How Much Will It Cost to Replace a Light Fixture?

Light Fixture Replacement Prices

Replacement light fixtures vary tremendously in price, from $15 to $5,500 or more. The typical range is $30 for a basic, wallet-friendly light to $1,300 for a high-end fixture. Budget-savvy shoppers can find simple, hanging pendant fixtures for as low as $15, but you can spend $7,500 or more for an elegant chandelier or ultra-modern, oversized pendant light fixture.

These prices reflect only the cost of the replacement fixture itself and the fitting components. Your budget will also need to include the hourly rate of an electrician to install it.

Light Fixture Replacement Installation Costs

To replace a light fixture, you’ll want to hire an electrician because this project involves working with electrical components and can be dangerous for inexperienced homeowners. Electricians typically charge between $50 and $100 per hour.

“Lighting can affect your well-being, and with more people than ever working from home, changing or adding light fixtures is a cost to seriously consider,” says electrician Salvatore Cutrona.

For a simple replacement or like-for-like switch, expect to pay for no more than 1 hour of labor per fixture. That’s an average cost of $75 per fixture. For more complex projects, such as hanging a chandelier or a heavy, oversized pendant—or switching to a different type of lighting that requires wiring changes and ceiling repair—you may pay for 4 hours or more of labor. That's an average of $300, with a range of $200 to $400 for labor.

While repairing an existing light fixture saves you the cost of a replacement, repairs take longer than a simple replacement job. Expect at least 2 hours of labor for repair, or $100 to $200 plus the cost of any necessary parts.

You may pay even more if the electrician needs an additional team member to help lift and support a particularly heavy fixture. Electricians may also charge a higher rate for the first hour (up to $150) to ensure a quick replacement job is still worth their time.

Light Fixture Replacement Costs by Type

Light fixtures vary significantly in cost, based on the size, type, features, and quality. The table below explores some of the most common lighting types, their cost range, and the average cost of each fixture. These estimates do not include labor.

Ceiling Lights

Traditional ceiling lights start at $20 per fixture and, at the high end, can cost up to $1,000 per fixture. Ceiling lights attach to a metal or plastic box on the studs or joists in the ceiling.

Replacing these commonplace light fixtures takes about 1 hour. The range for replacing ceiling lights, including parts and labor, is $70 to $1,100 per fixture, with an average cost of $100.

Recessed Lights

The cost to install recessed lights is, on average, $300 per fixture, all-in. Recessed light fixtures start at around $20 each and cost up to $300. The average cost of each unit is $160.

Then you have to factor in labor. Typically, replacing like-for-like recessed lights takes 1 to 2 hours per fixture. However, if you're switching from another type of lighting, this is a more complex job and can take 3 to 4 hours per fixture.

A simple replacement costs an average of $125 in labor, while a more complex replacement costs up to $400. That puts the average cost range of recessed light replacement at $70 to $700 per fixture, total.

Chandelier

Chandeliers add luxury to a home, but they're expensive to purchase and install. For a mini chandelier, prices start around $100. For larger, more impressive fixtures, you can pay more than $5,500 just for the chandelier itself. The average cost of a chandelier, not including labor, is $2,300.

A simple replacement of a reasonably lightweight chandelier will take up to 2 hours, for an average cost of $125. However, replacing a light fixture with a large, heavy chandelier will require reinforcement to support its weight. You can pay up to $2,000 in labor alone in such a case. This puts the total cost of a chandelier replacement at anywhere from $200 to $7,500.

Cost of Rewiring a Chandelier

You may be able to save significant costs by rewiring an existing chandelier. Before purchasing a replacement fixture, see if an electrician can save your current chandelier with a simple rewire. This may take 2 to 3 hours for a total cost of $100 to $300.

Track Lighting

Track lighting fixtures cost between $25 and $420 each. The average cost for a track lighting fixture is $220. If you're switching existing track lighting for a new model, installation takes about 1 hour per fixture, costing an average of $75. However, if you're changing to track lighting from another kind, a lighting repair contractor near you may need 3 hours for the job and will charge anywhere from $150 to $300.

To install track lighting, expect to pay a total of $350 per fixture on average, including parts and labor. The project may range from $75 to $800 per fixture total, depending on the complexity of the installation and the cost of the fixtures themselves.

Pendant Lights

Pendant light fixtures can cost anywhere from $15 for the most basic style to $4,500 for a high-end luxury pendant fixture. Most pendant lights are under $100 per unit; you’ll only spend more for large, artistic fixtures and statement pieces.

Replacing a single pendant light for another pendant of similar size and type takes only 1 hour and costs between $50 and $100. If a new mount is necessary or there's any plastering required to finish the job, plan for an additional hour. This puts the average labor cost for a standard pendant light replacement at $75 to $150.

If you're upgrading to an oversized pendant light, the work involved is essentially the same as hanging a chandelier—and can cost up to $2,000. Therefore, for a simple, budget-friendly pendant light replacement, expect to pay $65 to $250 per fixture. For a more elaborate oversized pendant, you could spend up to $7,500 for parts and labor.

Outdoor Lights

Replacing outdoor lighting is considerably less expensive than the cost of installing outdoor lights. Exterior light fixtures cost between $20 and $1,000, with an average cost of $510 each. Replacing an outdoor light fixture takes 1 to 2 hours, with roughly $50 to $200 in labor costs.

All in, expect to pay $70 to $1,200 per fixture when replacing an outdoor light. Remember to purchase a light fixture rated for outdoor use for longevity and safety.

Bathroom Lights

Bathroom light fixtures cost $70 to $300 each, with an average of $185 per unit. Replacing bathroom light fixtures takes around 1 hour per fixture, assuming it's a simple swap. That’s an average light fixture replacement labor cost of $75.

If you're planning to move the light or swap the fixture for an entirely different kind, labor costs can quickly add up. Such work might take up to 4 hours per fixture, which could set you back $400 per unit in labor costs alone.

Considering potential parts and labor costs, you'll pay $130 to $700 per unit. When selecting your light fixtures, make sure they’re damp-rated and suitable for bathrooms.

If you’re budgeting for complete bathroom remodel costs, replacement light fixtures are just a small drop in the bucket.

Wall-Mounted Lights

Wall-mounted lights are popular options for adding accent lighting or feature lighting; such fixtures typically cost $30 to $650 each. Replacing existing wall lights takes between 1 and 2 hours and costs $50 to $200, or an average of $125 per unit.

The total cost of replacing wall-mounted lights, including parts and labor, ranges between $80 and $850.

Fluorescent Lights

Fluorescent lights range from $25 to $125 per fixture, with an average cost of $75 each. Changing these types of lights takes between 1 and 3 hours, with total labor costs of $50 to $300. Straight swaps from one fluorescent fixture to another are fast, but the project can take longer if the wiring needs reconfiguring for the new unit or you're changing from another light fixture type.

Factoring in labor and the price of the replacement fixture, a complete fluorescent light replacement costs $75 to $425per light fixture.

Fluorescent Light Ballast Replacement Cost

You may not need to replace the entire fluorescent fixture—you might be able to replace just the light ballast. These typically cost between $25 and $50; it will take a nearby light fixture installer under 1 hour for this project, meaning the fluorescent light ballast replacement cost (labor and materials) could be as little as $75 to $150.

LED Lights

The cost of LED lighting starts at $40 per unit and goes as high as $5,500. The average homeowner can expect to pay on the lower end for an LED light fixture; only the most high-tech and artistic fixtures reach the high end of this range.

Replacing old LED lights for new LED fixtures only takes about 1 hour per unit. However, if you're replacing old fixtures of a different type with new LED ones, labor can be as much as 4 hours per fixture; that’s because your local LED light installer will likely need to reconfigure the wiring. In total, labor for replacing LED light fixtures ranges from $50 to $400.

All in, a budget-friendly LED light fixture replacement starts at $90 per fixture, including parts and labor. A more labor-intensive replacement using a high-end fixture can cost up to $5,900.

Factors That Influence Light Fixture Replacement Costs

While the cost of the replacement fixture (or the parts, if repairing) and the time it takes the electrician to complete the project are the two largest factors affecting the average cost to replace a light fixture, additional factors can influence the total price.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Light Fixtures

Indoor lighting generally costs less than outdoor lighting. For example, the cost to install a light fixture inside ranges from $150 to $925; outdoor projects average $2,000 to $6,000. These cost differences are applicable when replacing fixtures as well.

Condition of Wiring

One major factor to consider when calculating how much it costs to change a light fixture is the quality and condition of your home's wiring. If the wiring is old, worn, or dangerous, the electrician should replace it. The cost of rewiring a home in full or in part can quickly add up, as electricians charge by the hour, and you'd also have to pay for cutting and patching drywall.

Light Switches

Another cost factor to consider is adding additional light switches. While not necessary, you may want to install an additional light switch—or relocate the existing one—while the electrician is already working on the fixture. The cost of installing a new light switch is around $150 per switch.

DIY Light Fixture Replacement vs. Hiring a Pro

Working with electricity is dangerous, even if you're a seasoned DIYer. And in many states, there’s a legal requirement that licensed professional electricians perform light fixture installations or replacements to ensure the work is up to code.

When it comes to lighting or anything else of an electrical nature, it's smarter and often legally necessary to hire an electrician near you to get the job done.