HOW TO HIRE · ELECTRICAL · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
A downlight installation in Ireland costs €40–€120 per light, typically around €70. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Restricted to Registered Electrical Contractor (REC): a new circuit; a rewire; a new or replacement distribution board; work at the meter; a new supply to a bathroom or an outdoor area. Not restricted: replacing a light fitting like for like; replacing a socket front like for like.
Search the Safe Electric register for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. safeelectric.ie →
Issued by the Registered Electrical Contractor on completion of restricted works, once tested. It matters because it records that the work met the national wiring rules and was tested, and it is asked for on sale, remortgage and insurance.
Agree before the work starts that you will be handed completion certificate, and keep it with the house papers.
Expect public liability; ask who the insurer is and for the policy number. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT at 13.5%, the reduced rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — installation Process — the installation involves cutting holes in the ceiling, wiring the lights, and securing them in place.
A good answer: On the day the work is finished and tested, not posted on later — initial Consultation — during the initial consultation, an electrician will assess your space to determine the best locations for downlights.
A good answer: Detail work cannot be rushed, so it costs more per hour on site. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Providers price it in because it cannot be worked around. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Doing them together saves the cost of a second visit. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Typically, downlight installation does not include any major electrical upgrades, such as rewiring or circuit installation — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a downlight installer job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability; ask who the insurer is and for the policy number — emergency Downlight Repair — fixing malfunctioning downlights to restore functionality and safety.
The figures are for the job, per light, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. New downlight installation and Downlight replacement each carry their own band. Downlight Installation price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
AFTER
MONEY BACK
Two public schemes touch electrical work in a home. Neither pays for the job itself; both are claimed for the equipment and its installation, and the amounts and the dates are SEAI's own.
Who: A homeowner, or anyone with off-street parking at the property. You do not have to own an electric vehicle to apply.
Who: The owner of a home built and occupied before 2025.
Schemes change. The amounts above were checked on the dates shown; the official page is the one that counts.
The cost can be influenced by the number of downlights being installed, the complexity of the job, and any required electrical upgrades. Additional features like dimmers or smart controls can also increase the overall price.
Installation time can vary, but most jobs take between 2 to 5 hours depending on the number of lights and the existing electrical setup. Complex jobs may require additional time for planning and adjustments.
Same-day installation may be available depending on the electrician's schedule and the scope of the job. It's best to contact local electricians directly to inquire about their availability for urgent requests.
Yes, booking multiple installations can often be more cost-effective as electricians may offer discounts for larger jobs. Additionally, it saves time and reduces overall labour costs.
Typically, downlight installation does not include any major electrical upgrades, such as rewiring or circuit installation. If structural modifications are needed, those would be considered separate services.
Search the name or the registration number. If the number does not resolve to the name on the quote, stop there.
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