Advice re downlight in a flat - fixing/changing

katemw_2

I have 2 lights in the ceiling of a room in my (fairly new build) flat.

They are the type of cheap downlight that just plug into a hole in the plaster in the ceiling. They fit a 50W halogen bulb that just pushes in (and is a pain to remove). There's no cover or anything on the lights and it's not in the kitchen or bathroom.

In the ceiling in a corner of the room there is a sort of access point which I can see a pipe through. It shows that the plaster is a little below the real ceiling but I don't know what else can be accessed from there.

There are 2 issues:

(1) The lights don't actually work, so I am getting an electrician to come in and fix them. I guess the cause could be anything - a faulty dimmer switch, disconnected wires or a broken transformer, perhaps. I have no idea what to expect in terms of a quote or cost for this work - can anyone give a little insight on what information I might be able to give to the electrician and maybe what to expect?

(2) I want to buy a couple of pendant lights to replace the downlights. I hope I can get them fitted by the electrician while he is there. Is there any advice that you can give me on what I need to buy to replace the downlights? Would just buying a pendant light from, say, B&Q or similar, be OK or is there anything I need to bear in mind?

blackshirtuk

The problem with putting pendant in will be you need somewhere solid to screw into. May need a few eploratory holes to find a joist.

the downlights, as you have described, fit into hole in the plasterboard.

So you will not be able to put the pendants where the downlights are, and then you will be left with 2 holes in the ceiling to repair.

katemw_2

blackshirtuk wrote: »

you will not be able to put the pendants where the downlights are, and then you will be left with 2 holes in the ceiling to repair.

Ah good point, I didn't think of that. I don't know what the pendants would be able to hang onto in the ceiling. I imagine the holes would show even if plastered over. I know there is a gap between the ceiling plaster and the proper concrete floor from the flat above so I'll have a look if I can see anything in the access panel in the corner of the room.

I guess the alternative to pendants is to buy better downlights that don't just pull out of the ceiling when you try to extract a bulb?

(I really hate the cheap ones I have - I once managed to shatter a bulb when I was trying to remove it and cut myself...)

blackshirtuk

Some of the older ones were a pain to remove the bulbs these ones:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chrome-GU10-Recessed-Ceiling-Spot-Light-Lights-Downlighters-Downlight-Fittings-/331126697349?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Lighting_Lamps_Lighting_SM&hash=item4d18b06d85

Have a clip that once removed the bulb and holder drop out of the fitting in order to easily change the bulb.

Do be careful when buying a replacement as the hole size does vary, Maybe get a quote from an electrician to fit, shouldn't be too expensive.

also maybe consider going for LED lights. you can get gu10 fitting led light bulbs, which run at 4 watts instead of 50 watts for a conventional halogen bulb. Check you are happy with the light they produce first as some say it is a bit harsh.

muckybutt

Any decent electrician would be able to put the pendants exactly where the downlighter holes are.

A couple of ways of doing it really - either wood lat above the hole and screw directly into that providing the pendant base covers the hole.
Another way would be to fill the hole with plasterboard with a wood lat above again, fill the gaps around the edge and sand back, then fix the pendant either straight into the lat or use cavity / plaster board fixings. .... simples when you know how

katemw_2

Thanks everyone