Lighting Installation York: LED, Downlights & Outdoor (2026)
We design and install domestic and light commercial lighting in York, from a single pendant replacement to a full kitchen or new-build scheme. Every install is compliant with BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, issued with an Electrical Installation Certificate on the day, and Part P notified to NICEIC for any new circuit. Below is what I cover and how I work.
What I install
- Kitchen downlights. Fire-rated LED recessed downlights, dimmable as standard, colour-matched fittings and under-cabinet LED strip for task lighting.
- Bathroom lighting. Zoned per BS 7671 (IPX4 in Zone 1 and 2, IPX7 inside the bath). Shaver points, heated mirrors and demist functions wired correctly.
- Living room and bedroom lighting. Layered schemes: pendant or ambient, wall lights, floor sockets for lamps, dimmable circuits, two-way and intermediate switching.
- Outdoor and garden lighting. External sockets, path lights, spike-mounted garden spots, wall-mounted floods, PIR security lights. IP65 minimum, SWA external cable, own RCBO.
- Smart and dimmable schemes. Wired (Lutron, Loxone, smart switches) and wireless (Hue, Philips, Shelly). Trailing-edge LED dimmers.
- Period and conservation area homes. Period-sympathetic accessories, surface conduit where chasing is not an option, sensitive cable routing.
- Commercial lighting. Shops, cafes, offices, churches, village halls. Emergency lighting to BS 5266-1 where required.
Bathroom zones in plain English
BS 7671 divides a bathroom into zones based on how close the fitting is to the bath or shower. The higher the water-ingress risk, the higher the IP rating the fitting needs.
| Zone | Where | Minimum IP rating | Supply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Inside the bath or shower basin | IPX7 | SELV only (12 V) |
| Zone 1 | Directly above bath/shower to 2.25 m, and within 1.2 m of the shower head | IPX4 | SELV or RCD-protected mains |
| Zone 2 | 0.6 m beyond Zone 1 horizontally, and to 2.25 m vertically | IPX4 | RCD-protected mains |
| Outside the zones | Everywhere else in the bathroom | IP20 (IPX4 recommended) | RCD-protected mains |
We zone every bathroom at the survey and specify fittings that meet the requirement. Getting this wrong is one of the most common C2 findings on bathroom EICRs.
Downlight density rule of thumb
For general ambient lighting in a domestic room, one 6 to 9 W LED downlight per square metre is a reliable starting point. On top of that, layer task lighting:
- Kitchen. Downlights in a grid for general, plus under-cabinet LED strip over worktops, plus a pendant or three over an island.
- Living room. Downlights for general (dimmable), wall lights or floor lamps for ambient, accent spots on feature walls.
- Bathroom. Zone-compliant downlights for general, LED mirror or vanity strip for task, plug-in heated towel rail separate.
- Bedroom. Pendant or low-level downlights for general (dimmable), bedside wall lights for reading, low-level night lighting on a PIR for hallway to en-suite.
How an install runs
- Design and surveyWe visit, measure the rooms, discuss the scheme and the fittings, and confirm the plan. You get a marked-up plan and a written estimate.
- First fixCable pulled through ceiling voids and walls, back boxes installed, switch positions confirmed. Work from above where possible on plasterboard ceilings.
- Fit fittingsDownlights, pendants, wall lights, LED strip, smart switches fitted and terminated. Fire-rated downlights as standard in compartmentation ceilings.
- Test and certifyEvery new circuit tested for insulation resistance, earth continuity, polarity and RCD trip time. EIC issued on the day.
- Commission and walkthroughDimming calibrated, scenes programmed if smart, app setup if needed. Walkthrough so you know how to use what has been installed.
A note on cost
Every lighting scheme is priced on a site visit, because cost depends on the number of fittings, ceiling and wall construction, cable route accessibility, and the fittings you choose. Send me a rough room plan or a few photos and I'll come back with a written estimate before I book. Book a survey.
Frequently asked questions
What lighting work do you do in York?
I cover domestic and light commercial lighting: LED downlights in kitchens and bathrooms, pendant lighting in living rooms, outdoor and garden lighting, path and security lighting, smart and dimmable schemes, and period-sympathetic lighting for conservation area homes. Everything wired to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 and issued with an Electrical Installation Certificate.
What IP rating do bathroom lights need?
BS 7671 divides bathrooms into zones. Zone 0 (inside the bath/shower) requires IPX7 fittings rated for SELV (extra-low voltage) only. Zone 1 (directly above and close to the bath) requires IPX4 minimum. Zone 2 (next to the bath) requires IPX4 minimum. Outside the zones, IP20 is acceptable but IP44 is recommended. We zone every bathroom at the survey and specify fittings that meet the requirement.
How many downlights do I need in my kitchen?
A useful rule of thumb is one 6 to 9 W LED downlight per square metre for general kitchen lighting, plus task lighting over worktops (under-cabinet strip, pendant over the island). A 15 sq m kitchen typically wants 10 to 15 downlights laid out in a grid, plus under-cabinet LED. We design layouts during the survey.
Can you fit fire-rated downlights?
Yes. Every downlight recessed into a ceiling forming part of the fire compartmentation (the ceiling below a bedroom, for example) must be fire-rated or have an intumescent hood fitted. I fit fire-rated downlights as standard. It is a Building Regulations requirement, not a preference.
Do you install outdoor and garden lighting?
Yes. We run external sockets, path lights, spike-mounted garden spots, wall-mounted floods and security lights. External cable is SWA (steel wire armoured) buried or surface-mounted, fittings are IP65 as a minimum. Every circuit gets its own RCBO and a time clock or PIR where useful.
Can you do smart lighting and dimming?
Yes. Wired smart lighting (Lutron, Loxone, smart switches), wireless mesh systems (Hue, Philips, Shelly) and trailing-edge LED dimmers. I'm agnostic on brand and pick what fits your setup and budget. Smart lighting is best designed in at the rewire or refurb stage when the cable runs can be planned.
Can you install lighting in a listed or conservation area property?
Yes. We take a conservation-first approach: period-sympathetic accessories (Victorian pattern switches, brass or bronze finishes), surface conduit where chasing walls is not an option, and cable routes that minimise impact on original features. I can liaise with the conservation officer where needed.
How much does lighting installation cost in York?
Every scheme is priced on a site visit because cost depends on the number of fittings, the ceiling and wall construction, whether cable routes are accessible, and the fittings you want. Send me a rough room plan or a few photos and I'll come back with a written estimate before I book.
Related services and guides
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Bathroom electrics zones explained
- BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Wiring Regulations, including Section 701 (bathrooms). bsigroup.com
- BS 5266-1, Emergency lighting, Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises. knowledge.bsigroup.com
- Approved Document B, Fire safety (ceiling fire protection requirements). gov.uk