Downlights in new build help.

BennyC

BennyC

BennyC

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Hi Guys,

I was wondering if any resident electricians would be able to advise me on my situation.

I have a new build due to complete in October. Part of my desired upgrades inclued 33 downlighters throughout the house and 12 waterproof ones (6 in each) in the bathrooms.

The vomit inducing price to have them fitted by the developer comes out at £1650 for the regular downlights and £780 for the waterproof ones. A gob smacking £2430 for about 8-900 worth of materials. Price per unit works out at £50 per regular fitting and £65 per waterproof one (as shown in the upgrades handbook)

I popped on myhammer and have quotes from £1000 upto £1800 for supply and fit. My father used to work in the electrical wholesale business so I know that models & specifications of the downlights will vary grately (voltages, wattage, transformers etc etc)

I'm considering supplying the lights myself and just having someone come and install them and do the wiring however I haven't a clue where to start.

Whether I should be looking at LED? Or standard (halogen is it?) bulbs? There will be standard light fittings in most rooms except the bathrooms so the ones in the bathrooms will need to be reasonably bright to light the room. Also the sales rep said that each of the ones they supply come with their own individual transformer and are fire rates so I'm guessing I require this too so the NHBC will sign the warranty on the house? And it would also be eaiser to replace one unit with a small transformer than have to call a spark out to dig up one larger transformer for them all.

The developer won't be willing to allow me to send my own spark in there during the build to get in the way so the floor upstairs will need removing and then replacing (tongue & groove chipboard most likely, I've been told this might not go back down well?) and also loft insulation will need removing and replacing too with any necessary ventilation room for the lights.

I know I can get this done cheaper than the £2500 I'm being quoted by the developer I just feel a little bit clueless as to what it is I actually want!

What would you be recommending?

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

BennyC
 
There is no way that I would pay that sort of price for downlighters.

I'd just tell them to forget it, and you can get it done at a later date. I'm personally not a great fan of downlighters anyway, as the light is very harsh and unpleasant.
 
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I very much doubt youll have to remove the floor boards, you should be able to do it from underneath. Im currently building my own and weve just had the sparks in for first fix. I wouldnt bother with leds either they're not worth it for the extra price.
 
thedinks said:
By downlighters do you mean spots?
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I think my definition they are 'downlighters' but are reffered to as 'spotlights'. The kind that are almost flush with the ceiling.

Unlight said:
There is no way that I would pay that sort of price for downlighters.

I'd just tell them to forget it, and you can get it done at a later date.
Click to expand...

That's what I plan on doing.

Gilly said:
Your whole floor is made of chipboard? :/ Is that standard these days?

Do it yourself afterwards if you're worried about the cash.
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Upstairs as far as I'm aware is chipboard. Most developers do this to reduce build costs. Downstairs is concrete. Probably won't be long before they end up making that from chipboard too.

As for the waterproof ones in order to have the NHBC warranty on the build valid they will need to confirm to the new building regulations in place.

I hope it's okay to link to these:

http://www.lightupuk.co.uk/shop/ind...ducts_id=784:a68c7c6d71dceb6c5b0db9dad957a04e

For the bathrooms:

http://www.lightupuk.co.uk/shop/ind...ducts_id=785:6352b4e5ce1949eb3e9653e10c41683e

Is what I'm after, which would be a grand total of £420 excluding any wiring.
 
thedinks said:
I very much doubt youll have to remove the floor boards, you should be able to do it from underneath. Im currently building my own and weve just had the sparks in for first fix. I wouldnt bother with leds either they're not worth it for the extra price.
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Kool, thanks, Is it not difficult to run the wiring to the switch in the wall? As I would like to have the 4 at one end of the kitchen on a seperate circuit to the 6 at the other end, along with the standard pendant light fitting on it's own circuit too.
 
I put the 2nd set you linked into my bathroom & toilet.
Purchased mine from QVS who also do low energy versions of the GU10 lamps.
 
BennyC said:
Kool, thanks, Is it not difficult to run the wiring to the switch in the wall? As I would like to have the 4 at one end of the kitchen on a seperate circuit to the 6 at the other end, along with the standard pendant light fitting on it's own circuit too.
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Is the developer letting you put lights in before the plasterer has been?
 
Gilly said:
Your whole floor is made of chipboard? :/ Is that standard these days?

Do it yourself afterwards if you're worried about the cash.
Click to expand...

Yes. Chipboard sub floor across the joists, then underlay and carpet.

If tiling you can also use a 9mm board on top of the chip board to prevent the rigid subfloor from cracking the tiles. i.e. you want a bit of flex, which the extra layer provides.

@ OP: Downlighters require a "plant pot" heat shield, if you're putting insulation on top. This needs to be factored in to the price.
 
thedinks said:
Is the developer letting you put lights in before the plasterer has been?
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Doubtful.

The build will have to be 'complete' and signed off post snagging reports & fixes before I'm allowed to start my carpeting/tiling/lighting I would imagine. I will ask though.

EVH said:
Yes. Chipboard sub floor across the joists, then underlay and carpet.

If tiling you can also use a 9mm board on top of the chip board to prevent the rigid subfloor from cracking the tiles. i.e. you want a bit of flex, which the extra layer provides.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll bare this in mind.

@ OP: Downlighters require a "plant pot" heat shield, if you're putting insulation on top. This needs to be factored in to the price.
Click to expand...

Aye, I've seen the 'heat sheilds'. Are these still necessary despite the lights being fire rated? As I though these ones generated less heat and the heat sheild was accounted for in the unit itself.
 
BennyC said:
Aye, I've seen the 'heat sheilds'. Are these still necessary despite the lights being fire rated? As I though these ones generated less heat and the heat sheild was accounted for in the unit itself.
Click to expand...

I'd buy some ceramic pots from the garden centre, and same some $$
 
Iv got a property im having re vamped ready to let its costing me about 45 quid per light all in, under cabinet and ceiling spot lights.

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