How Much Do Electricians Charge To Fit Lights?

How much does it cost to install a ceiling light without existing wiring?

It depends on a few factors; how big is the light? 100 to 250 pounds. Will the electrician need to assemble the light fitting, for example, in the case of a chandelier?

Will, there be any need for plaster work and will the electrician have clear space to remove floorboards above the ceiling if necessary?

Without wires, the electrician will need to create a suitable spur to run power to your light fitting.

Your electrical cables have been routed through joists in the ceiling, so spurring off an existing cable can take a little time.

How much does it cost to install a ceiling light fixture with existing wiring?

Depending on where you live in the country, you can expect an average price from an electrician of 70 pounds. This may represent two hours of work which is the maximum time he should have allocated for a relatively simple job.

Is it hard to install ceiling lights?

If it’s swapping an existing ceiling light for a new light, then the procedure is straightforward, and someone with a little knowledge can complete it.

By following some fundamentals, the average DIY enthusiast can easily tackle this small job.

Here are some basics you need to know:

• Switch off the power from the mains, and this will mean finding the consumer unit/fuse board so you can isolate the circuit you plan to work on. If you have plenty of daylight in the room, you may switch the power off with the main breaker switch.
• Place a post-it note on the consumer unit to let anyone who might try to reinstate the power that you are working on the circuits and not touch it.
• Using a basic multimeter to prove the circuit does not have power, you will still need to check the circuit is not energised. 
• Note, anything weighing 2kg or more needs to be supported by a chain attached to the joist to prevent the light fitting from crashing down after it has been fitted. Pendant lights can only support lightweight shades.
• If your ceiling light is not all plastic and has a metal casing, you will need to earth the light fitting with three core flex unless the light fitting is labelled as double insulated.

How do you install a ceiling light in an apartment?

You can only replace an existing light fitting with a new fitting in a flat or apartment. You will not have the luxury of being able to lift floorboards. Under your plaster ceiling is a void for electrics and plumbing and then above solid concrete, which is the floor of the flat above you.

If you wish to relocate a light, you will need to carefully plan the location and maybe chase the ceiling with an angle grinder and chisel to make space for hidden wiring. 

If you have a plasterboard ceiling, you can carefully cut the route, ensuring you do not cut existing cables.

Here are some steps you can follow:

• Before starting the job, you will need to isolate the power at the consumer unit/fuse board. If you are confident in your abilities, you can isolate the lighting circuit.
• Check the lighting circuit is not live with a multimeter.
• Dismantle the existing light fitting and remove, leaving the wires exposed.
• Assemble the new light fixture, and keep in mind that if its weight is 2kg or more, you will need to secure the light fixture with a chain to prevent injury should the fixture become detached.
• Connect the wires into the new light fitting, ensuring no exposed copper wiring and the connections are terminated securely.
• You can wrap the connections with electrical tape, but there should be no need if the wiring is correct.
• Mount the fixture making sure it is secured firmly.
• Replace the light shades and bulbs.
• Energise the circuit for the consumer board/fuse box.

Can you install a ceiling light without existing wiring?

Yes, but the look may not be what you would like in your home. You will need to find a pendant light fixture with an extended cable fitted with a three-pin plug.

This type of fitting will be lightweight, but you will still need a way of securing the pendant light fitting to the ceiling. This can be done with a small hook.

You simply secure the pendant and plug the light in via the three-pin plug into a socket.

It’s a cheap and cheerful solution with obvious trip hazards.

If this is the only option to have a ceiling light, you may consider using wall lights instead. Wall lights offer the best solution, and the room’s illumination is more than adequate for reading, and they look great.

How heavy can a ceiling light be?

In the UK, there is no weight given. However, if you plan to fit a chandelier, you should double-check if your ceiling can take the weight.

If you live in a property that can take a period type chandelier, you may need to instruct an architect to perform some load calculations on your property.

Is it difficult to add a ceiling light?

No, but it’s worth having a local electrician for the lights for you. Your local electrician will be in and out and should only charge an hour for fitting your light fixture.

You will have peace of mind knowing a qualified electrician has done the job correctly.