Home lighting installer
Fit downlights, garden lighting and new circuits in people's homes as a qualified electrician working on your own.
- £1.5k-5k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
56,313 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 43210 “Electrical installation”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Installing and wiring lighting in homes: downlights, pendants, kitchen and garden lighting, dimmer and smart controls, and swapping old fittings for LED. You travel to each job and work alone or with a mate for bigger ones.
Your first three steps
- Check your qualifications are up to date (for example Level 3 electrical, current BS 7671 wiring regulations and inspection and testing) and fill any gaps
- Get public liability insurance, test equipment and a tool kit, and look into joining a competent person scheme
- Tell local builders, kitchen fitters and estate agents you are taking on lighting jobs, and ask early customers for reviews
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, and builders or kitchen fitters who need a reliable electrician for the lighting side of a project.
How it makes money
Fixed price per job or a day rate, plus a margin on fittings and materials where you supply them. Repeat work and referrals from builders and neighbours help fill the diary.
Skills that help
- Electrical qualifications and testing experience
- Neat, safe wiring
- Clear quotes and good communication with customers
Watch out for
- Electrical work in homes in England and Wales usually falls under Building Regulations (Part P), so check whether you need a competent person scheme or must notify building control. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, so check locally
- Public liability insurance, and check whether you need other cover such as tools or professional indemnity
- Keep proper test certificates and records for every job
- Working at height and live electrics are real safety risks, so follow safe isolation procedures every time
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: home lighting installer
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a home lighting installation business?
Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £5,000, depending on the tools and test equipment you already own, plus insurance, a van or vehicle and stock. These are estimates, so check your own quotes.
How much can a home lighting installer earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on how many jobs you take, your pricing and whether you work alone or with a helper. This is revenue, not profit, so allow for materials and running costs.
What rules apply to domestic lighting work in the UK?
In England and Wales, check whether Building Regulations (Part P) mean you need a competent person scheme or must notify building control. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules, so check locally. Also check insurance and keep test certificates.
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