Lighting costs vary hugely depending on what you’re doing — swapping a fitting is cheap; wiring a full room of downlights into a redecorated ceiling is a bigger job. Here’s a realistic 2026 breakdown so you can budget.

Typical price ranges

These are guide ranges for supply and fit (fittings vary widely in price):

• Replace an existing light fitting (like-for-like): ~£60–£120
• Fit downlights/spotlights: ~£50–£90 per downlight installed (less per unit for several together)
• A room of downlights (e.g. 6): ~£300–£600 depending on access and ceiling type
• Wire a brand-new light point (new cable run, switch): ~£100–£200+ per point
• Outdoor/security lighting: ~£100–£250 per fitting depending on cabling and position
• Full-room lighting scheme (mixed downlights, wall lights, dimmers): from a few hundred to £1,000+

Fittings themselves are extra and range from budget to designer.

What affects the price

• New point vs replacement — running new cable and a switch costs far more than swapping a fitting on an existing point.
• Ceiling type and access — a loft above makes downlights easy; a concrete or plastered ceiling with a room above is harder.
• Number of fittings — more in one visit lowers the per-unit cost.
• Controls — dimmers, smart lighting, and multiple switching add cost.
• Making good — if cables can’t be hidden without some plaster/decoration work.

Downlights: the detail that matters

Fitting downlights into an existing ceiling is straightforward with loft access above, but trickier with a room above (cables must be fished through). Fire-rated downlights are essential where they penetrate a fire-rated ceiling, and LED downlights are now standard for efficiency and life. Whether downlights even suit your room is worth a thought — see our downlights vs pendants guide.

Will I need rewiring?

Usually not — most lighting upgrades work with the existing lighting circuit. Rewiring only comes in if the circuit is old/unsafe or you’re adding a lot of new points. If your wiring is ageing, see signs your house needs rewiring.

Ways to keep costs down

• Do a whole room (or house) in one visit — far cheaper per fitting.
• Decide positions before plastering/decorating if renovating.
• Choose LED — higher upfront, much lower running and replacement cost.
• Reuse existing points where you can rather than adding new ones.

A note on quality

Lighting is part design, part electrics. A cheap “fit some spots” job can leave a room flat or over-lit; a considered scheme (layered task, ambient, and feature lighting) makes a real difference. It’s worth paying for the design thinking, not just the labour.

Get a lighting quote

For lighting designed and installed to suit your home — at a fair, clearly-quoted price across East London — GFL Electrical are your local NICEIC electricians. See our lighting installation service or call 020 3774 5604.