Kitchen lighting · Hampshire
Kitchen lighting in Andover
Looking for kitchen lighting in Andover? We survey, quote and carry out kitchen lighting for homes across Andover and the rest of Hampshire, with one contract from the first measure to the final check.
Why do people in Andover choose kitchen lighting?
Homeowners across Hampshire replacing old halogen downlights often want LED fittings that dim properly and need fewer lamp changes, which can mean new drivers and dimmers.
In flats in Andover, downlights going into a ceiling that separates two homes may need fire-rated fittings, which is worth knowing before you choose a style. Homes right across Andover are covered, as are nearby places such as Winchester, Newbury and the villages in between.
What is included in the work?
Every kitchen is different, so we confirm the scope in writing. Most jobs of this kind include:
- Switching by zone, with dimmers matched to the lamps and drivers
- A lighting plan marked against the kitchen layout and ceiling joists
- Testing and certification to BS 7671, with notification where required
- Drivers placed where they can be reached for replacement later
- Under-cabinet strip or puck lights to light the worktop evenly
- Plinth, cornice or glass-cabinet LED strips with hidden drivers
What does kitchen lighting cost in Andover?
As a starting point for Andover, these ranges include VAT at 20% and allow for typical labour costs in the South East. Labour in the South East generally costs more than the UK average, which lifts these ranges a little.
| Typical project | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Recessed ceiling downlights (per light)Fire-rated where required, wired and tested | £50–£90 each |
| Under-cabinet LED lightingStrip or puck lights with a driver and switch | £230–£520 |
| Pendant lights over an island or tableNew ceiling point and fitting | £110–£290 each |
| Plinth or cornice LED stripsLow-voltage strip with a driver | £170–£460 |
Guide prices cover labour, cable, drivers, switches and testing with standard downlights and LED strips; decorative pendants you choose, smart lighting controls and ceiling repairs are priced separately. Prices include VAT at 20%.
Kitchens in homes around Andover
The housing mix across Hampshire includes Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, post-war estate houses and thatched and brick cottages, so no two kitchen fits are quite alike. Terraces in Southampton and Portsmouth often have a narrow back kitchen, while post-war estate houses tend to have a compact rectangular room suited to an L-shape.
Water across Hampshire is mostly hard, largely from chalk sources, so limescale on taps and boiling water taps is common and a filter can help. Dense terraced streets can be very tight for parking, and New Forest lanes and village roads may limit the size of delivery vehicle.
Building regulations, electrics and gas in Andover
In England, adding lights to an existing lighting circuit in a kitchen is not notifiable, but a new lighting circuit is, so it is either self-certified by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme or approved through building control. Either way the work must meet BS 7671 and be certified. Recessed downlights may need to be fire-rated where the ceiling forms a fire separation, for example below another flat.
Homes within the New Forest or South Downs national parks, listed cottages and conservation areas may need consent for a new extractor vent or alterations to historic features.
Worth knowing before the fit
- For an Andover kitchen-diner, put the dining pendants on their own switch so the table can be lit while the kitchen side is off.
- Note the driver type for each LED strip and keep it with your kitchen paperwork, so a failed driver can be matched quickly.
- Choose dimmable lamps if you want dimmers in your Andover kitchen, and check the packaging says so; many cheaper LEDs are not designed to dim.
- Set pendant heights and centres once the island size is fixed, so the lights sit over the worktop and clear people's heads.
Questions about kitchen lighting in Andover
How much does kitchen lighting cost in Andover?
Kitchen lighting in Andover typically costs £50 to £90 each including VAT for a recessed ceiling downlight, based on prices in the South East. Larger or more involved jobs cost more, and your price is fixed in writing after a free survey visit.
Do you cover all of Andover?
Yes. We work across Andover, including the SP10 postcode district, and nearby towns such as Winchester and Newbury. Book a free survey visit and we will arrange a time that suits you.
How many downlights does a kitchen need?
There is no fixed number; it depends on the room size, ceiling height, beam angle and brightness of each light. Rather than spacing them in an even grid, it works better to set them out so light falls on the worktops and walkways and not on top of the wall units. We mark positions on the plan against the ceiling joists before any holes are cut.
Can under-cabinet lights be added to an existing kitchen?
Yes, usually. The cable can often run behind the wall units or through a short chase, with the driver hidden on top of a unit or in a nearby cupboard. It is neater when the wall units are off or the walls are being retiled, but a careful retrofit is common. In Wales this extends a circuit in a kitchen, so it is notifiable.
Why do some LED kitchen lights flicker on a dimmer?
Usually because the dimmer, driver and lamp are not compatible. LED lights draw very little power, and many older dimmers were designed for filament bulbs, so they can cause flicker, buzzing or a light that will not dim smoothly. The fix is to use dimmable lamps or drivers with a dimmer the lamp maker lists as compatible, and to check the minimum load the dimmer needs.
Also covering nearby towns
Close to Andover? We cover these nearby towns too:
- Kitchen lighting in Winchester
- Kitchen lighting in Newbury
- Kitchen lighting in Romsey
- Kitchen lighting in Salisbury
- Kitchen lighting in Thatcham
- Kitchen lighting in Marlborough
- Kitchen lighting across Hampshire