How Much Does It Cost to Install Spotlights?
What, then, is the cost of installing downlights or the cost of installing spotlights?
The cost for having one spotlight installed is somewhere between £50 to £160 The cost for four spotlights or downlights put in place would range from £300 up to £500.
If you are looking to purchase around 8-10 spotlights that will be installed you can expect to pay in the region of £500 to £1,300.
Now, we’ll detail the installation costs in greater specific detail…
Spotlight Installation Prices
| Type of installation | Labour Cost | Supply cost | Total Cost |
| Single Spotlight | £30 to £80 | £20 to £80 | £50 to £160 |
| Four Spotlights | £220 to £250 | £80 to £320 | £300 to £570 |
| 8-10 Spotlights | £340 to £500 | £160 to £800 | £500 to £1,300 |
What are the Supply Costs for Downlights?
Moving on to the cost of the stand-alone or cost of supply. This is the amount that spotlights and downlights are when bought directly from the retailer. This does not include other costs such as labour or disposal of waste (where necessary).
The cost of the supply is particularly important to consider if you plan to install spotlights at your own expense. However, it is best to install them yourself if you have the appropriate abilities and know-how and are aware of the specifics of what’s required.
It is essential to remove the electrical components that you require from the mains supply or switch off the power completely to ensure you don’t suffer an electric shock.
The prices for a spotlight unit range from £20 to £80 and you’ll need to budget around £80 to £320 if you want to purchase four spotlights. Purchasing 8-10 downlights/spotlights would likely cost between £160 and £800.
Additional Jobs to Go with Installing Spotlights
If you have spotlights or downlights fitted by a professional you could decide that it’s a good idea to hire them for an additional task or for a variety of more work.
If you have an electrician at your site do you want to get a couple of things done you’ve been thinking about for some time?
Here are some other jobs you might want to think about…
New Loft Lights
If you’re having lights installed in your living or kitchen room, it might be interesting for you to get new lighting put within your attic. The good news is that this task should take between two and three hours.
For between £100 To £150 An electrician could install a brand new loft light and put a switch in an opening in the roof.
Accessing your loft frequently is made safer by the installation of an illuminated loft light. An experienced and qualified professional should be able to handle this task.
Outdoor LED Downlights for Security
Installing a security light outside your home is an excellent method of increasing the security of your property and giving you confidence.
Security lights can deter potential burglars as well as alert you to the possibility that something is lurking in the area.
There are numerous types of outdoor spotlights for security that are available. For instance the motion sensor will cost between £100 or £150 to be installed for installation, whereas you’d likely be paying somewhere in the region from £100 to £200 for the installation of a floodlight.
It could cost between £100 up to £500 to purchase an outdoor downlights or outdoor spotlights instalment, and the appropriate price for landscape lighting could vary between £100 to £1,100.
Electric Cooker Installation
Have you thought about getting the electric cooktop in your kitchen? There’s a wide selection of electric cookers available, therefore the cost of installation will differ greatly.
As you can see, even when you have specific installation options, prices vary widely. It all comes down to how good the products are, its company’s name and the area you live in (since the prices for labour differ throughout all of the UK).
Tradesmen Costs for Spotlights Installation
We’ll now move to the labour costs associated with fitting downlights. The amount you pay an electrician for the work they did in fitting the lights and therefore excludes cost of the supply and any other costs (e.g. the removal of waste).
On average, electricians cost between £30 and £40 per hour, or around £220 to £250 for a day.
The labour costs could be as low as £30 or £80 for a spotlight/downlight, £220 to £250 (for the duration of a working day, so) for four spotlights and £340 or £500 to install 8-10 spotlights and downlights.
The price of labour for installing spotlights depends on several factors, such as the size of the project accessibility, the ease of access and the location you are located in the UK.
As mentioned previously labour costs vary from region to region in the UK. Electricians generally charge more than average rates in the southeast region of England (London particularly) however, labour costs tend to be less expensive in Northern England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
How Long Does It Take to Install Spotlights?
In this article we’ll look at the durations that are required to have downlights or spotlights set up and the variables which can impact the duration of the project.
It will take between one and 2 hours to get a pro to install one spotlight. But, installing four could take between 6 and 8 hours. To have between eight and ten downlights/spotlights installed would last about a day and a half to two days.
The length of the project is dependent on aspects like the dimensions and types of lighting fixtures being used in addition to obviously the amount of lights being installed.
How many electricians are working in the field could determine how long the task will take, though it’s unlikely multiple electricians could be in the process.
Types of Spotlights
There is a range of different downlights/spotlights on the market. In this article we’ll go over the different kinds and look at their advantages and disadvantages.
Ceiling-Mounted Lights
If you’re looking to get spotlights or downlights installed the most popular choice is to mount them on the ceiling. They can be as single lights (which come in a variety of styles) or in the form of multiple lights.
Examples of these consist of three LED light and spotlight bars with four lights. The cost of installing downlights/spotlights can, of course, depend on the exact design of the product and the brand in question, among other factors.
Pros:
- A well-known and efficient option
- Different types of ceiling-mounted options are available
- The range of products available is vast for sale
Cons:
- There are no specific negatives
Wall-Mounted Lights
Alternative options are wall-mounted spotlights/downlights. These lights, however, are best installed in conjunction with other ceiling-mounted spotlights/downlights rather than as standalone lights.
Pros:
- You can add lighting
- Allows you to use a different space for additional spotlights/downlights
Cons:
- It won’t be enough as lighting for their own
IP Rating
A common method of categorising downlights is based on the IP rating.
It’s not concerning the downlight’s IP addresses (although we’ll likely do in the next few years! ) Instead, an IP rating, also known as an ingress protection rating is a measure of the degree to which light is able to be protected from elements like water and dust.
To be more precise to be more specific, an IP rating explains the extent to which light can generally defend against foreign bodies which are composed of liquid and solid matter.
In the case of numbers used to determine the calculation of an IP score, the initial number is a reference to its levels of protection against physical substances, while the second digit is for liquid matter, such as water.
Lights with an IP20 rating are touch-proof, but not water-resistant while lights that have an IP44 rating or more IP44 or greater are immune to water and dust.
If the light is rated higher than IP44 (i.e. the two numbers are higher than four) they can be installed in the bathroom zones 1 and 2 which means that they can be placed directly on top of the shower.
In the majority of cases however electricians prefer to install lighting that has the IP65 ratings in such situations to provide more security. It’s crucial to ensure that light’s IP rating of light matches its surroundings both to ensure safety and practicality.
Let’s look at a few well-known downlights, based on their IP ratings…
IP20 Downlights
An extremely popular and easy option is fixed downlights, which have the IP score of 20. The lights, of course, will point directly down. They’re typically inexpensive and have a tiny size.
You might also think about adjusting IP20 downlights to have more versatility in the way the room is lit.
IP20 downlights do not lend themselves for bathrooms, however they’re generally a great alternative for kitchen fixtures. However it is not possible to install them over the sink or stove since they will not provide enough water resistance (that being 0 is the second number).
Pros:
- Commonplace indoor downlights for kitchens
- Usually, they are cheap
- Small diameter
Cons:
- Not always the best option (e.g. bathroom, etc.)
Outdoor IP44 Downlights
These lights are a good option for security lighting outside because, thanks to an IP44 rating they’re water-resistant enough that they can be utilised in an exterior setting. They could, for instance, be installed on fascias or soffits.
Of course, not every IP44 downlight is appropriate for outdoor use, as the materials and finishes are also an issue when exposed to elements. It is important to be careful not to install IP44 downlights that will rust and become damaged too quickly.
Pros:
- Most likely a reasonably inexpensive choice for lighting for outdoor areas
- An excellent choice for security lighting if you pick the right light
Cons:
- In general, they’re not the best choices for outdoor security lighting.
IP65 Bathroom Downlights
Downlights that have an IP rating of 65 are an excellent alternative for bathrooms. There are a lot of lighting firms that only offer integrated LED downlights with IP65 ratings that have a water-proof and dust-proof seal.
IP65 bathroom downlights can be used anywhere there is lighting to be placed. It is important to be aware, however, that for prolonged periods of bathing, bathroom lighting and electricians require the IP rating that is 68.
Pros:
- Bathrooms are ideal for this.
- Many LED downlights with integrated LEDs with IP65 ratings.
- It is possible to install it nearly everywhere
Cons:
- It could be a little more costly
How Much Does It Cost to Remove Downlights?
You may be thinking about getting rid of your current downlights or could in the future later on be interested in finding out how much it will cost.
It is possible to remove the lights and replace them with new lighting types installed in their place, or since you no longer have the need for that lighting source in your space.
The removal of spotlights (so no need to consider the cost of replacing them in the event of replacements) will incur the cost of labour ranging from PS30 to PS80 and the task expected to last between 1 and 2 hours, based on the number of lights that need to be taken away.
Of course, time will need to be allocated to cleanup and removal of waste.
Electricity and old lights cannot be recycled with regular waste, but. Therefore, you could be charged an additional cost for the disposal of waste.
One of the possible solutions to dispose of electric or lighting fixtures are:
- Kerbside collection.
- Then hand them over to specific retail stores (if the electrical equipment is in good working order etc. ).
- Dropping off the recyclables to a recycling facility.
If you’re not sure, contact those who operate at least one of these places to see whether they’ll allow your lights and the electrical systems.
FAQs
Q: How do you replace halogen downlights?
A: You may want to replace your halogen downlights with the more efficient alternative of LEDs.
If in doubt about any part of the process, you should hire a qualified electrician.
The exact process can vary depending on the products, among other factors (so it’s best to check the manufacturer’s guidance for certainty), but here is, broadly speaking, what is involved:
- Ensure that the main power to the lighting circuit is turned off. This is crucial to prevent an electric shock that could be lethal.
- Remove the halogen bulb.
- Next, you’ll need to find the cable that is fitted into the Halogen holder’s terminal block. Unscrew this so that the holder itself can be released.
- Remove the halogen bracket.
- Locate the two mains wires that were previously hooked up to the Halogens. Connect them to the mains 240vAC input of the LED transformer. You should see polarity ensuring that the live wire is hooked up to the LED transformer’s live input, with the neutral wire being connected to the neutral input. It’s also important to note that there should be two mains cables hooked up to the downlights that are followed by another. This is to make sure that the voltage can be carried to the next downlight within the circuit.
- Place the LED transformer through the ceiling hole. Fit it into place before installing the LED downlight itself. It’s important to pull the spring retaining clips back to place the LED downlight incorrectly and ensure a correct fitting.
- Repeat each of the above steps for every downlight being replaced with an LED.
- Once everything is firmly in place, installed and definitively safe, you can turn back on the mains power to the lighting switch.
- Turn on your new LED downlights using the light switch. If all looks good, you’ve successfully completed the installation of the new LEDs in place of your old halogen downlights. You’ll now enjoy brighter and more energy-efficient lighting as a result!
Q: How long do downlights/spotlights tend to last?
A: Spotlights have a life expectancy of up to 50,000 hours. As a result, there’s a good chance they can last for as much as a decade.
This is far better than halogen and incandescent light bulbs, which are expected to last for around 1,000 to 2,000 hours. However, the most durable option would be dimmable LEDs which tend to last for as long as 100,000 hours or perhaps up to twenty years or more!
Q: What IP rating is needed for a light fitted above a stove or sink?
A: While a downlights/stoplights fitted in a kitchen can generally have an IP rating of just 20, if they are installed over a stove or kitchen, then water resistance will be very important. As a result, you’ll want an IP rating of at least x4 (e.g., 44).
Q: What distinguishes an IP67 rated lighting fixture from one with an IP68 rating?
A: 1P67 lights can protect virtually 100% against dust as well as protecting against water immersion on a temporary basis. However, for the former level of protection against dust AND protection against long-term immersion, you’ll need an IP68 bathroom light.
Q: What are fire rated downlights?
A: These downlights are designed to restore the fire integrity of a ceiling after a hole has been cut to fit the light in place. In other words, having one of these lights installed shouldn’t make your ceiling any less resistant to fire.
As a result, fire-rated downlights must be able to pass a relevant fire resistance test.
