiling light with existing wiring. If you need new wiring, or a complete electrical home rewire, you can expect your labour costs to rise, with the cost of home rewiring ranging from £5,500 to £7,000 for a semi-detached house.

Adding a chandelier or pendant light can transform a space, adding a focal point. Depending on the type of light fitting you choose, you can expect supply costs of around £80, together with labour costs of £50 for an electrician's fitting fees.

You can also make use of an electrician being at your property by adding in some extra electrical sockets. The cost of electrical socket installation is around £75, making it a cost-effective way of utilising the contractor's time.

New Internal Light Fixture Installation Costs

Let's take a closer look at some light fitting supply and installation costs, considering different light bulb fittings.

Spotlights and downlights are a great way of adding a sleek, modern feel to rooms, while adding extra light in specific locations. The cost of installing spotlights and downlights ranges from £300 to £500 for supply and installation, taking between 2 to 4 hours to complete depending on the job's complexity and ease of access.

New External Light Fixture Installation Costs

While you have an electrician at your property, it's cost-efficient to schedule multiple electrical changes at the same time if you know you have upgrades you want to make. This will help to negate any further call-out fees or extra fees for small jobs when you can roll them into one slightly larger project.

Adding external lights to your property can help with security while providing lighting for hosting and entertaining. Outdoor floodlights cost as little as £4 to £80 each, with labour costs of around £100.

If you want to up your outdoor security game further, outdoor motion activated lights cost between £90 to £500 for supply and installation, helping to alert you to any potential unwanted visitors.

You may want outdoor soffits installed to brighten up your property's exterior or enhance architectural features. The cost of outdoor low-voltage soffits ranges from £270 to £400 for supply and installation, depending on the volume of lights and the complexity of the installation.

Lastly, while external lighting is our main focus, installing a few outdoor plug sockets can give you an easy electrical supply for lawnmowing and other outdoor tasks. Outdoor socket installation costs £10 to £15 per single socket, with £75 to £185 added on in electrician fees to fit and install the sockets.

How to Choose the Right Light Fittings

With so many light fittings on the market, deciding what's best for your home can be overwhelming. To help you choose, you should consider:

• What's the purpose of the new lighting? - Is it purely decorative, or is it providing a functional benefit?
• Do you have a current lighting style? - If your home already has a distinct style, such as ultra-modern spotlights, you'll want to keep your lighting upgrades within the same style family.
• Are you swapping like-for-like light fittings or requiring extensive rewiring? - The former will give you lower labour fees, while the latter will raise your labour costs.

Ceiling lights are a range with possibly the biggest choice out of all internal lighting options. You can choose everything from traditional and retro light fittings, right through to the most contemporary designs.

Metal ceiling lights made from industrial materials are becoming very popular along with the ever-fashionable glass light fittings. Spotlights are very desirable right now, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, as these lights not only look great, but also allow you to focus the light exactly where you want it.

Pendant-type lights, including chandeliers and modern cluster ceiling lights, are an easy way to make a fashion statement and are the obvious choice when you need to make an impression. It's worth bearing in mind that extra wiring might be needed for these pendants and chandeliers, as well as ensuring the area you're hanging the light is suitable for the additional weight load.

When buying ceiling light fittings, there are several things to consider - but the most basic mistake to avoid is buying a light fitting you like and then trying to work out which room it might suit afterwards! You should aim to shop the other way round and look for ceiling lights to enhance a particular room.

For ceiling lights in particular, you need to consider the room's width. Narrow rooms are awkward to light, so you may want to choose track lighting, where several spotlights are mounted in a row on a track.

Track lighting and spotlights are available for rooms up to 30 metres. Height is also a crucial consideration, and you're best to avoid pendant lights and chandeliers in modern homes with low ceilings.

Key Things to Consider Before Installing New Light Fittings

• Are you simply replacing a fitting or adding new wiring? A like-for-like swap is straightforward and usually quick. If you’re installing new fittings in different positions or adding wiring, the job becomes more complex and may require sign-off under Building Regulations (Part P).
• What IP rating do you need? Lights used in bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoor areas must have the correct IP (Ingress Protection) rating. For example, bathroom fittings should generally be rated IP44 or higher for safety.
• How bright should the lighting be? Think about the size and function of the room. Kitchens and offices need brighter task lighting, while living rooms benefit from softer, layered light using multiple fittings or dimmers.
• Would LEDs or smart lighting make sense? LED fittings use less power and last longer. Smart bulbs and dimmer systems can cut energy use further, but check that they’re compatible with your existing wiring and switches.
• Is there access to the ceiling void? For downlights and new wiring, electricians need space above the ceiling. Restricted access or heavy insulation can add time or limit placement options.
• Could there be hidden issues? Old or damaged wiring, awkward access, or outdated junction boxes can extend the work. Ask your electrician to inspect before quoting to avoid surprises.
• Do you want long-term energy savings? Switching to dedicated LED fittings could save you up to £19 per year per light fitting. While the upfront cost of an LED bulb or fitting can be higher, they use up to 90% less energy and last over 10 times longer.
• Do you want smart lighting Many homeowners are now considering smart bulbs due to their convenience and efficiency. It typically costs more, but offers features like automatic scheduling, motion sensors, and dimming from your phone, which can reduce lighting costs by a further 35%.
• Is your installer qualified and certified? For any work beyond a simple like-for-like replacement, use a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT. They’ll ensure the job is tested, safe, and compliant.

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Can I Change Light Fittings Myself?

Most of us are comfortable changing light bulbs and shades, but replacing an entire light fitting is a more complex job. A simple like-for-like swap may be possible for confident DIYers, but even this carries some risk, and anything involving new wiring, switches, or ceiling access is best left to a qualified professional.

A professional installation helps:

• Keep your home safe and compliant. Electricians follow UK wiring regulations and Part P of the Building Regulations, reducing the risk of electric shock or fire.
• Ensure the work is properly tested and certified. A qualified installer can issue the correct documentation, protecting you if you later sell or rent the property.
• Spot and fix hidden wiring issues. Professionals can identify overloaded circuits, damaged cables, or unsafe connections before they cause problems.
• Protect your warranty and insurance. Manufacturers and insurers may require electrical work to be carried out by a certified tradesperson.

LED spotlights or downlights can add a sleek, modern finish to any room, but a poor installation can spoil the look and create safety risks. For the best results, it’s best to leave this type of work to a qualified electrician.

Checklist: How to Find and Hire an Electrician in the UK

Consider these key points before hiring an electrician for the job:

• Are they qualified and registered? Electricians should be fully qualified and ideally registered with a UK competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA. This confirms they meet current electrical safety standards and can self-certify their work.
• Do they have valid insurance? Always check that your electrician has public liability insurance. This protects you in case of accidental damage or injury during the job.
• Will they provide the necessary certification? Any major electrical installation, require your electrician to carry out safety tests and, where applicable, issue a certificate or compliance document under Part P of the Building Regulations. This is not needs for simple changes to fittings.
• What exactly is included in the quote? The quote should clearly list labour, materials, call-out fees, and any extra costs for new wiring, fittings, or smart controls. Ask for a fully itemised breakdown so there are no surprises later.
• Have they completed similar work before? Ask for photos or examples of previous lighting installations. Experience with the type of fitting you’re having installed (for example, downlights, pendants, or outdoor lighting) helps ensure a smoother job.
• Do they have positive reviews or references? Check feedback on MyJobQuote. Consistent comments about punctuality, neatness, and professionalism are a good sign.
• Will they handle waste removal and cleanup? Confirm whether they’ll take away old fittings, packaging, and wiring offcuts once the work is complete.
• What guarantees do they offer? Most reliable electricians provide a guarantee for their workmanship and warranty coverage for parts or fittings used.
• Have you agreed payment terms in writing? Before work begins, confirm when payments are due, whether deposits are required, and if payment is contingent on completion or certification.

It's always worth speaking with a few different electricians and comparing their prices before making a hiring decision.

Even if the first offer you get seems reasonable, getting a few quotes from local electricians helps you weigh up your options when replacing or installing new light fittings.

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