Rural security lighting in Exeter
Professional rural security lighting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£85-160
Typical Duration
1.5-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Security and task lighting for barns, yards, stables and rural outbuildings - motion-sensor or dusk-to-dawn options professionally installed to weatherproof agricultural standards.
See What You're Doing After Dark
If you're fumbling around in the dark every time you need to check livestock, get to outbuildings, or work late, proper lighting makes rural life vastly easier and safer. And motion-sensor security lights deter opportunistic thieves and let you see what's moving around your property at night.
💡 Pro tip: Motion-sensor lights positioned to cover access points (gates, barn doors, stable yard) serve double duty - task lighting when you need it, security deterrent for intruders. Much better than a single floodlight that's either always on (expensive) or always off (useless).
Proper Rural Lighting vs Makeshift Setup
| ✅ Professional Installation | ❌ DIY Bodge |
|---|---|
| Weatherproof IP-rated fittings | Domestic lights that fail in damp |
| Positioned for best coverage | Badly aimed, dark spots everywhere |
| Properly wired and protected | Extension leads and junction boxes exposed |
| Motion sensor adjustable | Always-on wasting electricity |
| Lasts years in harsh conditions | Replacing lights constantly |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Check power supply, plan positions |
| Run cable | Wire from supply to light positions (surface or buried) |
| Fit lights | Mount securely, weatherproofing connections |
| Set up | Adjust sensors, test coverage |
| Test | Check everything works, show you controls |
📦 You're Left With
- Well-lit barns, yards, or stable areas
- Motion activation or dusk-to-dawn as needed
- Weatherproof installation that lasts
- Security and safety improvement
Pricing Guide
| Installation Complexity | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single light, power nearby | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
| Two lights or longer cable run | 2 hrs | £110 |
| Multiple lights, complex wiring | 3 hrs | £160 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Add materials - lights, cable, fixings, junction boxes. Extensive wiring or remote buildings may need separate electrical quote.
Essential For Rural Devon Properties If...
✅ Livestock checking - need to see animals after dark
✅ Yard security - deter thieves and see who's about
✅ Winter evening chores - everything takes longer in the dark
✅ Safety - reduce trip hazards and accidents
Why Choose Us for Rural security lighting in Exeter?
Motion-activated lights for safety and security
Dusk-to-dawn options for all-night coverage
Weatherproof outdoor-rated fittings
Positioned for best coverage
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Assessment
I'll look at where you need light, where power can come from, and what type of lights suit best. Discuss motion-sensor vs dusk-to-dawn, positions for best coverage.
Step 2: Run Power
Wire from nearest supply point to light positions. Might be surface-mounted conduit on barn walls or buried armoured cable across yard - depends on the site and what looks/works best.
Step 3: Fit And Set Up
Mount lights securely, wire them in properly, adjust sensors and timers. Test coverage by walking around to make sure sensors pick up movement where needed.
🔧 DIY Tips
Basic security light fitting is doable DIY if you're competent with electrics:
🔧 What you'll need
- Outdoor security lights (IP65 rated minimum)
- Armoured cable or conduit
- Junction boxes (weatherproof)
- Cable clips and fixings
- Drill, screwdrivers, wire strippers
- Ladder for high mounting
- Voltage tester
⚡ Electrical safety
- Turn off power at consumer unit before starting
- Test cables are dead before working on them
- Use proper outdoor-rated cable and fittings
- All connections in weatherproof enclosures
- If you're not confident, get an electrician - electricity kills
🔨 Installation tips
- Position lights to cover entrances and problem areas
- Mount high enough people can't easily tamper
- Angle sensors to cover approach routes
- Keep sensor lenses clean - dirt reduces range
- Adjust sensitivity so wind doesn't trigger lights
- Test coverage thoroughly before finishing
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using indoor lights outdoors - fail fast in weather
- Poor cable protection - gets damaged
- Lights positioned badly - dark spots or constant triggering
- Not enough height - easily vandalized
- Forgetting Part P building regs for outdoor electrical work
💡 Pro trick: Position motion sensors to detect crossing movement rather than head-on approach - sensors are more sensitive to movement across their field of view. So aim sensor along a path/driveway, not straight down it.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌙 Dusk sensors: Lights with built-in dusk sensors only operate at night - saves power and means motion sensor lights don't trigger in daylight. Essential feature for security lights.
IP ratings: IP65 minimum for outdoor lights in exposed locations. Higher (IP66/67) for very wet/dusty barns. Don't use lower-rated lights outside - they'll fail.
LED vs halogen: LED is now standard - uses fraction of the power, lasts 10x longer, runs cooler. Old halogen lights are inefficient, hot, and short-lived. Worth upgrading even if you have existing halogen fittings.
Cable burial: Armoured cable needs to be buried at least 450mm deep if there's any vehicle traffic over it. Mark routes so you don't dig into it later.
Part P compliance: Adding new outdoor lighting circuits is notifiable electrical work in England. Either use a registered electrician or notify building control yourself. Minor additions to existing circuits have different rules.
Wildlife triggers: Motion sensors sometimes trigger on large wildlife (foxes, badgers, even cats). Can't really avoid this - it's part of having security lights in rural areas. Adjust sensitivity if it's excessive.
Maintenance: Clean sensor lenses annually, check fixings are still tight, replace failed lamps. LED lamps rarely fail but when they do, replace the whole unit not just the LED chip (they're integrated).
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best type of light for rural outbuildings?
Motion-sensor LED floodlights usually - bright when you need them, off when you don't (saves electricity). Dusk-to-dawn lights work well for main yard areas where you want constant low-level lighting. I'll advise what suits your specific needs - barns, stables, and yards all have different requirements.
Can you run power to remote outbuildings?
Depends how remote. If there's existing power supply (even if it's just a socket), I can extend from that. Completely off-grid buildings might need armoured cable run underground from your main supply - that's a bigger job and needs proper electrical work. I'll assess what's involved.
Will security lights keep foxes away from chicken coops?
They help but aren't foolproof. Sudden bright light from motion sensors does deter foxes initially, but determined ones adapt. Better as part of overall security (good fencing, auto coop doors) rather than sole protection. Lights are great for seeing what you're doing late evening, though.
Do I need special lights for dusty/damp barn environments?
Yes - standard domestic lights won't last in barn conditions. Need IP-rated (weatherproof) fittings that cope with moisture, dust, and temperature changes. Agricultural-spec lights cost more but actually survive harsh conditions. I only fit lights that'll last in the environment they're going in.
How much does it cost to run security lights?
LED floodlights use very little power - about £1-2 per year if on motion sensor. Dusk-to-dawn lights obviously use more since they're on all night, but still cheap with LEDs - maybe £10-15 per year. Old halogen lights cost far more to run and fail faster.
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