Lighting design cost guide

If you’re building or renovating a property, lighting is absolutely crucial to the quality of the finish. It can dramatically impact the look and feel of each space, helping to bring the decor and furnishings to life.

As lighting is so important, you might want to consider using a professional lighting designer. An expert can develop a creative and beautiful lighting plan for each space, taking your ideas on board to deliver a scheme that really works. They’ll also back up the creative ideas with a solid technical plan to cover cabling, installation and everything else you need.

In this guide, we’ll look at the average lighting design cost, typical lighting design fees and what you can expect to be charged for a lighting designer day rate, to help you plan your project.

Lighting designer hourly rate

Depending on the scope of your job, your lighting designer may quote for the entire project, a set number of days or by the hour. Lighting design day hourly rates can range from £50 to £85. Some lighting designers offer a reduced hourly rate following a consultation at a higher rate.

Lighting design cost

Lighting design projects are unique, as different clients want different things. The total cost depends on the size of the property, the lighting designer day rate and the specification and complexity of the lighting design. Installation and the quality and quantity of light fittings can all also affect the cost.

To give you an idea of prices for your project, lighting designer the average cost of using a lighting design service for a three bedroom house is between £400 and £5,000. If you want high-end fittings or a bespoke design, this can push the price up.

However, you’ll need to get a bespoke quote that covers everything you want in your dream lighting plan.

How much does a lighting designer cost?

A professional lighting designer will carry out initial consultations with you, to discuss your ideas for lighting your home. Using your input, they’ll create a comprehensive lighting design plan for each room of your home. This will include the type, specification and position of lights, and perhaps even a mock-up of how the space will look and feel once the lighting is installed.

There’s also a technical side to professional lighting design. Your expert will also back up their ideas with a detailed set of cabling and installation plans, and a list of product specifications. They can also work with your electrician and site team to help them understand the brief.

Lighting designers will usually charge per project, rather than per hour. On average, lighting design prices are around £2,650 for consultation, design work and technical plans.

FAQs

When should I consult a lighting designer?

When renovating or building a home, you’ll need a clear timeline for your project – including a schedule for when to speak to the relevant tradespeople and experts.

A good time to bring in a lighting design expert is at the start of the first fix phase. This should give you enough time to finalise the design and the technical plans for cabling and installation. However, you could get your lighting design sorted far earlier if you want to be super organised.

How do I choose a lighting designer?

Look for someone who specialises in your kind of project, such as domestic or commercial. Some lighting designers will be members of professional bodies, such as The International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and Professional Lighting Designers’ Association (PLDA). However, these organisations mainly focus on commercial lighting design.

Ask for photos or case studies to see examples of previous work, and check out reviews/testimonials from previous customers. Lastly, have a chat, ask questions and share your ideas.