What's involved
Design and installation of recessed LED downlights, pendant and feature lights, under-cabinet and outdoor lighting, dimmer switches and smart controls — including fire-rated and IP-rated fittings for kitchens and bathrooms, all tested and certified.
- As a rough guide, one downlight every 1.2–1.5m of ceiling: a typical kitchen needs around 6–10 and a bedroom 4–6.
- Bathrooms need IP-rated fittings for the zone near water, and downlights cut into a ceiling must be fire-rated — we fit the correct type as standard.
- LEDs use around 80–90% less energy than old halogen fittings and last far longer, so upgrading usually pays for itself in running costs.
When you need lighting & downlights
A kitchen or bathroom refit, replacing dated or halogen fittings, dark or poorly lit rooms, a new extension, or switching to energy-saving LED.
How many downlights, and where
Good downlighting is about spacing, not just quantity. As a rule of thumb we plan one downlight for every 1.2–1.5 metres of ceiling, then adjust around beams, wardrobes and worktops so the light falls where you actually use the room. A typical Billericay kitchen takes six to ten, a bedroom four to six, and a bathroom two to four depending on layout. We mark out the positions with you before cutting a single hole.
Fire-rated and bathroom-safe fittings
Any downlight cut into a ceiling breaches the fire barrier between floors, so building regulations require fire-rated fittings that reinstate that protection — we fit these as standard, never the cheap non-rated type. In bathrooms, fittings must also be IP-rated for their zone: IP65 directly over a bath or shower, stepping down as you move away from the water. Getting the zone right is exactly the sort of detail an unregistered trader gets wrong. Where downlights sit below a loft, we keep the correct clearance from insulation so nothing overheats.
LED, dimming and running cost
Switching from halogen to LED cuts the lighting energy on that circuit by roughly 80–90% and the lamps last years longer, so a re-lamp usually pays for itself. A supplied-and-fitted set of about six LED downlights typically runs £350–£500 (roughly £50–£80 per downlight), with single light-point swaps cheaper. We can add dimmer switches matched to the driver so they don't buzz or flicker, warm 2700K or cooler 4000K lamps to suit the room, and app- or voice-controlled smart lighting. See our price guide or get a free quote.
Lighting & Downlights — at a glance
| Typical price | £150–£600 per room per room, typical |
|---|---|
| Typical timeframe | Half day |
| Building Regs (Part P) | Not notifiable, but tested and certified |
| Certification | Completed to BS 7671 (18th Edition) with the correct certificate |
| Areas covered | Billericay, Basildon, Wickford, Brentwood, Ingatestone, Stock & nearby |
See our full price guide — every job is confirmed with a fixed written quote first.
Get a free lighting & downlights quote
We respond within one working day
- 1. Tell us the job — a quick description and your postcode, no obligation.
- 2. Free written quote — a clear, itemised price with no hidden call-out fees.
- 3. Certified work — completed to BS 7671 with your certificate and Part P notification.
- NICEIC Registered
- Part P Approved
- NAPIT
- Fully Insured
Lighting & Downlights — FAQs
How many downlights do I need in a room?
As a rough guide, one downlight every 1.2–1.5m of ceiling. A typical kitchen needs around 6–10 and a bedroom 4–6, but we'll plan a layout to suit the room and your furniture.
Are LED downlights cheaper to run than halogens?
Yes — LEDs use around 80–90% less energy than old halogen fittings and last far longer, so upgrading usually pays for itself in running costs and fewer replacements.
Do bathroom and kitchen lights need special fittings?
Yes — bathrooms need IP-rated fittings suited to the zone near water, and downlights cut into a ceiling need to be fire-rated. We fit the correct type as standard.
Can you fit dimmable and smart lighting?
Yes — we install dimmer switches and smart, app- or voice-controlled lighting with scenes, so you can set the right mood and save energy.