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How much does it cost to replace a bathroom light?

The light bulb in my bathroom flashes when switched off and it makes a sizzling noise. An electrician told me that the bulb holder needed replacing or it could be some loose wiring but he cannot fix it for me, he told me that there are regulations for bathroom lights these days, and that to comply, I will need an IP rating light and quoted me £160! Am I being fobbed off? Is this work necessary?

Public Comments

  1. Far too much.
  2. I think the part-P regulations stipulate different rules on the type of fitting depending on where the light fitting is located in the bathroom ie. how far it is from the bath or basin. Does it still sizzle when all the lights in the house are turned off? If so that sounds particularly dodgy to me and I would turn the lighting circuit off in your main fuse box before anything catches fire.
  3. Way too expensive, parts a tenner tops, labour £150? for undoing three screws and a pair of wood screws. Con comes to mind.
  4. Definitely being taken for a ride! Buy a light suitable for bathrooms at a local DIY store, and replace it yourself. Or if you don't feel comfortable doing so, get at least 3 quotes. It's a ten minute job, and shouldn't cost you more than £25 from a decent contractor.
  5. I'm not sure how much electricians get paid across the pond, but it sounds like about 30 to 45 minutes of labor to replace the socket. So along with the price of a new socket, L160 (~$80) is a little on the high side, but not excessive, IMO. As for whether it's necessary, it sounds like the switch is bad. Although most sockets are relatively immune from bursting into flames, a resistive connection IS one of the more dangerous electrical conditions to have. Unwanted resistance contributes to generating very high temperatures, and can sometimes send sparks out -- which, as I said, should be contained by the socket housing, unless it has been modified or is ancient. (which I suppose over there, the latter is a distinct possibility! And I mean that in a "good" way. :-) )
  6. Sounds way too much to me. I'm in the US but a new fixture only costs about $20 (depending on the fixture). You can replace it yourself or call a "handyman" and save the expense. Its quick and easy.
  7. Boring, basic IP44 light fitting is 10-20 quid. As it is maintenance, you don't even need a Part P person, or any notification. I'd charge 40 quid call-out to change it.
  8. Turn your electric off and get up there with a screwdriver and fix the loose wire, or replace the socket with a new one cost about £2.60pence Time about ten minutes You can go to a library and check out a D.I.Y .book..
  9. yes this is true you are not even alowwed to do it yourself see if you can get a better qoute from either www.screwfix.com OR www.toolstation.com DO NOT DO IT YOURSELF YOU COULD BE arrested yes really