Move a light

Move a light in Truro

County: Cornwall

Moving a light fitting involves relocating a ceiling or wall light to a different position in a room. Homeowners often consider this job during redecorating or remodelling projects, where furniture arrangements or room use changes mean the existing light no longer provides optimal illumination. You might need to move a light fitting to: - Improve room lighting - Avoid awkward shadows caused by furniture placement - Make way for a loft conversion or partition wall - Upgrade or change the style of your lighting It’s important to use a qualified electrician for this work, as moving wiring incorrectly presents safety risks and must meet all relevant UK electrical regulations.

Open full page →

⭐ Introduction

You might need to move a light fitting to:

Improve room lighting
Avoid awkward shadows caused by furniture placement
Make way for a loft conversion or partition wall
Upgrade or change the style of your lighting

It’s important to use a qualified electrician for this work, as moving wiring incorrectly presents safety risks and must meet all relevant UK electrical regulations.

🔧 What the job involves

When an electrician moves a light fitting, they will carefully disconnect the existing wiring and remove the current fitting. They will then extend or re-route the electrical wiring within the ceiling or wall to the new desired location. A new mounting bracket and light fitting plate may be installed.

Work includes checking the circuit to ensure all cables remain in good condition, safe to use, and correctly connected. The electrician will also ensure the new position is safely wired back into your lighting circuit and complies with Part P of the Building Regulations.

Once the wiring is in place, the electrician fits the new light and tests the circuit to confirm everything works correctly and safely.

📝 Step-by-step from booking to completion

Initial enquiry
Contact a registered electrician to discuss your needs and check availability. Provide info on your current lighting setup and desired new location.
Survey and quote
The electrician visits your home to inspect the existing wiring and assess the work needed. They provide a written quote covering labour, materials, and any additional costs.
Booking a date
You agree on a date for the work. The electrician advises on any preparations you should make beforehand (e.g., clearing furniture, switching off electricity).
Day of works
The electrician arrives and starts by isolating the circuit to ensure safety. They remove the existing fitting, move the wiring, fit the new light, and test the new position for safe operation.
Wrap-up and certification
The electrician cleans up the work area and provides certification as required under Part P. They explain any maintenance or servicing advice.
Payment and paperwork
Settle the invoice, keeping all paperwork and certificates safe for your records and potential future property sales.

💷 Main costs to expect

Labour: Time to disconnect, move wiring, refit new light — typically charged hourly or as a fixed job rate.
Materials/parts: New cables, connectors, mounting bracket, possibly new light fitting if changing style.
Extras: Any replacement consumer unit fuse if needed, or protective fittings (if ceiling joists are involved).
Disposal: Removal of old fittings and waste cables.
Certification: Most electricians include Part P certification in the price, confirming compliance with Building Regulations.

Example itemisation:

Labour: £80 – £120
Wiring materials: £10 – £30
Light fitting bracket: £5 – £15
Disposal: £10
Certification: £20 – £30

📊 What affects the price

Access difficulties: High ceilings, loft access, deep ceiling voids.
Complexity: Long wiring runs, additional junction boxes, or concealed cabling (inside walls/ceilings vs. surface-mounted).
Regulations: Work must comply with Part P; certification costs vary.
Remedial works: Repairing plaster or ceiling damage caused during installation.
Location: London and the South East often incur higher labour rates; rural areas may have travel costs.
Timeline: Urgency or weekend work may increase costs.

⏱ How long does it take?

Simple move within same ceiling: About 1 to 2 hours.
Longer cable runs or tricky access: 3 to 4 hours or more.
Additional work (e.g., plaster repair): May extend job to a day or require return visit.

🏠 Can you DIY it?

Moving an existing light fitting involves working with live electricity and requires skills in wiring, circuit isolation, and compliance with Part P of British Building Regulations. It is not recommended to attempt this job yourself unless you are a qualified electrician registered with a competent persons scheme.

Incorrect wiring can cause electric shocks, fire risks, and invalidate home insurance.

Always hire a Gas Safe or Part P registered electrician for electrical work in homes to ensure safety and legality.

💰 Typical UK price range

Moving a light fitting usually costs between £120 and £300 including labour, materials, certification, and VAT at 20%. This estimate varies with job complexity and location but gives a practical budget guide.

✅ Handy tips before you start

Clear furniture and personal items from the room beforehand to give the electrician easy access.
Ensure you have a working torch or alternative light source for during the isolation of the lighting circuit.
Check your home insurance policy covers electrical improvements or notify them as needed.
Keep all paperwork, invoices, and certification for future reference or home sale.
If walls or ceilings are damaged, consider scheduling plaster repairs after the electrical work is complete.
Ask your electrician about the expected lifespan and servicing of your new light fitting.
Confirm that the electrician is Part P registered and will provide the necessary compliance certificate.

Checkatrade Which? Trusted Traders TrustATrader MyBuilder Rated People

Other electricians projects in Truro

Appliance Repair
Appliance Repair by a vetted local pro.
Bathroom TV Installation
Bathroom TV Installation by a vetted local pro.
Ceiling Fan Installation
Ceiling Fan Installation by a vetted local pro.
Chandelier Installation
Chandelier Installation by a vetted local pro.
Change a hard wired appliance point to a normal power socket
Change a hard wired appliance point to a normal power socket by a vetted local pro.
Connect a cooker or other appliance to an existing hard-wired power outlet
Connect a cooker or other appliance to an existing hard-wired power outlet by a vetted local pro.
Cooker Hood Repair
Cooker Hood Repair by a vetted local pro.
Diagnose and fix an electrical fault
Diagnose and fix an electrical fault by a vetted local pro.
Dimmer Switches Installation
Dimmer Switches Installation by a vetted local pro.
Disconnect a hard-wired cooker or other appliance
Disconnect a hard-wired cooker or other appliance by a vetted local pro.
Do one hour’s electrical work
Do one hour’s electrical work by a vetted local pro.
Drive Over Lights
Drive Over Lights by a vetted local pro.
EICR: Electrical Inspection Condition Report
EICR: Electrical Inspection Condition Report by a vetted local pro.
EPC Certificate
EPC Certificate by a vetted local pro.
Electric Blind
Electric Blind by a vetted local pro.
Electric Car Charger Installation
Electric Car Charger Installation by a vetted local pro.
Electric Fire Installation
Electric Fire Installation by a vetted local pro.
Electric Shower
Electric Shower by a vetted local pro.
Electrical Safety Check
Electrical Safety Check by a vetted local pro.
Electrical Wall Box
Electrical Wall Box by a vetted local pro.
Electrician Hourly Rate
Electrician Hourly Rate by a vetted local pro.
Emergency Electrician
Emergency Electrician by a vetted local pro.
Ethernet and Phone Lines
Ethernet and Phone Lines by a vetted local pro.
Extend wiring for new light where there hasn’t been one before
Extend wiring for new light where there hasn’t been one before by a vetted local pro.
Fire Suppression System
Fire Suppression System by a vetted local pro.
Fit switched fused spur for boiler or other appliance
Fit switched fused spur for boiler or other appliance by a vetted local pro.
Fix a light or light switch which isn’t working properly
Fix a light or light switch which isn’t working properly by a vetted local pro.
Fix a socket which isn’t working
Fix a socket which isn’t working by a vetted local pro.
Fix a tripping fusebox
Fix a tripping fusebox by a vetted local pro.
Fix an electric heater
Fix an electric heater by a vetted local pro.
Fix an extractor fan
Fix an extractor fan by a vetted local pro.
Fix an intercom which isn’t working correctly
Fix an intercom which isn’t working correctly by a vetted local pro.
Fix or replace bathroom pull switch
Fix or replace bathroom pull switch by a vetted local pro.
Hive Installation
Hive Installation by a vetted local pro.
Home Cinema
Home Cinema by a vetted local pro.
Home Generator Installation
Home Generator Installation by a vetted local pro.
Home Lift
Home Lift by a vetted local pro.
Indoor Lights Decor
Indoor Lights Decor by a vetted local pro.
Install Hot Tub power
Running a Hot Tub by a vetted local pro.
Install Recessed Lighting
Installing Recessed Lighting by a vetted local pro.
Install Smart Garage Door Opener
Smart Garage Door Opener by a vetted local pro.
Install Smart Lighting
Smart Lighting by a vetted local pro.
Install Under-Cabinet Lighting
Installing Under-Cabinet Lighting by a vetted local pro.
Install a Smart Meter
Smart Meter by a vetted local pro.
Install a light (to existing wiring)
Install a light (to existing wiring) by a vetted local pro.
Install a nest thermostat
Install a nest thermostat by a vetted local pro.
Install a new power outlet for a cooker or other hard-wired appliance and connect the appliance
Install a new power outlet for a cooker or other hard-wired appliance and connect the appliance by a vetted local pro.
Install an additional aerial socket
Install an additional aerial socket by a vetted local pro.
Install an additional light switch
Install an additional light switch by a vetted local pro.
Install an additional power socket
Install an additional power socket by a vetted local pro.
Install earth bonding
Install earth bonding by a vetted local pro.
Install new power outlet for a cooker or other hard-wired appliance and connect the appliance
Install new power outlet for a cooker or other hard-wired appliance and connect the appliance by a vetted local pro.
Install new smoke or heat detector
Install new smoke or heat detector by a vetted local pro.
Install or replace a Fusebox
Install or replace a Fusebox by a vetted local pro.
Lawn Mower Repair
Lawn Mower Repair by a vetted local pro.
Loss of power
Loss of power by a vetted local pro.
Motion Sensor Lights Installation
Motion Sensor Lights Installation by a vetted local pro.
Move a light switch
Move a light switch by a vetted local pro.
Move a power socket
Move a power socket by a vetted local pro.
Move a smoke or heat detector
Move a smoke or heat detector by a vetted local pro.
Move an Electric Meter
Moving an Electric Meter by a vetted local pro.
Move an aerial socket
Move an aerial socket by a vetted local pro.
Move an electric heater
Move an electric heater by a vetted local pro.
Move an intercom handset
Move an intercom handset by a vetted local pro.
New Electric Fuse Box
New Electric Fuse Box by a vetted local pro.
New Plug Sockets
New Plug Sockets by a vetted local pro.
Outdoor Cinema
Outdoor Cinema by a vetted local pro.
Outdoor Lights
Outdoor Lights by a vetted local pro.
Outdoor Socket Installation
Outdoor Socket Installation by a vetted local pro.
Oven Installation
Oven Installation by a vetted local pro.
Oven Repair
Oven Repair by a vetted local pro.
PIV Installation
PIV Installation by a vetted local pro.
Parking Sensor Installation
Parking Sensor Installation by a vetted local pro.
Portable Appliance Testing
Portable Appliance Testing by a vetted local pro.
Projector Installation
Projector Installation by a vetted local pro.
Repair or fix a fire alarm or fire alarm system
Repair or fix a fire alarm or fire alarm system by a vetted local pro.
Replace Circuit Breakers
Replacing Circuit Breakers by a vetted local pro.
Replace a fire alarm/smoke detector
Replace a fire alarm/smoke detector by a vetted local pro.
Replace a light switch
Replace a light switch by a vetted local pro.
Replace a power socket
Replace a power socket by a vetted local pro.
Replace an aerial socket
Replace an aerial socket by a vetted local pro.
Replace an electric fire
Replace an electric fire by a vetted local pro.
Replace an electric heater
Replace an electric heater by a vetted local pro.
Replace an extractor fan
Replace an extractor fan by a vetted local pro.
Replace an intercom handset
Replace an intercom handset by a vetted local pro.
Rewire a House
Rewire a House by a vetted local pro.
Roof Heating Cable Installation
Roof Heating Cable Installation by a vetted local pro.
Smart Home Installation
Smart Home Installation by a vetted local pro.
Smart Plugs
Smart Plugs by a vetted local pro.
Smart Speakers
Smart Speakers by a vetted local pro.
Smoke Alarm Installation
Smoke Alarm Installation by a vetted local pro.
Solar Battery
Solar Battery by a vetted local pro.
Solar Panel Installation
Solar Panel Installation by a vetted local pro.
Solar Panel Maintenance
Solar Panel Maintenance by a vetted local pro.
Stairlift Installation
Stairlift Installation by a vetted local pro.
Storage Heaters
Storage Heaters by a vetted local pro.
TV Aerial Installation
TV Aerial Installation by a vetted local pro.
TV Screen Repair
TV Screen Repair by a vetted local pro.
Wind Turbine Installation
Wind Turbine Installation by a vetted local pro.
Wireless Light Switch
Wireless Light Switch by a vetted local pro.

Are you a Tradesperson or business owner?

Grow your business with Fixington — tools and services for electricians, plumbers and heating engineers.

1) Fixington app

Estimate, schedule and invoice on the go with our iPhone app and web tools.

More info Buy

2) Fixdd job management

Manage jobs from quote to invoice, take card payments, and keep customers updated.

Visit fixdd.com

3) Get listed on Fixington

Appear where customers are searching. Showcase reviews and get discovered locally.

See all services for tradespeople