Lighting repair and replacement - how much?

Typical lighting repair and replacement works include:

• Replacing a ceiling fitting
• Repairing an outside light
• Installing a new outside light
• Installing a loft light.
  

Replacing a ceiling fitting (or rose as standard fittings are commonly known) can be a simple task but in most cases at least three cables (each with three wires) will be found. The reason for this surprisingly large amount of cabling is that the ceiling rose is often used as a junction box. So replacing it means being able to identify what each cable is and ensuring they go back in the right order. This is fine if a the rose is being replaced but if a 'feature light' is being fitted and the ceiling rose being removed then in addition to the installation of the new light fitting the junction box function of the rose has to be replicated using a connection block in the ceiling. Remember bathroom lights must be suitable for the zone in which they are fitted.

• Typical recommend time - 1 hour
• Click here to find out the cost of labour.
  

If the outside light to be repaired is a 'PIR' fitting (i.e. a day/light and movement sensor with a flood light) or a 'bulkhead' fitting then it's frequently cheaper to replace the fitting. If replacing a 150W to 500W flood light consideration may be given to installing a low energy version. Although they cost more to buy they are cheaper to run. If you have a replacement light ready then that will save time. If the light is in a position that's difficult to access then the job will take longer.

• Typical recommend time - 1 to 2 hours
• Click here to find out the cost of labour.
  

When installing a new outside light the principle consideration is where power can be obtained from. If the location is really difficult to get power to consideration could be given to solar powered lights. These are fine if light is only required for short periods of time and it doesn't need to be too intensive. For 'mains' powered lights then a power source needs to be found. This can be a lighting circuit via a switch or a ring main via a fused spur. A cable then needs to be run to the light. The ease or difficulty of the cable run dictates the cost.

• Typical recommend time - 2 to 3 hours
• Click here to find out the cost of labour.
  

Installing a loft light is usually a relatively straight forward task assuming the loft isn't boarded. This is because the power for the light can usually be obtained from a ceiling rose of a room below the loft. If the loft is boarded allow additional time to access a suitable source of power.

• Typical recommend time - 2 to 3 hours
• Click here to find out the cost of labour.
  

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See also articles on additional power and additional lighting.

For information on regulations, lighting circuits, bathroom zones and more see our technical support section.

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