How much to remove those stupid downlights and replace with a pendant light?

JimmyVik · 02-03-2022 2:44pm #1

Anyone know how much to remove 8 of those stupid downlights (hate them) in the one room and replace with a normal pendant light in a bungalow?

Same switch, just remove the 8 of them (along with all the wires going to them in the attic) and stick a bit of plasterboard on top of the hole. And drop one pendant light on the same switch. I'll fill and paint it myself.

kirk. · 02-03-2022 3:00pm

Probably 100 at a guess

No need to remove the wiring unless it's handy ,just take down the downlights and blank off the supply at each light

Take a supply from nearest downlight to pendant prob an hour's work

JimmyVik · 02-03-2022 3:09pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118719902#Comment_118719902

Thanks Kirk. Would rather get the wires removed from the attic just to make it tidier because want to insulate the attic. The wires and transformer and fittings for those downlights are a mess. Better to fill up the holes and put insulation down.

Can you PM me the number of someone who could do the job if you have a contact. Its in Swords.

kirk. · 02-03-2022 4:06pm

Don't have any contacts up there

You can add a bit on for removing the wiring

A competent diyer could remove fittings and wiring if it's a simple daisy-chain setup and leave supply ready for extending to new pendant

JimmyVik · 03-03-2022 9:24am

Thanks Kirk. I night give it a go myself. Problem is there are so many wires in that attic :)

Coddle4dinner · 03-03-2022 9:54am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118724088#Comment_118724088

hardest part of that job will be repairing the ceiling.

Just find the last light in the string (will only have one cable at it) and work backwards to the first light (will have a cable coming from the switch).

Move that cable (the switch wire) to its new location, might need to be joined in a junction box if not long enough .

JimmyVik · 03-03-2022 10:25am

Thanks Coddle4dinner.

I'll give that a go. Repairing holes and painting I can do :)

Its the maze of wires im a bit bamboozled about.

Whoever invented those ceiling spots should be hung, drawn, and quartered :)

kirk. · 03-03-2022 11:15am

Was never a fan of the downlight

They've improved a lot with the acoustic thermal fire rating and led

They were more suited to commercial than domestic

jumbone · 03-03-2022 4:33pm

You mention putting plasterboard over the hole and filling - thats a lot of filler and would likely crack as it shrinks/drys...

I'd get a holesaw as close as possible to the size of the holes and a scrap of plasterboard and cut out 8 blanks to fill the holes

Ignore the clickbait title/thumbnail, this video is a good guide to the repair:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=004yaMHOlaQ

Pay attention to when he rips the paper off the plasterboard at ~2:40

jumbone · 03-03-2022 4:37pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118719902#Comment_118719902

I think they are low voltage as he mentions a transformer.

You will need to take the supply currently going into the transformer to the pendant

NewClareman · 04-03-2022 10:50am

Everyone thinks electrical work is easy, and it often is. However, it is not always as straightforward as it may appear and can go badly wrong.

For the sake of the few bob I'd get a professional in to rewire the light. Once the existing wiring is isolated you could then remove that yourself.

JimmyVik · 04-03-2022 10:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118726539#Comment_118726539

Thanks. I was goin to just stick some plasterboard above the hole. and then put more underneath like you showed. The part above is just to give the lover part something to stick to.

How much to remove those stupid downlights and replace with a pendant light?

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