Getting Gu10 Downlights & Dimmers Installed...do I Need A Certificate?

[alternotion]

Hello, I can really do with some expert advice. All my rooms have a single bulb in the middle and I have called in a couple of electricians for quotes...two questions:

1. I am in the Greater London area, how much is a fair cost to install a GU10 downlight? Quotes are around £32 each spotlight installed (plus bulb and fittings cost)..I need 35 of them all over the house, so sounds quite steep?!

2. Do I really need a certicate for this job?

3. What type of LED GU10's work well with dimmers?

Many thanks!!

 

[Andy™]

Hello, I can really do with some expert advice. All my rooms have a single bulb in the middle and I have called in a couple of electricians for quotes...two questions:

1. I am in the Greater London area, how much is a fair cost to install a GU10 downlight? Quotes are around £32 each spotlight installed (plus bulb and fittings cost)..I need 35 of them all over the house, so sounds quite steep?!

2. Do I really need a certicate for this job?

3. What type of LED GU10's work well with dimmers?

Many thanks!!

1: not possible to say without knowing what downligts you want installed. a cheap halogen type may cost £3 to buy, a top quality LED may be well over £20

2: yes. all installation work is required to have either a minor works cert, or installation cert.

3: most decent brands should work. some cheaper ones do work, but not always

but since your getting some quotes, then you should be able to figure out Q1 by the quotes you get. and the sparky will cover Q2. and would be able to advise you with Q3

 

[alternotion]

Thanks, but I have been quoted £32 just for the installation cost (I need to source the bulb and fittings which cost another 30 each.) ..Is £32 per fitting a normal rate, even when there is full access to the upper floorboards to install the wiring etc.?

 

[ProDave]

£32 per fitting sounds steep to me, but i'm a LONG way from London.

but given congestion charge, parking, and other hassles that may be the going rate down there. Best way to find out is get several quotes.

If you really want LED downlights, then buy them as LED downlights. you could but the fittings and LED lamps separately, but not ALL LED lamps will fit all fittings.  Try somewhere like LEDHUT

 

[Robin Spark]

Personally,  i wouldnt trust the customer to purchase leds and compatible dimmer switches.  That would be the sparkys job and part of the estimate and guarantee to make sure everything works properly.

£32 per fitting is probably ok for your area and as Prodave said LEDhut are good and sell compatible dimmer switches, fittings and lamps.

 

[alternotion]

LEDhut does seem good, I am not really in London, am near Heathrow so no congestion here, I really hope to find someone who charges me £20 per fitting ( I have about 30 fittings to do!) that sounds reasonable! I'll buy the lights and fittings from LEDhut! 

I am not sure if this is the place to find someone, or I should just look online...?

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Allowing for measuring and positioning of the lights to ensure they all  miss the joist pipes or other obstuctions......

look in line...

look central to the room or however you want them..

then cutting fitting wiring connecting all of those cables and flexes...

AND assuming you have nice proper plaster board ceilings...

AND all of your existing wiring is good...

Are your dimmers are compatible with LEDS....

Don't forget watts is just the power consumption.. NOT the light output..

Some LEDS can look very cold white and clinical..

not warm and cozy...

You are bound to get some polish guy who can do them for £10 each...

But either way i wouldnt trust any electrician who docent test the wiring before and after his alteratrions..

and provide a certificate for his /her work...

Electrical certificates have been good practice as per BS7671 wiring regs for 99.99% of electrical work for many many years ...

 

[Manator]

You are not alone in this. Many home owners find it difficult to find a good competent electrician.

We do have some members who cover your area, and they would not dare show their faces on this forum if they gave you a bad deal.

Always remember that cheap is not always the best, reasonable is subjective to the amount of work involved and the overall finish including the provision of a certificate for the job.

I am sure some member will offer to do a quote for you, and maybe advise you properly about your needs.

 

[steptoe]

I am quite a way from you and my normal price would be in the region of 25£ per fitting, + materials, so perhaps your quotes are not too far off,

however, I may make an adjustment for the amount of fittings you are doing,

as said, a lot would depend on access and particularly, ceiling type.

 

[betty swollocks]

I've just been working on an orangery on a new build where the customers own electrician is wiring the house, 120 downlights with 5w led bulbs £65 per fitting including installation £7,800! "I'm in no rush" he said with a smile

 

[binky]

LEDs don't dim very successfully, would be better off perhaps with splitting lights into groups. Would say price is a little high, based on economies of scale, but Devon is a poor place...