How much does it cost to fit a light in Gloucester?
Changing light fittings or adding new lights? Post the job for free and it goes to local electricians who cover your area. Only the electrician who takes it on gets your contact details.
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Light fittings
Swapping a fitting like for like is usually a short job. The electrician isolates the circuit, takes the old fitting down, checks the wiring and the earth, and puts the new one up. Adding new lights, downlights or extra switches takes longer and may mean lifting floorboards, going into the loft or cutting into ceilings.
Things that affect the scope:
- how many fittings, and whether they are new positions or replacements
- access to the ceiling void from a loft or floor above
- whether the existing wiring has an earth, as older installations sometimes don’t
- heavy fittings like chandeliers, which need proper fixing into a joist
- dimmers and smart switches, which have to be compatible with the bulbs
In a bathroom, lights need the right protection rating for the zone they’re in, and any addition or alteration to a circuit within the zone around the bath or shower is notifiable under the Building Regulations. A whole new lighting circuit is notifiable wherever it is. Notifiable work should be certified by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme or signed off through building control.
Downlights cut into a ceiling may need fire-rated fittings, especially under a bedroom or a loft conversion. Ask the electrician what’s needed where you want them.
What to include when you post
A few details and photos help an electrician quote for a lighting job without a visit.
- How many fittings, and which rooms.
- Whether they replace existing lights or go in new positions.
- Photos of the ceiling or wall, and the existing fitting.
- Whether you have bought the fittings, with the make and model or a link.
- Whether there’s a loft or floor above you can get into.
- Ceiling height, if it’s higher than usual or over a stairwell.
- Any dimmers or smart switches you want, and the type of bulbs you use.
- Whether the room is a bathroom, and where the light sits in relation to the bath or shower.
What to ask
If the job includes a new circuit or work in a bathroom, ask whether they are registered with a competent person scheme. For simple replacements, ask what record or certificate you’ll get.
A written quote should say:
- how many fittings and switches are included, and who supplies them
- whether assembling fittings is included, as some take a while
- whether new cabling, fire-rated downlights or dimmer-compatible bulbs are needed
- whether holes in ceilings will be filled and made good, and whether painting is excluded
- that old fittings and packaging will be taken away
If you’re supplying your own fittings, send the electrician the details first so they can check they suit where they’re going.
Not quite the right job?
See every job on our Electrician page, or post it anyway and describe it in your own words.
Before a tradesperson starts work
Registrations
Some work must be done by a registered professional. Work on a gas boiler, cooker or fire must be done by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which you can check on the Gas Safe Register.
Our business check
Limited companies are checked with Companies House and sole traders upload their insurance certificate. Trade registrations are confirmed by the tradesperson when they sign up.
Get the price in writing
Ask for a written quote that sets out the work and the price before anything starts. Your contract for the work is with the tradesperson.
Questions
What people tend to ask before booking this job. For anything specific to your home, ask the tradesperson who takes it on when they get in touch.
Usually, yes. Tell the electrician the make and model so they can check they suit where they're going, including the protection rating in a bathroom.
Lights in a bathroom need the right protection rating for the zone they sit in, and work in the zone around the bath or shower is notifiable. The electrician will check this.
The dimmer and the bulbs often aren't compatible. Old dimmers were designed for filament bulbs. The electrician can fit a dimmer made for LEDs and check the bulbs are dimmable.
Older installations sometimes have no earth at lighting points. That limits which fittings can safely be used, as metal fittings usually need one. Tell the electrician before they come, and they may recommend further checks.
Usually, if it's fixed properly into a joist or a suitable support rather than just the plasterboard. Let the electrician know the weight of the fitting when you post.