The short answer
A typical commercial LED retrofit budgets at about £50–£150 per 600×600 panel, £80–£200 per batten and £150–£400 per high bay, supplied and installed and excluding VAT. Emergency fittings run at about £60–£150 each, and the total depends on fitting count, access, wiring and controls.
What drives the price
Four things decide most commercial lighting prices: how many fittings there are, how high they are, whether the existing circuits can be reused, and whether you add controls.
- Fitting count and type: panels and battens are quicker than high bays or external floods.
- Access: anything above a stepladder needs a podium, scissor lift or boom lift, typically £150–£300 a day.
- Wiring: reusing sound circuits keeps cost down; new containment, circuits or a new supply add to it.
- Controls: presence and daylight sensors or DALI add cost but can cut running hours.
- Working hours: evening and weekend working usually costs more than daytime.
Typical budget prices
| Item | Budget (ex VAT) | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| LED panel (600×600) | £50–£150 | per fitting, supplied and fitted |
| LED batten | £80–£200 | per complete luminaire |
| LED high bay | £150–£400 | per fitting, plus lift hire if needed |
| Emergency luminaire or exit sign | £60–£150 | per fitting |
| Presence (PIR) sensor | £40–£80 | per sensor |
| Daylight sensor | £60–£120 | per sensor |
| DALI control | £50–£150 | per luminaire, on top of the fitting |
| LED floodlight | £200–£500 | per fitting |
| 6 m column with LED lantern | £800–£1,500 | per column, moderate cable run |
| Annual emergency lighting test | £125–£400 | per visit, small system |
These are budget allowances, not quotations. They assume a straightforward site with several fittings and suitable existing circuits.
Worked examples
- A 400 m² office with 40 fluorescent panels replaced by LED: about £2,000–£6,000.
- A 3,000 m² warehouse with 60 high bays and three days of lift hire: about £9,450–£24,900.
- A two-storey office needing 25 emergency luminaires and exit signs: about £1,500–£3,750.
- A car park with eight new 6 m columns and LED lanterns: about £6,400–£12,000.
Use our guide price tool for a figure based on your own fitting count, access and postcode.
How to keep the cost down
- Reuse sound circuits and columns where they are safe to keep.
- Combine LED, controls and emergency lighting work in one visit.
- Phase large sites so lift hire is used efficiently.
- Check whether capital allowances apply before you buy.
Questions
Is LED lighting cheaper to install than fluorescent?
Fitting prices are now similar, and LED fittings use far less energy and need fewer lamp changes. Fluorescent tubes are also being phased out, so LED is the practical choice for new work.
Do your prices include VAT?
No. Guide prices on this site exclude VAT.
Related services
LED lighting upgrades
Swap fluorescent, halogen and metal halide fittings for efficient LED.
Warehouse lighting
LED high bays and aisle lighting for warehouses and distribution sites.
Emergency lighting installation
Escape route lighting and exit signs designed to BS 5266-1.
Car park lighting
New columns, LED lantern upgrades and controls for car parks.
Last reviewed 9 November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or engineering advice for a specific site.