Security Light Installation Cost

How Much Does Security Light Installation Cost?

For most homes, the cost to install security lights comes in at around £300. The final price depends on the type of light you choose, how many you’re having fitted, and how tricky they are to wire in.

Because you’re working with electrics outdoors, it’s a job for a qualified electrician rather than a casual DIY job. That way, everything’s wired safely, and you’re not guessing with cables and connections.

For example, floodlights will cost around £80 to £180 to install, whereas motion sensor lights can cost about £90 to £500. On average, you can expect to pay somewhere between £80 and £1,100 for outdoor security lights.

Security Light Installation Prices

The table below indicates the average costs that you can expect when it comes to installing security lights:

Security Light Costs

If you plan to buy the light yourself before the installation, you may be curious about how much you can expect to pay for a light.

Below is a list of the prices for the light alone without the cost of labour:

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Additional Security Light Installation Cost

When it comes to installing security lights, there are several additional costs that you may need to consider. Below is a list of those extra costs that you might need to think about:

Security Alarm

When installing a security light, you may also want to accompany the light with a security alarm for added peace of mind. Alarms are great for notifying you when intruders are near and can be very helpful at deterring potential burglars.

The average cost for fitting a security alarm is around £125 to £500. The overall cost will depend on the type of alarm and your location in the UK.

CCTV System

If you are interested in adding even more security to your home, you may be interested in installing a CCTV system. The cost of installing CCTV will depend mostly on the number of cameras you wish to have installed. The average price for installing a CCTV system is around £350 to £2,500.

Labour Cost to Install Security Lights & Timescales

Installing security lights is not a hugely extensive job, therefore, an electrician will usually work alone when completing this type of work. One security light can be fitted in around 1 to 2 hours. If you are installing multiple lights, it could take a few hours or up to a day to complete.

Most electricians will charge around £150 to £200 per day for the labour costs. They will usually charge a minimum of half a day's work, so you can expect to pay a minimum price of around £75 to £100 for the labour costs.

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Factors That Impact Security Light Installation Costs

You may need to consider several factors when working out the overall cost that you can expect to pay for your security lights. Below is a list of the main cost-affecting factors that you may need to consider:

Type of Lights

Security light installation costs depend heavily on the type of light you want.

For example, if you're on a tight budget, you may choose to have landscape lights that cost as little as £2 each. However, more powerful security lights that cover more area can cost £1,000 or more.

With this in mind, the type of light you choose is a huge factor in the price you can expect to pay.

Positioning of Lights

The positioning of the lights can affect the overall cost of the job, as it'll impact how easy the job is to complete.

For example, additional wiring may be needed depending on where the lights are placed. The ease of access to the area can also affect the cost. The more difficult the job is to complete, the longer it will take, so the labour costs will increase.

Location of Property

The location of your property can also play a role in the overall amount that you pay for the job.

Those based in and around the London area can expect to pay around £30 to £100 more in labour costs for fitting security lights than homeowners based in the north or other parts of the UK.

What's Involved in Security Light Installation?

You may be curious about what's involved with installing a new security light at your home. Although light installations can differ, your electrician will most likely take the following steps when installing your outdoor security light:

• The contractor will begin by ensuring that all of the power is cut off so that the job can be completed safely.
• The area will then be prepared by drilling holes where your lights are being installed. They will then line the holes with plastic conduit before feeding the appropriate cables through the holes.
• Once the cables have been fed through, the contractor will connect the cable cores to the appropriate terminals.
• They will then secure the cables with PVC electrical tape.
• Once the cable work is complete, the installer will fit the light in place and add sealant.
• Once the light is in place, the contractor will install a light switch inside the property by feeding the light supply cable back into the property.
• Once all of this is complete, the installer will then test the light to ensure that it is working properly and that it is safe.

Can I Install Security Lights Myself?

If you are on a tight budget and looking to reduce your security light installation costs, then you may wish to install the light yourself. This can save you a good chunk of money.

However, you must have some knowledge about electrics to ensure the light installation is safe.

If you don't have any previous experience with installing lights, then it is not recommended that you attempt to install a security light yourself, as it can be very dangerous if you don't install the light correctly. You or your family may be prone to shocks, or the light could be a fire hazard if not installed correctly.

If you are competent at DIY projects, you may save some money by preparing the area for the installer. You can do this by removing any previous lights or removing any obstacles and drilling the holes ready for the installation.

If you complete the entire job as a DIY project, you will need to ensure that all of the work complies with the building regulations and rules.

Types of Security Lights

There are several different types of security lights that you can choose from. To help you decide which type of security light is right for you, we have created the following list with information about each type and the pros and cons of each:

Motion Sensor Security Lights

Most properties in the UK choose motion sensor security lights because these lights only operate when there is movement around the vicinity of your home. The average cost for motion sensor lights is around £10 to £50 each, although this can vary depending on the style and variety of the light.

Motion sensor lights are great for reducing your energy bills as they only come on when they need to. However, the downside of motion sensor lights is that they are hard to control as they can sometimes come on when it's not needed, such as if a neighbour walks by your home or if leaves are blowing around.

The lights also don't stay on for very long, making them the wrong option if you're looking for lighting that allows you to sit out in your garden in the evening.

Pros

• ✔ Cheap price.
• ✔ Energy efficient.
• ✔ Provide adequate lighting.
• ✔ Come on automatically.

Cons

• ✖ Hard to control.
• ✖ Not great if you need lighting for long periods.

Floodlights

Floodlights are another popular type of security lighting. The average cost for floodlights is around £4 to £80 per light. However, this will depend on the size and style of the light. Floodlights are great because they are very long-lasting, especially when they have LED bulbs.

They are also very safe as they're weatherproof, which can help to reduce the risks of fire or electrical accidents. A single domestic floodlight might not be enough to cover a very large garden or driveway, so you may need more than one fitting to light a big area evenly.

Pros

• ✔ Low priced.
• ✔ High intensity.
• ✔ Long-lasting.
• ✔ Weatherproof.
• ✔ Reduced risks of fire or electrical incidents.

Cons

• ✖ Not great for covering large areas.
• ✖ Multiple lights can cost a lot.

Landscape Security Lights

Landscape security lights come in various styles, such as pathway lights, LED ground lights, and decking lights. The price you will pay for these lights will depend on the style that you choose.

The costs can range from £2 to £1,000+. One of the main benefits of these lights is that they really light up the outside of your property, making it much more secure and safe and less appealing to intruders.

The downside of these lights is that they can be quite difficult to install and can also increase your electrical bills by quite a lot. This is because there tend to be many lights installed, and they are usually on for long periods.

Pros

• ✔ Many styles available.
• ✔ Provide a lot of lighting.
• ✔ Increase security and safety of your home.
• ✔ Many styles are aesthetically pleasing.

Cons

• ✖ It can be difficult to install.
• ✖ It can be expensive to buy.
• ✖ It can be costly to run.

Spotlights

Security spotlights are narrow beams of intense lights usually installed along walkways or exterior walls for an aesthetically pleasing look. This type of light tends to cost around £8 to £400 for the lights themselves. The main advantage of these lights is that they are very long-lasting and very durable.

However, one problem with this type of light is that many of them use regular bulbs, which can be prone to blowing. With this in mind, you may want to pay extra for LED bulbs to ensure the lights are long-lasting.

Pros

• ✔ Provide a lot of light.
• ✔ Very long-lasting.
• ✔ Durable.
• ✔ Waterproof.

Cons

• ✖ Bulbs can be prone to blowing.
• ✖ May have to pay extra for LED bulbs.

Solar-Powered Security Lights

Solar-powered lights are a great option for outdoor lighting as they use power from the sun and don't require any electrical wiring to work. These lights tend to be very affordable and cost around £1 to £20 per light.

The main advantages of these lights are the fact that there is no running cost and they are very easy to install. Most people can install these lights themselves as a simple DIY job.

One downside is that they have a much lower output, so they don't provide much light on their own. This means you may need to buy quite a few of these lights for them to make a difference. In gloomy winter months they can also be much dimmer or only stay on for a short time.

Pros

• ✔ Low prices.
• ✔ Easy to install.
• ✔ Free to run.

Cons

• ✖ Don't provide much light.
• ✖ Must be placed in direct sunlight to work.

Building Regulations & Planning Permission for Security Light Fittings

For most homes, you won’t need planning permission to add external security lights. The main thing is to avoid causing a nuisance with glare or light spilling onto neighbours’ properties, and to be aware that listed buildings or conservation areas can have extra rules.

You should try to hire an electrician that is registered with the competent person scheme. If you do not do this, you will need to make an application to your local authority building control department or approved inspectors to come and look over the completed work.

You are required to install energy-efficient lighting in most circumstances, as the general aim is to make buildings as energy-efficient as possible. For external lights, Building Regulations generally expect a lamp capacity of 150 watts or less per fitting, with automatic controls that switch the light off when there’s enough daylight and when it’s not needed at night.

In many cases, the light fittings should also have sockets that can only be used with lamps that have an energy efficacy greater than 40 lumens per circuit watt.

A competent electrician should have the knowledge needed to carry out the work according to the building regulation rules. If you live in a listed building, you may need extra permissions before installing lights or cameras.

For more advice on planning permission and building regulations, you should get in touch with your local authority for some advice.

Checklist: Hiring an Electrician to Install Security Lights

Don’t be too hasty to book in your local electrician – run through a few simple checks first. It’ll help you dodge cowboys and know exactly what you’re paying for:

• Are they a skilled electrician? Look for someone who’s properly qualified and registered with a familiar body, as the last thing you want is your wiring to be unsafe and below standard.
• Do they fit security lights much? Ask if they’ve installed the type of lights you want before – motion sensors, floodlights, smart lights, the lot. If they’ve done similar jobs, they’ll work faster and make neater choices on placement.
• Is the quote broken down easily and concisely? You want to see labour, parts, and any extras listed individually, so it’s a lot easier to compare prices with other electricians.
• What, exactly, will your electrician do? Check whether they’re running new cables, drilling through walls, sealing holes, setting up sensors, and removing old fittings. Get it in writing, as you really don’t want to get caught out.
• What about insurance? Enquire about public liability insurance. In the worst case that something gets damaged or someone gets hurt while they’re working, you’ll both be glad it’s in place.
• Will they test everything properly? You can expect them to test everything. They’ll test the lights, sensors, and switches before they leave and show you how it all works, including how to tweak the settings.
• Do they offer a guarantee on their work? The right electrician will guarantee their workmanship for a set period. So, find out how long you’re covered for if a fault crops up later.