Typical prices
Downlights are priced per fitting, but there's always a fixed element too: getting into the ceiling, running the cable from the existing light position, connecting to the switch and testing the circuit. That's why one or two downlights cost more per light than a full room.
The figures below assume a ground-floor room with a plasterboard ceiling, access from above or reasonable cable routes, and good-quality fire-rated LED fittings.
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Per downlight, as part of a room | £60 – £120 |
| Small room or hallway (4 lights) | £300 – £550 |
| Living room (6 – 8 lights) | £400 – £900 |
| Kitchen-diner (10 – 14 lights) | £700 – £1,500 |
| Adding a dimmer switch | £60 – £150 |
| Making good the ceiling (if needed) | Extra |
Indicative costs to install LED downlights (2026, supplied and fitted)
What affects the cost
No two ceilings are quite the same. These are the things an electrician will look at before quoting:
- Access – a loft above makes the job much quicker than a ceiling between two floors
- Joist direction – cables running across joists need drilling or notching
- Ceiling type – lath and plaster is slower and messier than plasterboard
- Fittings – fire-rated, IP-rated and colour-switchable lights cost more
- Dimming – dimmable lights and compatible dimmers add cost
- Number of switches and circuits – zoning lights into groups means more wiring
Fire-rated downlights
Every downlight cuts a hole in the ceiling. Where the ceiling forms a fire barrier – between floors in a house, or between flats – fire-rated fittings help keep that protection intact. Many electricians now fit fire-rated downlights as standard. They cost a little more but are the safer choice.
In bathrooms, downlights must also have the right IP rating for the zone they're in. See bathroom electrics zones explained.
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How many downlights does a living room need?
There's no fixed rule, but a common approach is one downlight for every 1.2–1.5 square metres in a kitchen and fewer in a living room, where lamps and other lighting add atmosphere. A typical living room of around 16–20m² often has six to eight downlights, ideally on a dimmer. Spacing them evenly – roughly 1.2–1.5m apart and around 0.5–0.6m from the walls – avoids dark corners.
Our guide to choosing LED downlights covers beam angles, colour temperature and brightness.
Dimmers and smart control
Not every LED works with every dimmer. Mismatched combinations can buzz, flicker or fail to dim smoothly. Your electrician should match dimmable lamps to a compatible LED dimmer. If you want smart switches, check whether a neutral wire is available at the switch. See LED dimmer buzzing and flicker and smart switches and the neutral wire.
Certificates and getting quotes
Adding downlights to an existing lighting circuit is usually minor works. The electrician should give you a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate. If a new circuit is needed, it becomes notifiable work – see Part P building regulations explained.
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