The cost to install pendant lights: a complete guide

Estimating the cost to install pendant lights can be tricky if you haven’t gone through the process before. The range of products is vast and its installation nearly always requires professional assistance. However, they can and should be an integral part of your home’s overall lighting plan so familiarising yourself with the numbers is definitely a worthwhile thing to do.

Buying the actual fixture is what will cost people the most money when installing pendant lights in their homes. They are one of the more elaborate types of ceiling light with standard pendant light prices ranging in price from $300 to over $2,000.

Most quality pendant lights will fall within this broad range. That doesn't mean you won't be able to find pendant lights for less but typically it means compromising on aspects of the manufacturing, like materials and workmanship, or features of the design in terms of aesthetic styling.

Premium and luxury pendant lights can cost you as much as $6,500 or even more. These pendant lights are typically nothing short of breathtaking in terms of design. They are large, decorative and ornate statement pieces, almost artisan in nature designed to grab one’s attention and hold it. The finest materials and superb craftsmanship are displayed with fixtures that are also built to last.

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One of the biggest contributors to pendant light cost is, as you might expect, the material used. Higher quality materials tend to mean a higher price paid, for example, metallic and glass pendants will nearly always cost more than one made out of plastic.

The design also has a big influence on the price. Simple designs and shapes tend to be more readily available and accessible while curved designs and unconventional shapes are more unique giving them a point of difference that comes at a premium. If you're looking for a pendant light that's artistic and sculptural, be prepared to pay more.

The brand is another factor that affects pendant light cost. Luxury brands often do both of the above, using higher quality materials with unique and interesting designs, which naturally makes the price increase.

But it's important to remember that price isn't cut and dry. These three factors can be mixed and matched. This means a luxury brand can put out a light fixture that's more simple, but because of the name and the materials used, it may be more expensive than what you may find elsewhere.

When you're planning to install a pendant light in your home, you have to factor in the cost of a lighting professional or electrician for installation.

Labour costs for electricians in Australia are slightly higher for those living in larger cities than in smaller towns but broadly speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere between $80 - $130 as an hourly rate.

It can also depend on who you hire. With a more experienced electrician, you can expect to pay higher prices. But many homeowners don't mind paying for the experience if it means the job will be done well.

Pendant lights are a relatively easy installation for most professionals. The job will often take them less than two hours, and the total cost will often fall between $160 - $230. It's a good idea to get quotes from a few different electricians before hiring one for the job.

Related article: The ultimate guide to ceiling lights

There are a number of factors that can influence the cost of getting a lighting fixture installed which should be kept in mind.

The complexity of the job is something that can increase the time taken to install a pendant light. Complexity can refer to the type of pendant light which you’re having installed, for example, a modest glass pendant light will be much easier for an electrician to fix than a large multi light pendant or a chandelier.

The placement and position of the pendant light can also affect the time taken for the job. A pendant in a living room with an average sized ceiling will be much quicker than one in a grand entryway with a high ceiling. If you want the pendant light installed in an entirely new location altogether, that wiring will also add a decent amount of time to a job.

As was mentioned earlier, it always pays to get a few quotes for a job to get an idea of what the baseline cost will broadly be.

Doing an electrical job yourself can be risky if you don't have the experience. Some homeowners think they can save on labour and installation. But incorrectly installing a light fixture on your own can actually lead to spending more money down the line.

But hiring a professional electrician means you're almost always guaranteed to get the job done right the first time. Professionals have the training and background in electrical work, which means a proper installation.

Professional electricians also have to meet quality and safety standards. So when you get a professional to install light fixtures, you can feel confident that it's secure and meets all current requirements.

Pendant lights can add a sculptural beauty to kitchens and foyers and much-needed ambient and accent lighting to living rooms and bedrooms. Before committing to the project, make sure you have a good idea of all the costs involved to buy and install your pendant light of choice so you can budget accordingly and make every dollar count.