How Much Does Loft Lighting Cost?
Loft spaces are fantastic areas to make the most use of in your home, whether for storage or as an extra room. However, proper loft lighting is crucial.
Lofts are known for their open layouts and interesting architecture and also have the advantage of lots of natural light with the correct windows installed.
But this is only true on bright, clear days, so getting the lighting right outside of those times is critical. Whether your loft serves as a bedroom, office, or creative studio, appropriate lighting ensures the space is both practical and inviting.
Now, the cost of installing loft lighting will usually range from around £150 to £500. Although, there are several factors that can impact this price.
Firstly, the labour cost in your area, the type of lighting fixture you wish to install and finally, the complexity of the job. For example, a basic pendant light will fall on the lower end of the scale, with complex LED systems costing much more. Not only that, but if your property requires significant rewiring, this will drive the price up, too.
When you are planning your loft lighting project, it’s vital to consider both the upfront costs and counter them with the long-term benefits. Take LED lighting, for example; it is an investment, but it will also reduce your energy costs in the long term due to its higher efficiency.
Hiring a professional electrician will ensure that the installation is safe and, most importantly, compliant with regulations. By carefully planning your needs and budget, you can achieve a lighting solution that transforms your loft into a well-lit and aesthetically pleasing retreat.
Loft Lighting Prices
| Lighting | Supply Low Range | Supply High Range | Installation Low Range | Installation High Range | Total Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recessed Spotlights | £8 | £25 | £40 | £80 | £73 |
| Pendant Lights | £40 | £150 | £60 | £120 | £185 |
| LED Strips | £15 per m | £40 per m | £25 per m | £60 per m | £65 per m |
| Skylight Integration | £400 | £1,500 | £800 | £2,000 | £2,500 |
What are the Supply Costs for Loft Lighting?
The cost of a loft lighting job will be made up of the supply costs, the labour costs and some potential additional costs. Here, we’ll narrow down to just the supply costs and discuss what things have an impact on them.
Recessed spotlights are an incredibly modern and popular choice, mainly for their sleek look. The cost of these light fittings ranges from £8 to £25 per unit, and the LED bulbs themselves are priced separately at £3 to £10 each if not included. Additionally, consider the wiring and accessories that may be required for installation, as this can add around £20 to £50 for a small loft space.
Next, we look at pendant lights. These lights are often chosen as the decorative centrepin for loft aesthetics, and pendant lights can range significantly in price. Basic pendant fixtures are available for £40 to £80 each, whereas you will pay a premium for designer or custom options at somewhere between £100 to £300 or more. Light bulbs for these types of lights are usually priced between £5 and £15 each, but this depends on the type and brightness required.
LED strip lighting is another versatile and cost-effective option for loft spaces, ideal for accent lighting or highlighting architectural features. Standard LED strips cost £15 to £30 per metre, while higher-quality or smart LED strips range from £30 to £60 per metre. Additional components, such as controllers and power supplies, typically cost between £20 and £50.
For lofts that wish to utilise skylights, integrated lighting systems are a great choice to enhance the natural light. Basic kits for skylights start at around £400 and reach £800, but more advanced systems will cost up to £1,500. These systems are designed to not only provide functional light at night but also complement the natural light during the day.
There are some other supply costs to consider, such as wiring and connectors, with these pieces of materials costing between £50 and £150 depending on the size. Switches and other smart controls will cost between £20 and £100, with these standard switches being much more affordable than the smart or wireless systems.
What are the Additional Costs of Installing Loft Lighting?
In any home improvement project, there are always additional costs separate from the labour and the supply. Now, everything detailed below will not be necessary for every project, but it's important to be aware of the intricacies.
Electricity network upgrades are one of the most common additional costs. If you are installing lighting into your loft for the first time, there is probably no wiring running up there, and as such, an electrician will need to install some.
If you have an older network, it may not be able to meet the demand required for your new loft lighting, and there may be a requirement to rewire all or part of your network. The cost for this will range from £500 to £2,000 depending on what you require.
Dimmers and smart controls will help you get the most from your new lighting system; whether you use it for better energy efficiency or for ambience and mood setting, these modern features are pretty sought after in each job. Dimmer switches cost between £20 and £100, while smart controls will cost between £100 and £300.
Insulation and plastering tasks may be essential for your loft project, particularly if you are planning on making the space habitable for bedrooms or living rooms. Insulation costs between £400 and £1,500, while plastering will cost between £300 and £800.
Structural adjustments are much less common for everyday projects; however, if you are planning on having a skylight installed, you may need to complete some preparation work on your roof. Structural modifications cost between £500 and £1,500, while skylight trimming and sealing work will cost between £200 and £500.
By considering all of these potential extra costs, you should get a good idea of whether some or any of them will be necessary for your project. Above all else, communicate with your electrician for advice on anything from pricing to necessary work.
Tradesmen Costs for Installing Loft Lighting
One of the most important parts of any home improvement project is to find a professional who is experienced and adept at the project you want to complete. This is especially true when you consider working with electricity networks in the home.
Electricians play a crucial role in not only installing the fittings for you but also preparing the space and, most importantly, ensuring that everything is safe, secure, and complies with building regulations.
Labour costs for electricians range across the UK, and while they will all be somewhere between £35-£60 per hour or £250-£400 per day, the specific figure will usually depend on the area you live in. Highly populated places like London and the South East attract higher tradespeople costs due to higher demand.
However, low-populated areas are more competitive in terms of rates. Of course, the cost of labour will also depend on the length and complexity of the job, along with whether there is a requirement for extra personnel or special equipment.
The electrician you employ is one area you certainly don’t want to be overly frugal with. You can tell when a project has been done by someone with little skill or experience, so to be in safe hands, opt for an electrician with a good reputation and experience.
How Long Does It Take to Install Loft Lighting?
The overall time it takes to install loft lighting varies from project to project and ultimately hinges on several factors, from the complexity of the installation to the number of fixtures and the accessibility to the loft space.
Some simple installations, such as the installation of a single pendant light, will be completed in as little as two hours, particularly if there is an existing port at the site or if there are minimal required wiring preparations.
Larger projects, such as recessed LED lights, will naturally take much longer to complete due to the advanced systems and the multiple fixtures within one system. For this, you will likely require around half a day to a day.
LED strip lighting is much quicker than recessed lighting as there are hardly any structural adjustments required. They are simply run along a beam or an edge and plugged in.
Looking away from the lighting and some of the additional costs that we explored earlier in the guide, more complex projects like rewiring the loft space and installing brand-new fixtures can take a few days.
Remember, it isn’t just the installation but the preparation work and the after-completion testing to ensure everything is working as it should and is compliant with building regulations.
For lofts with skylights, these integrated solutions are much more time-intensive, which is reflected in the price of both the units and the labour. Firstly, they require structural alterations, which we know are costly and time-consuming. They also require integration with existing roofing systems and the sealing of the skylight.
Accessibility will always play a huge role in the duration of a project. Unfinished lofts or lifts that do not have pre-existing wiring and floorboards will need to be taken very slowly in order to be safe. Both for the inhabitants of the house and the tradespeople working for you.
To ensure that you are fully aware of the time your project is likely to take, communicate with your tradesperson to get an idea of timescales based on your property. They will advise you on any challenges that your loft may present, and you can plan accordingly from there.
Types of Loft Lighting
As you may have spotted, there are actually quite a few options available to you when it comes to choosing lighting for your loft. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, along with its quirks and design suitability. Here, we break down each option in a little more detail and provide pros, cons and costs.
Recessed Spotlights
Simply put, recessed spotlights are the modern choice. They offer very balanced and distributed lighting across the loft, along with being sleek and stylish.
They cost between £8-£25 per fixture and between £40-£80 for installation, again per fixture.
Pros
- A minimalist design that works seamlessly in any setting
- Provides balanced and distributed light throughout
- Compatible with smart controls
Cons
- It may require cutting into the ceiling
- Repairs will involve additional labour
Pendant Lights
Without a doubt, these lights are the basic option, but everything doesn’t always need to be any more than that - basic yet functional. Plus, with the addition of lampshades, you can make them suit pretty much any interior.
They cost between £40–£150 per fixture for basic designs, with designer options costing 100–£300 or more, and installation typically adds £60–£120 per fixture.
Pros
- Ideal for high ceilings
- Functional
- Cost Effective
Cons
- Heavier fixtures may require reinforcement
- Not suitable for low ceilings
LED Strips
A very innovative and easy-to-install choice, LED strip lighting is not only very cost-effective but it can be used in many different ways.
Sleek and cool lighting can highlight architecture, soft yellow light can create ambient light, and kids may enjoy a multicoloured option. It costs between £15–£40 per metre for standard LED strips, with smart options costing £30–£60 per metre. Installation adds £25–£60 per metre.
Pros
- Very energy efficient
- No bulbs
- Available in a wide variety of colour options with programmable settings
Cons
- It may not provide the best light for functional spaces
- Strips can fade over time
Skylights and Solar Tubes
These natural lighting options offer a very sustainable way to introduce natural daylight to your loft space, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting fixtures.
While much more expensive to install, they certainly increase the curb appeal of homes and are great for letting in air, too. Skylights cost around £400 to £1,500 for basic models, with installation adding £800 to £2,000. Solar tubes typically cost £200 to £700, with installation costing £400 to £1,000.
Pros
- Introduces natural light
- Improves curb appeal
- Lets in light and air
Cons
- Higher initial investment
- Little to no functionality during the nighttime
FAQs
Q: What is the best type of lighting for a loft?
A: There is no correct answer when it comes to the ‘best’ type of loft lighting, as all lighting fixtures are suitable for different applications.
For example, if you had a very low ceiling, you wouldn’t want to hang a pendant light as this would be very obstructive to anyone using the loft. Instead, the best option would be either LED strips or recessed LED lighting.
If you had a high ceiling and only used the loft for storage, a simple pendant light would be more than suitable and incredibly cost-effective, too!
Q: How much does it cost to rewire a loft for lighting?
A: Rewiring a loft will typically cost between £500 and £1,500, depending on the size of the loft and the complexity of the wiring, not to mention the type of fixture being installed. The conditioning of the existing wiring will actually impact the cost, if it is salvageable, it may be much more cost-effective.
The best thing to do is to get a quote from local electricians to price up the wiring for an accurate quote. You’ll pay around £35-£60 per hour or £250-£400 per day for their time.
Q: Do loft lighting installations require approval from building regulations?
A: In some cases, loft lighting projects may need building regulation approval, particularly if this space is being turned into a habitable space.
This approval process will ensure that the space is safe and compliant with electrical standards, along with fire safety and insulation regulations.
Approval is typically needed for:
- Loft conversions intended as living spaces.
- Rewiring, new circuits, or major electrical modifications.
- Smart lighting or high-voltage systems.
- Structural changes for skylights or integrated lighting.
Again, the best course of action is to communicate with your electrician to find out the information that relates specifically to your property.
Q: How can I find a good electrician?
Finding the right electrician for your loft lighting project is crucial, and the following tips can help you locate a skilled and reliable professional.
The age-old solution is personal referrals, which are one of the most reliable ways to find a trustworthy electrician. If a friend, family member, or even a neighbour has recently hired an electrician for a similar project, ask about their experience. Seeing the completed work in person can give you a better idea of the electrician's expertise and reliability.
Look at online platforms like Google or Trustpilot to read reviews and feedback from previous clients. These reviews often highlight the quality of work, professionalism, and reliability of the tradesperson, helping you make an educated decision.
You should always seek quotes from multiple electricians before hiring one. This is the best way to ensure you are receiving a fair price for the project.
Q: How much does it cost to convert my loft from scratch?
Converting a loft from the start into a usable living space will usually cost somewhere in the region of £20,000 and £50,000, depending on a range of factors. First of all, the type of loft will impact the price, along with the size of the loft and the features that you wish to include within it.
You should also consider additional factors like planning permission, building regulations, insulation, electrical work, and finishing, which in total can add £2,000–£8,000.
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