Cost of Outside Security Lights

How Much Are Outside Security Lights?

If you are looking to secure your home, you may want to consider hiring an electrician to install security lights outside your property.

The average security light fitting cost will vary depending on the type of lighting you choose, for instance, floodlights costs around £80 to £180 to install, while motion sensors are normally priced at £90 to £500.

More expensive options include spotlights which range from £80 to £500 and landscape lights cost around £80 to £1100.

The cost to install a security light may differ depending on several factors, including where you are having the lights installed, how many lights you want, as well as the location of your property, as the labour cost for electricians will depend on the specific area.

Security Light Installation Costs

Below you will find estimates of a typical security light installation cost for various types of outdoor lighting:

Supply Costs

If you are planning to install security lights without the help of a professional, then you save a significant amount on expenses, although you do have to consider the following material costs:

Additional Security Light Costs

There are several other expenses you need to consider when calculating a security light installation price, including:

Security Alarm

For additional protection, you might want to install a security alarm in your property to scare off potential intruders.

It will also alert you if there is any unusual activity going on around your property’s exits. Some security alarms also notify emergency services, which is helpful if your home is being burgled as this will enable them to catch the burglar on the scene.

CCTV

To enhance the security in your home and deter intruders, you may wish to consider the installation cost of a CCTV system. CCTV stands for closed-circuit television, a type of video system which can record video images and transmit them to a television screen or monitor.

Installing CCTV can act as an effective deterrent, especially if you have CCTV at the front of your home, as this scare away burglars. In the event your home is still broken into, CCTV will provide evidence to help track down the intruder.

Labour Costs and Time Frames

Most security specialists or electricians will work by themselves to carry out this sort of work and will usually take just one to two hours to install the security light.

Most electricians charge around £150 to £200 per day in labour and will normally work in half days at a minimum so you can expect a labour cost of around £75-£100.

What is an Outside Security Light?

An outdoor security light is normally installed to deter or detect any unauthorised intrusions in and around your property.

They differ slightly to typical outdoor lights in that security lights offer a significant level of protection, for example, motion sensor lights turn on when any movement is detected near your home, which will alert you to potential intrusions.

Some security lights are simply programmed to come on at set times and can also be switched on and off manually if required.

Light-sensitive security lights can also be used which come on when it gets dark, using a photocell to detect dropping light levels.

Security lights are popular as they can offer home offers reassurance and are also able to deter intruders from just the sight of security lights.

They also help to enhance the exterior of your home and also make it much easier to navigate night by lighting up the garden or pathways.

They are normally installed at the front and back of the property near doorways or windows where burglars are more likely to enter.

Cost Affecting Factors of Installing a Security Light

There are various price factors you need to consider when evaluating the cost of installing outdoor security light fixtures, the first being the type of lighting you choose as well as how many you need.

The positioning of your lights will also determine the final price, so once you have figured out how you want to switch on the lighting, you also need to think about the positioning of the actual light units to determine the range.

The cost of this will vary depending on the level of access, as electricians may charge extra for homes with limited installation room.

Another contributing cost factor is the location of your property, as electricians charge varying rates depending on where they work.

For example, London-based electricians tend to charge around £260 per day, while Electrician rates in northern England are normally around £150 per day.

What Does Installing an Outside Security Light Entail?

To help you understand the process of hiring a professional to install outside security lights around your home, here is a breakdown of what the job involves.

1. Switching Off the Power

The first step involves turning off all electrical power using a residual current device (RCD) to ensure the job is completed safely.

2. Preparing the Area

Once all the electrics are off, and it is safe to install the lights, the tradesman will then drill a hole where you want your lights installing.

They will then line the hole with plastic conduit before feeding the cables through the hole.

3. Connecting the Wires

Once the cables are fed through, the electrician will then connect the cable cores to the right terminals, followed by securing them with PVC electrical tape.

4. Fitting the Light

After the cables are secure, the tradesman can then fix the light in place, making sure that it is level and flush to the surface before a sealant is applied.

5. Installing a Switch

Now the light is in place; the light supply cable will be fed back into the property to connect to a four-terminal junction box.

The switch will then be installed along with core-and-earth cables which will be connected to the junction box.

6. Testing the Light

When everything is installed, the electrician will then isolate the circuit and double-check that all the power is shut off by using a voltage tester.

Once this confirmed they will then cut through the circuit cable and connect the right parts to the junction box.

Ready to get a quote from local tradesmen?

Post your job in minutes and get quotes from local and reliable trades. It's FREE. No obligations.

Get a Quote

DIY Installing an outside Security Light

If you are looking to lower your costs, you may want to consider installing outside security lights yourself, which will save you around £75 to £100 per day.

However, if you do not have previous experience with installing lights, then this may not be the best option, as working with wiring can be quite dangerous.

For instance, if you install the light while the electric supply is still off or you connect the wrong wires, you could be at risk of being electrocuted.

If you are an experienced DIY enthusiast, then you may want to save on labour costs by preparing the area for installation by drilling the hole where you want the light fitted. To do this, you will need the following tools:

• Hammer drill (£40 to £100)
• Masonry drill bits (£1 to £150 each)
• Tape measure (£2 to £50)
• Safety glasses (£1 to £40)
• Wall anchor (£3 to £7 each)

If you decide to install the security lights yourself, then you will need to ensure the job is compliant with current building regulations.

For reassurance, you may want to hire a competent person to assess the job to check if it is installed safely and properly.

Choosing Outside Security Lights

Outdoor security lighting is becoming a popular addition to gardens and driveways in the UK.

Security lighting can effectively deter would-be criminals while at the same time can light up your property to make you feel that bit safer when arriving home in the evening.

But there are a number of different types of security lighting systems, each with their own power option and operating range - but how do you decide which is best for your household?

Read on to find out which options are available and how to choose the ideal lighting solution for your home.

Motion Sensor Security Light Cost

Most outdoor security lighting installations in the UK use motion sensors to activate them, so they operate only when there is movement in the vicinity of your home.

The average cost of motion sensor lights is around £10 to £50 each, although this will vary on the style you choose.

Pros

• ✔ Will deter potential intruders with sudden bright lights
• ✔ Energy-efficient, reducing light pollution and energy bills as they only turn on when required
• ✔ Heat responsive, so won't respond to movements such as leaves blowing in the wind

Cons

• ✖ Can prove harder to manually control compared to other security lights
• ✖ Light may cut off suddenly when relaxing outside due to lack of movement
• ✖ Will potentially cause disruption if triggered without cause for concern

Floodlights Cost

Floodlights are another popular security light which features a high-intensity broad-beam pathway.

The average cost of floodlights is around £4 to £80, although this will depend on their style and size.

Pros

• ✔ Extremely long-lasting, especially LED lightbulbs which last a lot longer than regular bulbs
• ✔ Weather-resistant and safe option as lighting produces minimal heat
• ✔ Floodlighting produces a wide coverage, ideal for large outdoor areas

Cons

• ✖ Not suitable for a high level of lighting, as the power doesn't tend to exceed 200 watts
• ✖ May require several units for full-coverage of the area required
• ✖ Overall cost for multiple floodlights can be higher than other alternatives

Landscape Security Light Cost

Landscape security lights typically cost around £2 to £1000, with the cost depending on the type of lights you choose, with options including pathway lights, LED ground lights and decking lights being the most popular.

You may also incur a significant increase in your electrical bills, especially in the summer, when you will use your outdoor spaces more often.

Pros

• ✔ Varieties range from those on a budget to high-end options
• ✔ Work well in tandem with security cameras for deterring potential intruders
• ✔ Suitable for making walkways and other dark areas safer at night

Cons

• ✖ Installation can become expensive if extra wiring is needed
• ✖ May cause a significant increase in electrical bills due to usage
• ✖ Often more suited to enhancing home safety, rather than as a deterrent

Spotlights Cost

Security spotlights feature a narrow beam of intense artificial light which are normally installed in walkways or exterior walls.

You should expect to pay around £8 to £400 for the materials only.

Pros

• ✔ Very long-lasting and usually average around 50,000 hours of consistent lighting
• ✔ Extremely durable, normally encased in aluminium, allowing them to be waterproof and shockproof
• ✔ Suitable for high-traffic areas

Cons

• ✖ Uses standard bulbs which are prone to blowing out and overheating
• ✖ May require additional investment in LED bulbs as an alternative
• ✖ Limited area coverage compared to floodlights

Solar Security Light Cost

A solar security light is powered by solar cells which are made up of multiple layers of crystalline and additional chemicals which convert sunlight into electrical currents. Solar lights normally cost around £1 to £20.

Pros

• ✔ Free energy and can be just as useful as more-expensive mains-powered lights
• ✔ Lower installation costs as can be a DIY project as there's no wiring involved
• ✔ No ongoing running costs making them a budget-friendly option

Cons

• ✖ Produce a lower light output compared to mains-powered alternatives
• ✖ Unreliable in poor weather or low-light conditions
• ✖ Less effective for security unless used in conjunction with LED bulbs

LED Security Light Cost

LED security lights are one of the most popular options, as they are made up of light-emitting diodes (LED), which is a semiconductor that produces one of the brightest artificial light sources.

LED security lights are typically priced at around £7 to £75.

Pros

• ✔ Extremely bright and energy-efficient
• ✔ Longer lifespan and more environmentally friendly due to using less power per unit
• ✔ As a result prove more cost-effective if left on for long periods of time

Cons

• ✖ An LED security light isn't the cheapest option available
• ✖ Potentially too bright if also being utilised for decorative purposes
• ✖ May not be compatible with older light fittings and wiring

What are the Benefits of Outside Security Lights?

Before hiring a professional to install your outdoor security lights, you should consider the following benefits:

Enhanced Safety

The most obvious benefit of installing security lights outside your home is that it protects your property and family, as the presence of security lights act as an initial deterrent to potential intruders.

Security lights such as motion sensors are also inept at alerting residents about intruders as the light automatically switch on when any nearby movement is detected.

This gives homeowners a chance to be prepared while also enabling them to ring the authorities if necessary.

Increased Property Value

A not so obvious advantage of having outdoor security lights is that they can actually improve your home value, especially if you have a hi-tech security light installation.

The reason for this is because your property will become a lot more attractive to people looking for a secure home that they feel safe in, enabling them to feel inclined to pay more for the property.

Aesthetically-Pleasing

Another important element that outdoor security lights offer is an enhanced aesthetic, as exterior lighting can enhance the best features of your property even in the dark.

It can also improve the look of your garden by highlighting pathways or flowers which is not only safer but also more pleasing to the eye.

Lower Insurance Premiums

One other surprising advantage of security lights is that they can actually enable you to lower your home insurance, especially if you have invested a significant amount on security lights.

The reason for this is because a property with outdoor security light is less prone to break-ins or vandalism, unlike properties without which are 300% more likely to be targeted.

Cost of Removing a Security Light

If you have any faulty security lights or planning to update your exterior, then you may want to consider getting your security lights removed.

The removal cost for security lights will vary depending on the type of lighting you choose, as some are harder to remove than others.

However, the average price normally ranges from £75 to £100 to hire an electrician to remove it and around £100 to £290 to hire a waste removal company to dispose of the old lighting.

FAQs

How to Find & Hire a Security Light Installer

To ensure your outdoor security lights are fitted properly, you should consider hiring a professional electrician to secure and enhance your property.

Hiring a qualified and competent person will offer you complete reassurance that the job is done properly and also meets building regulations compliance.

The cost of hiring an electrician to fit your outdoor security lights is around £75 to £100, although this will vary depending on how much electrical work is required.

To make sure the job is completed to the highest standards, you should consider hiring a professional electrician who is listed under the competent persons scheme or they are NICEIC-approved.

Before hiring an electrician, it is important that you check your chosen tradesman’s qualification, which should include a Level 3 NVQ in electrotechnical services and installing electrotechnical services and equipment.

You should also enquire about their experience, as you should try to hire someone who has at least three years’ experience installing security lights.

Sources

https://www.lampshoponline.com/advice/led-security
https://www.majesticoutdoorlighting.com/5-benefits-of-security-lights/