Costs to aid your lighting specifications

An average household dedicates about 15% of its electricity bill to lighting. We can reduce our lighting bill and energy usage by changing which bulbs we use and how we use them. Houses typically use a mixture of standard light fittings and downlighters or spotlight fittings; energy efficient bulbs are available for both. Switching to good quality, smart lighting controls and energy efficient lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your electricity bill. 

Lighting is one of the features that makes a house a home. Good lighting allows you to perform tasks easily and safely, improves wellbeing and can make spaces feel brighter, more welcoming and comfortable. Several factors determine the choice of lighting, including function or different uses of the room, aesthetic requirements, degree of comfort required and cost. Factors such as energy consumption, lamps and ballast life, installation and maintenance costs must also be considered. Sometimes a system may cost more initially, but the savings realised over a few years will justify the outlay. Each room has specific and general lighting needs.

The following guide reflects the prices a developer might expect to pay on a medium-sized residential project for products in the low- to upper-middle specification range. Prices allow for straightforward electrical installations (per point), including the cost for cable, conduit and conduit fittings, from distribution boards to appliances and fittings, and for switch plates, socket outlets etc (main switchboards, distribution boards, main and sub-main cables not included). Prices do not include the contractor’s preliminaries, overheads and profit margin. 

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The rates are based on the UK average and represent typical prices at 2019, 3rd quarter. Please note that prices can vary significantly depending on the exact specification. Prices are in £ and are based on the BCIS Schedule of rates online services. For more information go to http://www.rics.org/bcis