Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 11, 2014 5:34 pm Hi,
Currently building +/- 34SQ double storey home, the quoted amount of LED required by the builder are 71 lights. Each LED downlight quoted price is $149 (which means, in total, I need to pay $9685, just for the LED downlight) Do you think this is too pricey? Also, I spoke with one of sparky, he said, it is better to install batten light point to the location that I want to install downlight down the track (rather than installing junction box/point as he won't be able to see it as it is inside the ceiling); And once batten light point installed, the cost to replace that into LED downlight is roughly around $70; What do you think, install junction box/point OR batten light point? Thanks Additional note: the supplied LED by the builder is Downlight DLM21 with LEDGU109W (on which I have no idea where to get spec for this) Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 2Dec 11, 2014 5:38 pm Your sparky said that? But junction boxes are easy. I went with a normal batten in rooms where I plan to have one LED down light. I.e toilet, WIL, small WIR, that kind of thing. Otherwise I put in a junction box in each room and an all weather one outside to allow for garden lifting in future. But, I had builder do all my additional GPOs and wiring, two way switches etc. My LEDs through a supplier are about $40 each from memory and installation about $35 each after handover. You might be more restricted though and have to use builder if down lights go in the pad of second level? I'm only building one storey. Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 3Dec 11, 2014 6:37 pm Yea, interesting isn't it, he said that junction box harder to reach for him (not sure whether this is because I'm on double-storey or not)... What's everyone's with double storey home opinion? And what's been quoted by the builder? Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 4Dec 11, 2014 7:38 pm Ours costed $75 for light point $23 for led dl install + cost for fixture... Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 5Dec 11, 2014 8:37 pm Remember whatever price you have priced by the builder will also have their margin on top. Also if they don't do this a lot their supplier won't give them a good price. Sometimes this is better to just have the junction boxes installed and position your standard batten fittings where a downlight will go. [Edit: Advertising links removed by moderator] Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 6Dec 11, 2014 8:48 pm I'm still confused with the purpose of junction box, is that the one that is installed inside ceiling of both floors? Also, if the sparky preference is to have batten point on where I want led downlight, does it mean I'll have lots of batten points (in which can be converted to downlight in the future)? The argument from sparky is to install batten point as it's easier than junction box, is that a valid argument? Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 7Dec 11, 2014 8:54 pm We just did our selections - but called and spoke with electrician we knew first. Said a batten per LED to change over is not very economical. He said either put one batten for each group of 3-4 leds on the same switch - making sure batten is clear of any frame or even better put 413 quick connectors for each led - we were also worried about them not being able to be found after - but he said that it shouldn't be a problem. And with 413 he said we could drill out the whole and connect led - but we aren't going to do ourselves. 413 $4 cheaper than batten light. Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 8Dec 11, 2014 9:31 pm I would have thought positioning the std batten light in a location the down light is in and then running junction boxes up in the roof space. When the sparky comes after handover he can just mark where the lights are going and drill the holes then run his cables and wire them into the junction boxes coming from each existing batten point. [Edit: Advertising links removed by moderator] Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 9Dec 11, 2014 9:58 pm So in conclusion there are 2 cost effective methods? 1. Install batten point (for each batten point == downlight LED location) Sparky will then replace the batten point and make downlight Downside: might be expensive, as we need to install batten point from builder, and replace them into downlight by sparky OR 2. Install single batten point with junction box Sparky will then make hole, connect the cable using 413 connector to the junction box Downside: sparky might not be able to find the junction box, as it is located on the ceiling Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 10Dec 11, 2014 10:22 pm No just have your one batten point that would be included and have junction box from each one. It would be unnecessary to have a batten point for each light point, that is the point of the junction box. It allows the others to be connected into it after. [Edit: Advertising links removed by moderator] Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 12Dec 11, 2014 11:05 pm Yes exactly, builders do it all the time for customers. [Edit: Advertising links removed by moderator] Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 13Dec 12, 2014 10:53 am ![]() Additional note: the supplied LED by the builder is Downlight DLM21 with LEDGU109W (on which I have no idea where to get spec for this) Won't say much as it's mostly already been said, but thought i would mention what it is your builder is going to supply. Basically the DLM21 is a standard halogen downlight kit with replaceable bulb (http://www.electricalproducts.com.au/dlm21.html). The LEDGU109W is a GU10 mounted 9W LED bulb, like this: http://www.beaconlighting.com.au/ledlux ... globe.html If my builder tried to charge me $149 per "LED downlight" and this is what i was getting i would tell them to go stick it where the sun don't shine. Its cheap and not very good. The bulbs are cheap (maybe $20 retail, that's being generous) and the standard halogen downlight kits costs about $7 retail from Bunnings. They also don't need to use a plug point (example: http://www.renovatorstore.com.au/wp/wp- ... onnect.png) in the install of these lights as they are hard wired. Saves them a few dollars. Possibly ask for owner supplied light install costs. For instance i was charged $60 to put one batten in, or $78 for owner supplied downlights, which includes the junction box. Go buy yourself some good LED downlights. For LED downlights you want plug points as most LED downlights come with a transformer that is unique to the light. These transformers are often hard wired to the actual downlight and have a standard australian plug on the end. The plug point is just a standard 240v power point that the downlights plug into. Makes replacing them if they fail very easy. My Noosa 23 Build - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=72782 Re: $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 14Dec 15, 2014 6:52 pm Does intalling led downlight means removing batten or batten will be in its place? I have asked my builder to install led lights, is he going to remove batten? $149 for LED downlight vs installing batten light point 15Dec 15, 2014 11:14 pm Yes. Your builder will install one light, as an older fashioned batten light fitting (stocked down from ceiling), and if you're lucky you might even get one of those ugly white collar lamp shade things! ![]() The only downside I see is that if, for example, you want 4 down lights in your lounge, you get the builder to install a batten where you want an LED light in the future, if they can't put it exactly where you want it because of a beam or something in the roof, they will "use their discretion" and move it. Which means, it might muck up your layout of your 4 LED down lights.... To avoid that problem I only got the builder to install the one measly batten light per room, in rooms where I was only going to have one LED downlight like WC, WIR, WIL, etc. In my other rooms I just got a junction box installed and will use my sparky to put all my down lights, star lights, etc after hand over. Hi everyone! This is my first time posting here, and I'm looking for some advice regarding my house construction project in North Kellyville. I… 0 7268 Ask yourself if the insurance company will be aware of the Reno. 4 8329 |