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.

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.

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