Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 03, 2014 1:01 pm Hi all, I am in the drafting stages of building and my builder includes LED downlights as standard. I would like to install dimmers on the lights in the alfresco and living areas. I am yet to get a price to have these installed, but was wondering what others paid to have dimmers installed? I am assuming its cheaper to be done as part of the build rather than later on. Thanks! Dale - Building Newbie Proserpine, QLD Re: Cost to Install Dimmers 2Oct 03, 2014 2:02 pm We didn't install dimmers, so this comment doesn't come from any experience with it directly; however, a couple of thoughts ... Firstly, the builder will usually charge you retail plus builder's margin (meaning you usually pay 120% of retail in total), whereas an electrician may charge less - or allow you to supply your own. So actually buying the dimmer units can be cheaper if you get them fitted afterwards. Second, check the dimmer units you have in mind; they are often a drop-in replacement for a standard switch, so it's almost no work for the electrician to replace standard switches with dimmers. That is, it can be done entirely afterwards, there's nothing special needed during the build process (ie. no special extra wiring, no special-sized holes in walls etc). Because they usually ARE a drop-in replacement, the builder should charge you no more for labour on their installation than normal switches - when you get an electrician in afterwards, you have to pay for their time. Third, not all LED lights are dimmable. Your builder may not be installing dimmable LED's. I can't see the builder charging an exorbitant amount extra for dimmers over standard switches; it's worth getting a price. Make sure the LED lights can be dimmed! Then Google around for retail prices on the same dimmers; if the builder is charging you only 120% of that, you're probably best sticking with the builder (because if you get in an electrician after the build is finished, the electrician has to charge you some money for their time). If the builder is charging you (say) double retail, then start looking at alternatives; but if your LED downlights aren't dimmable, don't forget the cost of replacing them all with dimmable ones at the same time. Re: Cost to Install Dimmers 3Oct 03, 2014 2:26 pm Thanks for the advice, much appreciated! I guess I could just get dimmable LEDs installed in those areas and get the dimmer fitted later. I have some friends who are sparkies so labour would be a few beers and would just have to pay for materials Dale - Building Newbie Proserpine, QLD That's a fantastic result! Happy you got it sorted out. cheers Simeon 6 8640 7 12006 We were lucky in that our old house was so small (86 square metres) compared to the new house, they were able to take enough readings around the old backyard house before… 8 37143 |