Are you thinking about installing new lighting in your home? If so, you’ll need the help of a professional electrician to get the job done. The only problem is that if you want to stay on budget, you’ll need to know how much hiring an electrician costs in the first place. So, how much does it cost for an electrician to install a light, and what factors might have an effect on the price you pay?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Electrician to Install a Light?
While it may seem like this question should have a pretty straightforward answer, in reality, there are a wide variety of variables that can affect the cost of your specific lighting project. Everything from the type of lighting you’re installing, and the general size and scope of your project to the cost of labor, materials, and more all make answering this question a lot more complicated.
At the end of the day, every light installation is different, and there’s no way to accurately predict how much your specific project will cost before you actually talk to an electrician. However, if you want to get a better idea of a general price range, here is everything you need to know about how much installing lighting costs and what may cause that price to go up.
The Price of the Light Fixture
Every light installation project starts with the fixture itself, so while it may seem like a given, the price you pay for your light fixture can have a significant effect on the overall cost of your project.
Buying more expensive lights not only increases your upfront costs, but particularly fancy fixtures may require extra care to handle, which can increase the amount of time the installation takes. So, while you should never skimp out on getting the exact lights and fixtures you want for your home, you should also be aware of how your choice will fit into your desired budget.
The Type of Lighting Your Installing
Residential lighting comes in all different shapes and sizes, and some are much more difficult to install than others. For example, installing a pendant light is much less complicated and labor-intensive than installing recessed lighting, which involves cutting drywall and more complex electrical wiring. So, if you want to get a better idea of what your installation might cost, think about the type of lighting that you want to install and whether or not it will require extra labor time.
Cost of Labor
The cost of labor is probably the most significant factor affecting your total installation costs, and just like all the other variables, they can vary widely depending on the electrician you go with.
Less experienced electricians may charge as little as $60 an hour to complete your installation. However, more experienced master electricians could potentially charge upwards of $100 per hour for the same installation. Of course, you will get what you pay for, but if you want to get an accurate estimate of what your light installation might cost, you’ll need to know more about the hourly rates of the electricians in your area.
Size and Scope of the Project
This one is pretty self-explanatory. After all, installing one light will obviously take up a lot less time and labor than installing completely new lighting on your entire first floor. So, if you’re only planning on installing a few new light fixtures, you can expect your installation costs to be on the cheaper side of things. However, if you’re planning something much bigger, you should expect the costs to go up exponentially.
Cost of Removing Old Lighting
Installing brand new lighting is one thing, but if you’re replacing existing lights in your home, the electrician will need to remove them before they can install the new ones.
In general removal costs don’t usually add up to much. However, if you’re replacing lots of lights or the light that you’re replacing is difficult to access, it could cause the installation to take a lot longer than you originally expected, increasing costs in the process.
Additional Materials
Some light installation projects may require additional materials like junction boxes, additional wiring, and dimmer switches to complete. While it may or may not be possible for you to know exactly what additional materials the electrician will need before you start your project, it’s still important to understand that additional materials mean higher costs.
Permits
Not all light installation projects require permits. However, depending on the type of lighting you wish to install and where you live, you may need to acquire one before you are able to start your installation.
Permit costs vary widely, so you’ll most likely need to contact your local government’s building and zoning department to get an exact number. However, chances are that the electrician you plan to work with has some sort of experience acquiring these types of permits and may be able to help you out if you need it.
Contact New London Electric Today
Are you planning to install new lighting in your home? Give New London Electric a contact us online. Our team is always here to answer your questions, and we’ll happily tell you more about how we can meet all your electrical needs. We even offer free estimates so you can get a good idea of what your specific project will cost upfront.
Whether you want to know how much our electricians charge to install a new outlet or you want to get your new lighting installed as quickly as possible, we always have your back. So, don’t trust your home to anyone but the best. Contact New London Electric and get your free estimate today!
