Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design 1 May 03, 2011 10:10 pm Hi, The builder is providing low voltage downlights in the contract. These are 12V downlights so they will be connected to a transformer. They do have the option of switching to LED downlights which are 240V but each downlight will cost $160 which i think is ridiculous. I guess the real question other than costs is whether: 1) Should I stick with the 12V halogen downlights and replace them with 12V LED downlights post handover? How will this decision affect insulation in the ceiling as i understand non LED downlights needs a clear area in the insulation for safety reasons? 2) Pay for the upgrade to 240V (therefore transformer-less?) LED downlights? Thanks Re: Question about downlight choices with builder 2May 04, 2011 8:00 am How much are you paying for the standard downlights and will you get this knocked off the price of the LED lights. If you are paying $160 extra per downlight over the 12w ones I would be getting one standard batten fitting for the moment and getting a reduction on price. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Question about downlight choices with builder 4May 04, 2011 8:11 am Just because they are included shouldn't mean you can't get a price reduction if you delete them. for example - My last house included a huge theatre room. by reducing the length by 1m I got a couple of thousand of the price. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: Question about downlight choices with builder 5May 04, 2011 9:39 pm Or you can get the builder to supply plug base in the ceiling ,conduit in wall to switch and then after handover get your own sparky in to install your own downlights & dimmer. Hunt around and you can pick up some good LED's much cheaper. Re: Question about downlight choices with builder 6May 05, 2011 8:52 pm Not sure where you are building. But you may want to ask your builder if these lighting changes will affect you and how: http://vic.hia.com.au/documents/vic_110317/BCA%20Vol2%20artificial%20lighting%20provisions%20final.pdf House - Lockup completed 23rd December 2011 - Painters are in!!! https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=37261&start=0&hilit=Blaxland Hi Mofflepop, I would recommend finding a building designer to prepare plans, they should design to your specified budget. The benefit is you can tender the project out… 9 21281 You can really use anything you want the main consideration would be how it looks once painted/finished - or the look you want. Cabinetmakers use MDF because its cheap… 2 10478 |