How Much Does It Cost to Move a Light Switch or Socket?
Check out the costs to move a light switch and move a socket price in the figures below.
The cost for moving an existing light switch ranges from £130 to £170 and the same estimate of the price for the installation of a new light switch or socket.
If you’d like to see the light switch or socket simply replaced, you can expect to pay between £60 to £90 costing somewhere between £100 and £140 to have a number of sockets or lights changed.
In the end, to get new lights and sockets it is recommended to budget for between £220 and £290.
Moving Light Switch Prices
| Job Description | Supply Cost | Labour Cost | Total Costs |
| Move a Light Switch/Move a Socket | £10 to £20 | £120 to £150 | £130 to £170 |
| Install a New Light Switch/Socket | £10 to £20 | £120 to £150 | £130 to £170 |
| Replacing a Light Switch or Socket | £10 to £20 | £50 to £70 | £60 to £90 |
| Installing Several New Light Switches/Sockets | £20 to £40 | £200 to £250 | £220 to £290 |
| Replacing Several New Light Switches/Sockets | £20 to £40 | £80 to £100 | £100 to £140 |
What are the Supply Costs for Moving a Light Switch or Socket?
Now, we’ll look at the cost of supplies (a.k.a. standalone costs) that are involved in moving a light switch or socket and the like. The costs for supply do not include the cost of labour and any other costs.
If you examine the costs of the supplies, they range typically somewhere between £10 or £20 for light sockets or switching light. The same amount of supply will apply to installing as well as replacing an existing light socket.
The costs of a standalone unit can be as high as £20 to £40 when you’re looking to install or replace several sockets or light switches.
The expense of materials makes approximately 5 to 15 percent of the total bill when you hire a professional to complete the task (which is typically the best option).
However If you choose to do this work-from-home project, these costs can be beneficial since these costs are similar to what you’d expect to pay for items directly from a store.
Here’s something that you must keep in mind…
These tasks aren’t the best to be done by DIY. It is best to only do this task on your own only if you’ve got the appropriate expertise and experience and comprehend the safety procedures involved.
The use of electricity could be deadly if errors occur. It’s essential to disconnect the electrics that are relevant to you from the mains, or switch off any power source to ensure you do not get a shock.
Additional Costs of Relocating a Socket or Light Switch
If you need the light switch or socket relocated (or paying for the same task) it is possible to consider it a good idea to perform some additional tasks around your home. We’ll look at some other tasks you might want to cover when hiring an electrician in your home.
New LED Lighting
The most common job electricians do is installing LED lighting. The cost of fitting and supply of this task will depend on the particulars. For instance, if you wish to have LED strip lighting fitted underneath cabinets in the kitchen, you could anticipate paying between £200 up to £250.
If you want to have the five-foot LED light installed instead of the fluorescent tube, you’ll require a budget of around £100 to £150 which could increase to £200 up to £300 should you decide to replace the old light fixtures in your kitchen with LED downlights.
Each of the tasks mentioned will take within the range of 1 to 3 hours.
Outdoor Security Lighting
Installing security lights outside at your home is an excellent method to improve the security of your property a little safer and improve your security. Security lighting can deter potential criminals from entering your property and alert you of anyone who is loitering in the area.
There are many kinds of outdoor security lighting that you can select from. It’s likely that you’ll pay £100 up to £150 for an motion-sensor security light installation. £100 to £200 for floodlights at a cost between £100 and £1,100 for lighting for your landscape and £100 up to £500 to install spotlights.
PAT Testing
PAT, also known as portable appliance testing, tests the safety of electrical appliances and other equipment that is located on the premises.
PAT testing is legally required for commercial properties; homeowners may wish to have assurance that the electrical appliances in their home are secure (and even if they’re not at the very least, you’ll know and have them replaced or repaired).
While electricians typically set the minimum amount for charges for PAT testing, it is typically priced between £1-£2 per test. On average, homeowners spend in the range of £100 and £200 per test for PAT testing at their residence.
Tradesmen Costs for Moving a Light Switch or Socket
In this part we’ll examine the labour costs involved in the work we have examined earlier, such as obviously, the relocation of sockets or light switches.
The cost of the tradesman will be the largest portion of the cost when you have a socket/light switch installed (approximately 85-95% to be exact).
Electricians typically charge between £200 and £250 per hour. For hourly rates one electrician will likely be charging somewhere in the region from £25 to £50 per hour.
It is important to remember that the cost of labour varies widely in the UK. For example, electricians are charged approximately £45 or £50 each hour within London while labour costs are over average throughout the south-east region of England.
However cost tends to be less than average in certain regions, such as Northern Ireland, northern England and Scotland.
Here are some of the average charges for electricians in the UK:
| Location | Per Hour Labour Cost |
| London | £45 to £50 |
| Liverpool | £30 to £35 |
| Birmingham | £30 to £35 |
| Manchester | £30 to £35 |
| Sheffield | £25 to £30 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | £25 to £30 |
| Oxford | £35 to £40 |
| Reading | £40 to £45 |
| Glasgow | £30 to £35 |
| Belfast | £20 to £25 |
| Cardiff | £25 to £30 |
How Long Does It Take to Move a Light Switch or Socket?
The tasks discussed in this article generally require approximately three hours to eight. Moving the light switch or socket, it can take anywhere about three or four hours.
If you simply want to replace the socket or switch, anticipate it to take about one hour. However, installing the new socket or light switch would require between 2 and 3 hours.
Furthermore, replacing a number of switches/sockets will take about two to three hours, however installing a number of new switches/sockets can require a full working day.
Furthermore…
The length of time depends on many variables, such as the size of the job, the type of sockets and switches, as well as how many electricians are who are on the project.
Although it is likely that the job will be handled by a single electrician, it is possible that two electricians may work in tandem. This will increase the labour cost, but it will also reduce the duration of the work.
Types of Light Switch/Socket
If you’re looking for a light switch that you’re looking to install it’s possible that you’re thinking about what kind you should choose. If so we’ve got you covered in this section, and we’ll take a look at different kinds of switches.
The labour cost to move, replace or even install one of these light switches will probably be somewhere within the range of £50 or £150.
But, it might be more expensive for more sophisticated light sources like proximity switches. Of course, the actual cost of the supply can be a bit different depending on the kind of light switch, as well as the manufacturer and the quality.
Rocker Light Switch
The rocker switches a typical light switch that’s switched on and off when it is pressed to and fro, in an ‘unique rocking motion’.
The specifics of their design may vary dramatically, and you can see several rocker switches integrated into a single unit. There are times when you’ll see two symbols, 0 and – on a rocker switch in order to mark off and on.
Push Button Light Switch
The most well-known kinds of switches for lighting can be found in the button. These switches are slim and also completely flush with their cases. It’s also easy to switch your lights on and off using a button light switch.
Toggle Light Switch
An older-fashioned kind that is light switches are toggles a.k.a. Dolly switched. They’re a great option for interiors with a retro style.
The switches typically feature the ability to adjust the size of the lever, which can be turned between both on and off. They may also have off and on letters.
Dimmer Light Switch
They are a very popular alternative for modern times. Contrary to the typical switches for lighting, a dimmer can be turned both left and right (usually using a dial) to alter the levels of light over the brightness range.
The dial button can be pressed to turn on the light off or on, similar to the traditional light switch.
Therefore, whether you want complete brightness, semi-brightness or a more moody “cellar-like” illumination, a dimming switch provides a broad variety of choices. Dimmer switches in their own right are suitable for modern homes.
Proximity Light Switch
The most advanced type of light switch is that of the proximity switch. The switches can be switched on when necessary, however thanks to the sensor technology the light switch is able to be turned off when it is able to determine that the area around it is empty or after a specified time.
Proximity switches aren’t just practical, but they are, naturally they are also energy efficient. it will reduce your energy bills and help reduce the carbon footprint. Overall the switches are an excellent modern-day money-saving alternative.
Types of Sockets
As you move to different sockets the cost of changing, moving or installing one socket will range from £50 or £150.
However the price of supply is generally not high, but will be contingent on a variety of aspects, such as the quality and type of the socket(s).
Edison-Socket
The most widely used sockets for light bulbs are known in the form of E14 as well as E27. These numbers are referring to the bulb’s danger diameter in millimetres. Edison sockets are usually featured on fluorescent bulbs and halogen tubes.
Bayonet-Socket
The most well-known kind in Bayonet socket is known by the name of B15. It’s a t-shaped socket that has pins vertically positioned on both sides. A different type of Bayonet socket is called the B22.
It can be connected and then rotated 180 degrees for a simple installation (it is best to do it only when the power source is disconnected from the power source, obviously).
Pin-Socket
Light bulbs with conventional design that do not have the Edison socket are fitted with a pin-socket with two pins. These sockets are classified as G which stands for glass. This is due to the fact that the contact pins were made of glass.
How Much Does It Cost to Remove a Light Switch or Socket?
Just need an electrical socket or light switch removed and the socket completed by an expert?
This task is likely to require just one hour, or less, and based on that you could expect to spend anywhere from £25 or £50.
It is necessary to add to the expense for waste disposal. Electronics aren’t able to be thrown away with the regular garbage.
How can I dispose of this garbage in the first place?
There are a variety of solutions:
- Kerbside collection.
- Dropping electronics at an area recycling centre.
- Electronic items for hand to certain retailers (if the electricals are appropriate).
FAQs
Q: How do you move a light switch without wiring?
A: The exact process will depend on the specific products. However, the process is essential as follows:
- Turn off the power at the mains. This is essential for safety
- Unscrew the wall plate
- Then unscrew the existing switch
- Mark each of the wires before removal
- Disconnect the wires from the existing switch
- Connect the wires to their corresponding parts
Q: How long do light switches last?
A: The good news is that light switches should last for twenty years or more.
Q: Is an electrician needed to replace a light switch?
A: No, it is not a legal requirement for a like-for-like replacement. However, you do need some basic tools and must ensure that the power is disconnected at the mains.
You need to essentially isolate the circuit, or you could turn off all power in the home if you’d prefer. But again, it’s critical to get this right and not, for instance, isolate the wrong circuit. Electric shocks when working at home can cause death.
Q: What are countdown timer switches?
A: These switches are designed to turn off a light after a certain period of time per the homeowner’s choosing. There is a wide range of these light switches available.
Q: Would a dimmable light switch reduce my energy bills?
A: Of course, it would depend on how exactly you use these light switches (e.g., how often, if at all, you actually use lower light settings), but in general, you could expect to reduce your energy usage by around 20%.
One downside, though, is that dimmable halogen bulbs need to be replaced more often than those that are not dimmable.
