Installing downlight fixtures (spot lights) can modernise rooms and properties. If you have the void above a ceiling it can be a great choice to install in your existing or new property.
LED lighting is also much more energy efficient and with many older types of halogen, fluorescent lighting types now not so widely available, its a great choice.
Here we have some tips below from our opinion when installing these in your property and some guides on how much they cost to install.
Firstly, in our opinion installing replaceable lamp (bulb) down lights with GU10 lamps is our preferred method.
GU10 / Replaceable GU10 Downlight Fixtures
Pros:
Lamps can be replaced once and if they stop working
You can install whichever colour temperature lamp preferred (warm, cool, natural, bright white etc
230v compatible
Come in variety of sizes for cut outs
Can incorporate over sized bezels to be installed over old large type recessed lights
Fire rated these days as standard and IP (ingress protected) version readily available for bathrooms and alike
Tilt versions available for apex ceilings
Cons:
The cans / build can sometimes be large and cannot always fit in smaller ceiling voids
Cheaper lamps (bulbs) can cause issues, especially when used with dimmers, solution is to not shop for lamps in a supermarket etc - theres a reason they're cheaper in these stores and its down to the quality.
Fixed Downlight Fixtures
The fixtures have LED chips built in to the fittings, you cannot replace the LED chips, but have certain benifits to certain locations
Pros
Can fit into smaller voids where void height is restricted
Generally quicker to install
Can come with switchable colour rendering (CCT) between, warm, natural and bright
230v compatible
Fire rated and most are already IP (ingress protected) for bath and shower rooms
Tilt versions available for apex ceilings
Cons
If the LED chip goes, you'll have to replace the entire fixture which is much more costly than a lamp (bulb)
Not all have the CCT colour changing switch built in, if you change your mind later with regards to the colour, you'd need to change the entire fixture
Cheap versions readily now available which do not last as long
If the blown chip / internal parts are causing any RCDs to trip, you'll need to change the entire unit.
Oversized retrofit versions available - though expensive!
More expensive option
We prefer and always recomend installing the GU10 replaceble lamp versions due to the future costs. LEDs last a lot longer than the older halogen lamps etc, but not forever, you'll need to replace them at some point and changing lamps is much easier and customer friendly being able to do this themselves than have to pay an electrician to come back once the fixed versions have gone, plus to costs of replacing the entire fixture(s)
Always ask your electrician what they are proposing to install if on the quote its not stated. Check you're happy with this proposal before accepting any quotation and ask them why they're installing the version they have proposed. We get asked a lot when attending properties, gardens and alike when the fixed LED fixtures have gone and need replacing "why the electrician before installed fixed versions?" It could be there preference, it could be cost, but whatever reason, we do advise against it. For this reason, as above its good to check whats being installed before any work commences.
Design:
The design is also an integral part of the installation. Numerous times we've been to a property and they've either ended up with a ceiling that looks like blackpool's lighting design has installed them, other you're struggling to find the switch and dark spots in the room are a hinderence. Generally you'd want to look at installing them approximately 1m - 1.2m apart from each other and again 0.5m - 0.7m away from walls - this is highly dependant of several factors though for example:
The shape of the room
Height of the room
What the room is used for and the lux levels that may be required
The beam angle of the lamps or LEDs
The lumens (luminous flux) produced by the lamps or LEDs
The joists above the ceilings are critical, as you must not drill through these to make way for a light fitting, therefore you're governed by where the joists are located
All these elements should be discussed prior to installation with your lighting designer or electrician to make sure you as the customer are aware of the above before commencing.
How much do they cost?
This is the question i'm sure you as the customer is the most important part. The answer is "it depends". There are many factors involved in how much they will cost. The cost of the fitting generally range between £7-£12.00 for the fittings alone (if replaceable lamp version) the lamps can range from £3-£6.00, then the electrician or company will generally put a mark up on these materials, as they're a business and are there to make money, this is widely the case and in most instances wo
uld be 10% on materials, though some may be more. Ingress protected versions and tilt / adjustable versions are usually a little bit more than the standard versions as above. With the fixed LED versions these can range from approximately £15-£40.00+ (please note if they're cheaper than £10.00 per fitting, don't expect them to last long)
There's then the installation cost, the wiring required to each location and amending the existing or new circuit to suit the layout and the labour time to do so. Generally we would charge the light fixtures on a per point bases at around the £65-75.00 region per point. This is for the supply and installation costs.
There may be other costs involved to depending on the condition and safety of your existing electrical installation, as electricians we need to make sure these safety aspects are in place before undertaking any work and advising the customer of such beforehand.
You should (depending on your chosen electrician and if they registered to do this work, or not) recieve a minimum of a Minor Works Electrical Installation Certificate, if its a new circuit then an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) should be provided, and if the work has been carried out in a bathroom, shower room, or any other "special location" also legally recieve a Part P / Building Control Notification for the notifiable works undertaken.
If you do not receive this, either you should have done your homework beforehand and made sure you were employing a competent, registered electrician or contractor to do the work, or ask the question why you haven't received it. The certification etc may be charged in addition to the per unit installation costs also.
If you have any further questions or queries, you can contact us on our email hello@lmgelectrical.co.uk and we'd be happy to help!
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