By Emily Rivers
Last updated 22nd March 2023

Light switches are so much more than on / off switches nowadays. They are mood controls. Allowing you to set the ambience of a room by dimming the lights, or creating the perfect reading spot by sliding the light to a brighter output. The minute the light switch has a buzzing, clicking or popping sound or the light bulb is flickering when switched on, this indicates there is a possible problem with the light switch and it is time to either repair or replace the switch. 

Can my broken light switch be fixed?

Yes, if your light switch has developed a fault, regardless of which variety of switch; dimmer, timer, 3-way switches, 4-way, the same basic procedure is used for all light switches and a qualified electrician will be able to diagnose and fix a fault.

Humming or buzzing sounds need to be addressed immediately, or if your light switch is feeling warm, as this usually indicates a loose wire (first change the light bulb just to rule that out). If you ignore the problem, the faulty wiring could be the cause of a house fire. Loose wiring to the light switch can also cause the circuit to constantly trip. When the electrician investigates the issue on the light switch, they will also make sure that no wires are touching each other. 

If it is a pull-cord switch in the bathroom that is faulty, the wiring can easily be fixed or if the pull-cord has snapped, this can quickly and easily be replaced.

If the faulty light switch is not to do with loose problematic wiring, it may just be a bad switch that will need replacing to avoid it happening again but the electrician will discover this shortly after investigating.

Cost to install or fix a light switch

How much will it cost to install or fix a light switch?

Replacing and repairing light switches are cost effective, as they do not cost much more than a call-out fee from the electrician. Labour time needed is from 30 min to an hour, depending on how many switches the electrician will be installing or fixing.

If replacing switches, the electrician will need to determine which type of switch you have to bring the correct one to the job. Wall-mounted light switches have one, two, three or even more individual switches (also referred to as gangs) that operate multiple light fittings from one switch. So when booking the electrician, give as much information on the light switch as you can, even the details, of whether the cover is plastic, satin or matt chrome and whether the switch is a 2-way switch, controlling one light, e.g.; a hallway light, from two separate locations. If you have a light switch in the lounge that operates two ceiling lights (a switch with 2 gangs) and you would prefer it to be replaced with a dimmer switch, make all of this known to the electrician before they arrive so they can bring the correct fixtures. 

When it comes to replacing or fixing light switches in a bathroom, UK building regulations insist that a wall-mounted switch is housed outside of the bathroom or if you want a switch inside the bathroom then it needs to be a ceiling mounted pull-cord switch. This is because electricity and water make for a deadly combination.

In the UK, the cost of light fittings vary from a pound for a plastic 1-gang light switch to a few hundred pounds for a stainless steel 4-gang, 2-way LED light dimmer switch that is compatible with Alexa and has timers built-in to switch lights on or off at certain times of the day.

Cost to install or fix light switch

Per

Average cost

Replacing a broken light switch

Per hour 

£50

Upgrading a light switch to a dimmer switch

Per hour 

£55

Fixing loose wiring on a light switch

Per hour 

£40

Upgrading a light switch to motion sensor

Per hour

£60

Do I need a special light switch for LEDs?

LEDs (Light-Emitting Diode’s) produce light up to 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs. They require the same wiring when it comes to wiring in a light switch, however, you cannot have LEDs wired into old standard dimmer switch circuit.

This is because the standard dimmer switch usually has a minimum power of 50W, but LED lights have lower wattage than a standard bulb. An LED bulb off the dimmer switch will not reach the minimum power needed, resulting in the lights either flickering, humming / buzzing or worse overheating. LED lights need their own special electronic dimmer switch to have a fully functioning and dimming light.

When choosing your LED dimmer switch, don’t be led by the cheapest dimmer switch on the market, as cheap switches have a poor lifespan and cost you more overall in the headache of having the electrician replace them. Do remember to buy your LED bulbs that are dimmable to match the light switch.

Can I replace my light switch with a dimmer or slider switch?

Yes, a lot of people do like to replace their standard light switch with a dimmer or slider switch. These are the perfect replacement for a light switch in rooms like bedrooms, living room, TV lounge, as it can make the room dimly lit for best movie watching or for a romantic evening in. Having the lighting on a dimming switch makes for a relaxing cosy night chilling at home. The biggest plus is a dimmer switch will help conserve electricity, keeping your energy bill lower. Most dimmer switch cover plates fit a standard wall box opening, which makes it a quick and easy replacement to switch over your current light switch to a dimmer switch. Converting a light switch is a quick and easy job for the electrician and should only cost you £30-£50 depending on where you live.

Can I replace my light switch with a motion sensor?

Yes, PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor lights make for a clever way to light up communal areas in multiple housing occupancy homes and even for bathrooms. This way people can walk into the room without having to switch on a light and the light will automatically switch off when they have left the room to avoid any wasting of electricity. 

An electrician can wire the motion sensor into a light switch, so that when the light is switched on, the sensor will always work but there is the backup of switching the motion sensor off to operate the light by switch only. 

There are so many choices of light switches, that before you look into upgrading the switch you have, take your time to consider the lighting needs in the room and how you can match the plate of the switch to the decor in a room, e.g.; brass for a stately home or satin chrome for a more contemporary room, and if you are putting a tenant into the home, you may want white plastic for its hard wearing capability.

Do you need a special light switch for a bathroom?

Yes, you do need a special light switch for a bathroom. There's a reason why you don't see them much in the UK - regulations for electrical installation in the bathroom mean that plate switches need to be specially designed for use in the bathroom, and they must be at least 600 metres away from the bath or shower. This is due to the high levels of humidity and condensation that could increase your risk of electric shock.

Alternatively, you can install a pull cord switch, also known as a light pull, which can be placed anywhere in the bathroom. There's a reason why pull cords are so much more common - it's difficult in UK bathrooms to get 600 metres away from a bath or shower to get a light switch installed!

 Pull cord switches can cost as little as £5, and a straight replacement shouldn’t take longer than an hour, so expect it to cost around £50. If you want to move the switch or install a special bathroom plate switch, this could cost around £130.


Estimates for common electrician jobs;

Rates for other trades

Install or fix a light switch cost in the UK
Install or fix a light switch cost in the UK (excluding VAT or callout charges)
Location in UKInstall or fix a light switch cost
Install or fix a light switch near Aberdeen£62
Install or fix a light switch near Amber Valley£58
Install or fix a light switch near Angus£56
Install or fix a light switch near Arun£64
Install or fix a light switch near Ashfield£62
Install or fix a light switch near Aylesbury Vale£78
Install or fix a light switch near Barnsley£64
Install or fix a light switch near Basildon£84
Install or fix a light switch near Basingstoke & Deane£82
Install or fix a light switch near Bassetlaw£60
Install or fix a light switch near Bath & North East Somerset£70
Install or fix a light switch near Bedford£78
Install or fix a light switch near Belfast£46
Install or fix a light switch near Birmingham£66
Install or fix a light switch near Blackburn£64
Install or fix a light switch near Blackpool£64
Install or fix a light switch near Bolton£64
Install or fix a light switch near Bournemouth£66
Install or fix a light switch near Bracknell Forest£90
Install or fix a light switch near Bradford£64
Install or fix a light switch near Braintree£76
Install or fix a light switch near Breckland£72
Install or fix a light switch near Bridgend£60
Install or fix a light switch near Brighton£76
Install or fix a light switch near Bristol£70
Install or fix a light switch near Broadland£68
Install or fix a light switch near Broxtowe£60
Install or fix a light switch near Bury£64
Install or fix a light switch near Caerphilly£60
Install or fix a light switch near Calderdale£62
Install or fix a light switch near Cambridge£76
Install or fix a light switch near Canterbury£64
Install or fix a light switch near Cardiff£60
Install or fix a light switch near Carmarthenshire£58
Install or fix a light switch near Charnwood£62
Install or fix a light switch near Chelmsford£82
Install or fix a light switch near Cheltenham£64
Install or fix a light switch near Cherwell£74
Install or fix a light switch near Chester£62
Install or fix a light switch near Colchester£72
Install or fix a light switch near Conway£98
Install or fix a light switch near Coventry£66
Install or fix a light switch near Crewe & Nantwich£60
Install or fix a light switch near Dacorum£90
Install or fix a light switch near Derby£58
Install or fix a light switch near Doncaster£60
Install or fix a light switch near Dover£60
Install or fix a light switch near Dudley£66
Install or fix a light switch near Dumfries & Galloway£60
Install or fix a light switch near Dundee£62
Install or fix a light switch near East Ayrshire£60
Install or fix a light switch near East Devon£62
Install or fix a light switch near East Dunbartonshire£70
Install or fix a light switch near East Hampshire£72
Install or fix a light switch near East Hertfordshire£84
Install or fix a light switch near East Lindsey£52
Install or fix a light switch near East Riding£60
Install or fix a light switch near Eastleigh£74
Install or fix a light switch near Edinburgh£68
Install or fix a light switch near Elmbridge£96
Install or fix a light switch near Epping Forest£94
Install or fix a light switch near Erewash£60
Install or fix a light switch near Exeter£58
Install or fix a light switch near Falkirk£70
Install or fix a light switch near Fife£64
Install or fix a light switch near Flintshire£60
Install or fix a light switch near Gateshead£66
Install or fix a light switch near Gedling£62
Install or fix a light switch near Glasgow£68
Install or fix a light switch near Gloucester£62
Install or fix a light switch near Guildford£86
Install or fix a light switch near Gwynedd£90
Install or fix a light switch near Halton£64
Install or fix a light switch near Harrogate£62
Install or fix a light switch near Havant & Waterloo£70
Install or fix a light switch near Horsham£82
Install or fix a light switch near Huntingdonshire£74
Install or fix a light switch near Ipswich£66
Install or fix a light switch near Isle of Wight£76
Install or fix a light switch near Kings Lynn & West Norfolk£62
Install or fix a light switch near Kingston-upon-Hull£60
Install or fix a light switch near Kirklees£62
Install or fix a light switch near Knowsley£64
Install or fix a light switch near Lancaster£58
Install or fix a light switch near Leeds£66
Install or fix a light switch near Leicester£72
Install or fix a light switch near Lisburn£48
Install or fix a light switch near Liverpool£64
Install or fix a light switch near London£96
Install or fix a light switch near Luton£88
Install or fix a light switch near Macclesfield£64
Install or fix a light switch near Maidstone£84
Install or fix a light switch near Manchester£64
Install or fix a light switch near Mid Bedfordshire£80
Install or fix a light switch near Mid Sussex£80
Install or fix a light switch near Middlesbrough£64
Install or fix a light switch near Milton Keynes£76
Install or fix a light switch near Neath Port Talbot£60
Install or fix a light switch near New Forest£72
Install or fix a light switch near Newbury£80
Install or fix a light switch near Newcastle-under-Lyme£56
Install or fix a light switch near Newcastle-upon-Tyne£66
Install or fix a light switch near Newport£60
Install or fix a light switch near North Ayrshire£64
Install or fix a light switch near North East Lincolnshire£54
Install or fix a light switch near North Hertfordshire£84
Install or fix a light switch near North Lanarkshire£70
Install or fix a light switch near North Lincolnshire£60
Install or fix a light switch near North Somerset£68
Install or fix a light switch near North Tyneside£66
Install or fix a light switch near North Wiltshire£78
Install or fix a light switch near Northampton£74
Install or fix a light switch near Norwich£72
Install or fix a light switch near Nottingham£62
Install or fix a light switch near Nuneaton & Bedworth£70
Install or fix a light switch near Oldham£64
Install or fix a light switch near Oxford£78
Install or fix a light switch near Pembrokeshire£50
Install or fix a light switch near Perth & Kinross£66
Install or fix a light switch near Peterborough£64
Install or fix a light switch near Plymouth£62
Install or fix a light switch near Poole£66
Install or fix a light switch near Portsmouth£74
Install or fix a light switch near Powys£66
Install or fix a light switch near Preston£64
Install or fix a light switch near Reading£84
Install or fix a light switch near Redcar & Cleveland£66
Install or fix a light switch near Reigate & Banstead£94
Install or fix a light switch near Renfrewshire£70
Install or fix a light switch near Rhondda, Cynon, Taff£62
Install or fix a light switch near Rochdale£64
Install or fix a light switch near Rotherham£58
Install or fix a light switch near Salford£64
Install or fix a light switch near Salisbury£62
Install or fix a light switch near Sandwell£66
Install or fix a light switch near Scarborough£58
Install or fix a light switch near Sefton£64
Install or fix a light switch near Sevenoaks£88
Install or fix a light switch near Sheffield£58
Install or fix a light switch near Slough£90
Install or fix a light switch near Solihull£66
Install or fix a light switch near South Ayrshire£64
Install or fix a light switch near South Bedfordshire£78
Install or fix a light switch near South Cambridgeshire£78
Install or fix a light switch near South Gloucestershire£70
Install or fix a light switch near South Kesteven£70
Install or fix a light switch near South Lanarkshire£66
Install or fix a light switch near South Oxfordshire£82
Install or fix a light switch near South Somerset£68
Install or fix a light switch near South Tyneside£64
Install or fix a light switch near Southampton£74
Install or fix a light switch near Southend-on-Sea£80
Install or fix a light switch near St Albans£90
Install or fix a light switch near St Helens£64
Install or fix a light switch near Stafford£62
Install or fix a light switch near Stockport£64
Install or fix a light switch near Stockton-on-Tees£64
Install or fix a light switch near Stoke-on-Trent£56
Install or fix a light switch near Stratford-on-Avon£68
Install or fix a light switch near Stroud£62
Install or fix a light switch near Suffolk Coastal£68
Install or fix a light switch near Sunderland£64
Install or fix a light switch near Swale£74
Install or fix a light switch near Swansea£60
Install or fix a light switch near Tameside£64
Install or fix a light switch near Teignbridge£56
Install or fix a light switch near Tendring£68
Install or fix a light switch near Test Valley£66
Install or fix a light switch near Thamesdown£76
Install or fix a light switch near Thanet£60
Install or fix a light switch near The Wrekin£58
Install or fix a light switch near Thurrock£88
Install or fix a light switch near Torbay£56
Install or fix a light switch near Trafford£66
Install or fix a light switch near Vale of Glamorgan£62
Install or fix a light switch near Vale of White Horse£74
Install or fix a light switch near Vale Royal£60
Install or fix a light switch near Wakefield£64
Install or fix a light switch near Walsall£66
Install or fix a light switch near Warrington£64
Install or fix a light switch near Warwick£66
Install or fix a light switch near Waveney£66
Install or fix a light switch near Waverley£84
Install or fix a light switch near Wealden£90
Install or fix a light switch near West Lancashire£64
Install or fix a light switch near West Lothian£66
Install or fix a light switch near West Wiltshire£78
Install or fix a light switch near Wigan£62
Install or fix a light switch near Windsor & Maidenhead£90
Install or fix a light switch near Wirral£66
Install or fix a light switch near Wokingham£88
Install or fix a light switch near Wolverhampton£68
Install or fix a light switch near Wrexham Maelor£58
Install or fix a light switch near Wychavon£66
Install or fix a light switch near Wycombe£86
Install or fix a light switch near York£62