Installing downlights - what to charge?

[geordie]

Hi all

I have been asked to supply and fit 6 downlighters from the ceiling side of a living room, doesnt look too complicated and doesnt need to be low voltage. How much would you charge for this job? Im just a bit unsure.

 

[Mark.W]

£200 including materials and certification.

 

[gpz900jim]

i would say about 60 pounds materials, 100 pounds labour. It should only take you half a day max to do that.

 

[i=p/u]

throw in dimmner switch too, younjust gonna notch out between joice

 

[nickblake]

Firstly work out the cost of the down lighters ,down lighter junction box ,HR flex , type of down lighters ,halogen CFL or LED ,i always use fire rated one , you are required to do this if an occupied room above, then estimate how long it will take and muliply this with your hourly rate

 

[DurhamSparky]

50 quid a light!

 

[Spudnik]

Yep, i charge around 40 a fitting, dependant on ease of installation.

 

[i=p/u]

so if you had say pendant in the room would you just start from there. how would you leave ceiling? for someone to skim or are you neat enough????

 

[geordie]

Theres two light fittings in the room, i will fill the holes with plasterboard and then skim over them with plaster

 

[nickblake]

If you are cutting holes for the down lighters and there is loft space above ,pop up into the loft and measure the ceiling joists and between them then transfer the measurments to the ceiling this way you can set out the lights and miss the joists nothing worse then a ceiling full of holes due to hitting the joists

oh and duram and jason are spot on with the costs £40 - £50 easily unless you use the nice Halers then its £50 just for the fitting no heat no lamp replacement !!

 

[i=p/u]

is he not doing it from living room side---room above

 

[MarkieSparkie]

I hope your intention is not to notch the joists on the underside, as this practice is a contravention of Part P of Building Regulations (EGBR 2.3.2 and OSG 7.3.1) and structurally dangerous.

 

[i=p/u]

i thought was allowed

 

[telectrix]

could make huge holes in ceiling, drill joists, feed in cable, patch ceiling, get the ceiling skimmed and redecorated fit downlights. total cost of job £1950, or notch joists underneath and make good with filler after fitting metal cable guards. job done for £300

 

[Simlec]

"notch joists underneath and make good with filler after fitting metal cable guards. job done"

Big NO NO for me.