Step light installation in Exeter
Professional step light installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85 per light
Typical Duration
30-45 mins each
Location
Exeter, Devon
LED step lights installed into walls or steps for safer navigation at night. Low-voltage system with hidden wiring - proper electrical installation inside or outdoors.
Don't Break Your Neck in the Dark
Steps in the dark are a recipe for disaster - especially outdoor steps when they're wet. Step lights give you just enough light to see where you're going without being obnoxiously bright or costing a fortune to run.
💡 Pro tip: For outdoor steps, combine step lights with a PIR sensor so they only come on when you approach. Saves energy and bulb life.
Why Professional Installation Matters
Here's the thing: step lights look simple but involve electrical work and making holes in your walls or steps. DIY attempts often end up with visible wiring or lights that don't stay waterproof.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Wiring hidden neatly in walls | Cables visible along steps |
| Waterproof outdoor installation | Water gets in, lights fail |
| Even spacing and alignment | Some wonky, some too high/low |
| Transformer safely located | Exposed electrics getting wet |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Plan | Mark light positions, plan wiring route, locate power source |
| Install | Chase wiring into walls, fit lights, connect transformer |
| Test | Check all lights work, seal outdoor installations |
📦 You're Left With
- Evenly spaced, aligned lights
- Hidden wiring
- Low-voltage transformer safely positioned
- Weatherproof outdoor installation
Pricing Guide
| Number of Lights | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| First light (inc setup) | 45-60 mins | £60-£85 |
| Each additional light | 20-30 mins | £25-£35 |
| 6 lights total | 3-3.5 hrs | £160-£185 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Price assumes straightforward access and power source nearby.
Perfect For Your Property If...
✅ Outdoor steps - elderly relatives, kids, or just Devon weather
✅ Dark hallways - stairs without good overhead lighting
✅ Garden paths - extend to path steps for full wayfinding
✅ Rental properties - improves safety for tenants
Why Choose Us for Step light installation in Exeter?
Low-voltage LED - safe and energy efficient
Indoor or outdoor installation
Improved safety on stairs at night
Neat wiring hidden in walls or steps
What to Expect
Step 1: Planning
I'll mark out where each light goes, work out the wiring route, and identify the power source. Spacing and height needs to be consistent for a professional look.
Step 2: Installation
Holes cut for each light, wiring chased into walls and hidden, transformer installed somewhere dry and accessible.
Step 3: Connection & Testing
All lights connected, system tested, outdoor installations sealed properly. Any chased-in wiring made good and ready for decorating.
🔧 DIY Tips
This isn't really a beginner DIY job (it's electrical work), but if you're competent:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- SDS drill with masonry bits
- Cable chaser or angle grinder (for hiding cables)
- Hole saw (correct size for your lights)
- Screwdriver
- Wire strippers
- Multimeter
- Spirit level and measuring tape
💡 Getting it right
- Plan wiring route first - minimize cable runs
- Use low-voltage LED step lights (12V or 24V is safer than mains)
- Space lights evenly - measure don't guess
- Mark all positions before you start drilling
- Chase cables deep enough to plaster over
⚡ Electrical safety
- Use a transformer rated for number of lights
- Outdoor transformer must be weatherproof or indoors
- Follow manufacturer's wiring diagrams exactly
- Test each light as you go - easier than troubleshooting later
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Not drilling deep enough - lights don't sit flush
- Outdoor lights without proper IP rating - fail in first rain
- Transformer undersized for number of lights - all dim or some don't work
- Wiring visible because chasing seemed too much hassle
- Not sealing outdoor installations - water ingress kills them
💡 Pro trick: For outdoor stone or brick steps, drill your cable chase at a slight downward angle as it goes into the wall. Any water that gets in will run out rather than into the light fitting.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚡ Part P Building Regs: If you're doing this yourself, check if your installation needs Building Control notification. Outdoor mains electrical work usually does. Low-voltage systems sometimes don't, but check first.
Multiple steps? Price per light drops significantly after the first few - the initial setup (transformer, power connection, cable routing) is the time-consuming bit.
Exeter's older properties? Stone walls and Victorian brickwork drill differently than modern materials. I'll use the right techniques to avoid cracking or crumbling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are step lights?
Small LED lights recessed into walls beside steps or into the steps themselves. They light your way without being glaring bright - just enough to see where you're stepping. Brilliant for outdoor steps or indoor stairs without good lighting.
Do step lights need wiring in?
Yes - they run off mains power through a transformer (low voltage is safer). The wiring needs running from a power source to each light position, then hidden. It's proper electrical work, not just stick-on battery lights.
Can you fit them to my outdoor steps?
Yes, as long as they're solid steps - brick, stone, concrete, or timber. The lights need to be IP-rated for outdoor use (waterproof basically). Fitting into masonry is straightforward. Timber steps need careful positioning to avoid splitting.
How many lights do I need?
One per step is ideal, but you can get away with every other step if budget's tight. For outdoor steps, I'd recommend every step - Devon weather means steps get slippery, and you want to see exactly where you're placing your feet.
Will the wiring be visible?
Not if done properly. For outdoor steps I chase the wiring into the wall alongside, or run it behind if there's access. Indoor stairs usually have the wiring running through the wall. You'll see the lights themselves, but not a mess of cables.
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