Downlights and LED lighting
Halogen conversions, dimming that actually works, and outdoor lighting that survives a Hills summer.
Halogen to LED — worth doing properly
If your downlights are original halogens, you have three problems at once: they run hot enough to be a genuine fire risk against insulation, they use roughly ten times the power of an equivalent LED, and the transformers fail steadily as they age.
The conversion is not simply swapping globes. Modern fittings are IC-4 rated, meaning insulation can sit directly against and over them, which is what allows your ceiling insulation to be reinstated properly. On 1990s and 2000s Hills homes we routinely find insulation that was cut away around every downlight — which is a large hole in the thermal performance of the house.
Dimming that works
Most complaints about LED dimming come down to a mismatch between the dimmer and the driver. An old leading-edge dimmer designed for halogen load will flicker, buzz or refuse to dim low on LEDs.
We match the dimmer to the fittings rather than assuming. If you want smart control later, it's worth saying so now — the wiring decision differs.
Lighting questions
How much does LED downlight installation cost?
It depends on whether it's a straight replacement into an existing hole, or a new installation needing cable runs and ceiling access. Tell us how many and whether they're existing positions, and we'll give you a fixed price.
Can you replace my downlights without damaging the ceiling?
Straight replacements into existing openings usually leave no marks. New positions require a hole cut and cable run — tidy, but it is a new hole. We'll be clear about which yours is.
Why do my LED lights flicker when dimmed?
Almost always an incompatible dimmer. A leading-edge dimmer built for halogen doesn't suit most LED drivers. Changing the dimmer to a matched trailing-edge type usually resolves it.
Is it safe to put insulation over my downlights?
Only if the fittings are rated for it — IC-4 rated fittings are designed for insulation in contact and over the top. Older halogen fittings are not, and covering them is a fire risk.
What downlights cost
Priced per light, because that's how the job actually scales.
| The job | Price |
|---|---|
| Replace a halogen downlight with LED — existing openingInstall only, you supply the fittings | $60 – $110 each |
| Standard LED downlight, supplied and installedIC-4 rated, insulation can sit over it | $50 – $100 each |
| Premium LED downlight, supplied and installedBetter colour rendering, dimming performance and warranty | $100 – $160 each |
| Whole-home conversion, 8–10 downlightsThe common single-storey job | $700 – $1,000 |
| New downlight positionsNew openings and cable runs, priced on ceiling access | from $130 each |
These are indicative market ranges for Sydney in 2026, not a quote. What you pay depends on your switchboard, access and what we find. We confirm a fixed price before starting, and it doesn't move.