The cost for an electrician to fit a light can range from £30 – 100.
However, many factors will affect the amount of electrical work required, which will obviously affect the cost.
There are also many different light fittings nowadays, from pendant lights to downlights and spotlights, so the fitting you choose can affect this cost.
The cost for an electrician to change or replace a light fitting is £30 – 45. This cost is based on the fact that it is a straightforward replacement where all the existing electrical work is in good condition.
Read on to find out in more detail what you would expect to pay an electrician to fit a light and what factors will affect the price.
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How much does it cost for an electrician to install a light?
Below are ballpark costs for what electrician’s charge for common light installations and the approximate installation time.
However, electricians will quote on a job-by-job basis, so to get accurate quotes for your job, post a job.
| Job description | Average cost | Duration (hours) |
| Installing LED downlights / spotlights | £60 – 80 per point (supply & install) | 1 – 2 for one single downlight |
| Installing a chandelier | £30 – 60 (install only) | 1 – 8 |
| Installing ceiling pendant light with existing wiring | £30 – 45 (install only) | 1 – 2 |
| Installing ceiling pendant light without existing wiring | £50 – 80 (install only) | 4 – 6 |
| Installing wall mounted downlights (exterior) | £50 – 100 | 1 – 6 |
| Installing a light in the loft | £100 – 120 | 2 – 6 |
| Electrician hourly rate | £30 – 45 | – |
| Electrician daily rate | £220 – 300 | – |
| Get quotes | ||
How much does it cost for an electrician to install a ceiling light?
There are many different types of ceiling lights available to suit your taste and needs, and in most circumstances, you are responsible for purchasing the light fixture.
LED downlights and spotlights are very popular in kitchens and bathrooms. They cost approximately £60 per point to supply and install. Read our spotlight installation cost guide to find out more.
The cost to install your ceiling lights will depend on the light fixture you choose and the condition of your existing electrical infrastructure. Installing a ceiling light can range from £30 – 80.
How much does it cost to change a light fitting?
Generally, the cost to change or replace a light fitting will be at the lower end, approximately £30 – 45.
Usually, if it is just replacing a light fitting and the existing wiring is still in good working order, this is a straightforward job for an electrician that will take less than an hour.
If the existing wiring needs changing or if you want the electrician to move the location of the light then this will require more time and work so the cost will inevitably be higher.
Factors that will affect the cost of fitting or changing a light fixture
The cost for an electrician to install a light can vary depending on many factors.
For example, is it new lighting that doesn’t have existing wiring? Or what is the condition of the existing wiring? Does the area where it is being fitted have easy access? Read on as we discuss in more detail how much it can cost for an electrician to install or replace a light fitting.
Labour cost
Some electricians charge by the hour, some by the day and others by the project or light fixture.
If it is a simple, small job such as installing a pendant light, with easy access to and existing wiring that is all in order, then they will usually charge by the hour.
For large-scale jobs, an electrician will typically charge a fixed rate.
The rate they charge will also change depending on your location. Electricians in London and the south-east are usually more expensive than elsewhere in the UK.
The average hourly rate of an electrician in the UK is around £40.
Type of light fixture
Most electricians will not supply the light fitting, apart from spotlights or downlights.
Installing a simple ceiling light fitting, such as pendant lights or downlights, is quite easy and shouldn’t take a professional electrician a long time, so the cost to install them is low.
On the other hand, installing complex fixtures such as chandeliers will undoubtedly cost you more.
A chandelier can cost anywhere between £30 – 60 to install, depending on how big the light fitting is and how high the ceiling.
Smart lighting systems are becoming increasingly popular as you can automate your lights, change their colour or control them remotely. Smart light bulbs and their systems are expensive to buy initially but long-term savings on energy bills and the longer lifespan of LED bulbs can offset the initial cost over time.
If it is just smart bulbs you are installing, this is a simple job and you won’t need a professional electrician. Installing smart switches or complex setups, on the other hand, will require more electrical work and knowledge so you will need to factor in labour costs.
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Complexity of the installation
How much electrical work is required will, of course, affect the cost of the light fitting.
The cost will be lower if they can install the light without changing the wiring.
The electrician will need to check the state of the existing electrical wiring and panel before installation to see if they can support the new lights. The cost will increase if the wiring or electrical panel needs upgrading or new circuits need to be installed.
If you are having major work done, for instance, an extension, the electrician might suggest doing an EICR, which can cost between £100 – 300.
If installing a new light where none existed before, a hole will need to be cut in the ceiling or wall for the electrical box. The electrician must fix the electrical box to a joist or stud to provide a sturdy mounting point for the light fixture.
The electrician must also run new wiring from the nearest power source to the new light fixture location.
Installing a new light might involve fishing wires through walls, ceilings, or lofts, and careful planning is required to avoid damaging existing wiring or structures.
They will also need to fit switches for the new fittings. The type of switches you choose will affect the final price as they can range from £1 – 50 per switch.
Location and accessibility
Where the light is being installed will affect the cost. For instance, the electrician might need to access the ceiling in the loft, which might be difficult, or lift up floorboards to access the original wiring. The more difficult it is to access, the longer the job will take, resulting in higher costs.
Installing a light in a bathroom can involve more work for an electrician than other rooms due to the specific safety regulations and complexities working in a wet environment, so usually they will charge more.
You will also need light bulbs with a rating IP65 and these are usually more expensive than other light bulbs.
Hire a professional electrician for all bathroom electrical installations to ensure safety and compliance.
Additional costs
Plastering and decorating
If the electricians have had to chase the plaster, you’ll need to factor in the costs for making good after installation by a plasterer and decorator.
Plastering costs are approximately £75 for a chase (a vertical or horizontal channel or groove cut in the wall for wire or cable) and £50 for a spotlight hole, and painters and decorators would probably charge for a half day (£100 – 120) or full day (£150 – 200), depending on the number of holes that need to be patched.
Flooring
If any floorboards or carpets have had to be lifted, you may need to employ a carpet fitter to mend or replace any flooring.
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Light installation cost faq
What is the cost of moving a light to a different location?
Moving a light can be a simple job for an electrician if it’s not too far away from the existing one.
However the price would depend on these factors:
- If it needs a junction box
- If it needs extra wire
- Ease of access to the installation point
- If the electrician needs to drill through a joist or stud
How much does it cost to install outside lights?
Again, this can depend on the type of lights you want to install.
For wall-mounted downlights, it can range from approximately £50 (if it is simply replacing the light and the wiring is still there) to £165 to install the light and connect it to the mains power supply.
How much does it cost to install motion sensor lights?
Motion sensor lights are usually pretty cheap, and if you are only having one it won’t take long for the electrician to install. Average hourly rate is £35 – 40.
If you are installing more than one light this will obviously affect the price and the electrician will probably charge for a half day (£110 – 150) or full day (£220 – 300) depending on how many there are.
The position of the light will also affect this price, as if it is far away from the main supply, there will need to be more wiring put in place.
So if you’re ready to get started, post a job to get quotes from electricians near you.