How much does Lighting repair cost?

Light fixtures in the home are important for both safety and comfort. When light switches don’t work or light fixtures are hanging by a thread, it’s time to call an electrician. This type of electrical work isn’t recommended as a DIY home improvement project (and it’s illegal for unlicensed homeowners to perform such work in some cities or counties), so leave this potentially dangerous task to the pros. 

This guide explains the typical costs for a licensed electrician to fix residential light fixtures. Pricing data is based on estimated project costs provided to Yelp users by electrical businesses on Yelp, along with industry research. Learn more in the methodology section at the end of the guide. 

The typical cost to repair lighting is $190 per fixture, including parts and labor, according to Yelp data. Cost estimates can range from $130–275, depending on the type of fixture to be repaired or installed, complexity of the work, and local rates. Small fixture repairs, such as fixing a flickering pendant light, generally run toward the low end ($130); while more complex jobs, such as removing, disassembling, and repairing a heavy chandelier, can run as high as $275.

“Electrical work is usually something we can accomplish in 1 to 2 hours,” says licensed electrician Shannon Hernandez, co-owner of BrightLife Electric in Sparks, Nevada. “Light fixtures that aren’t working are very straightforward fixes 90% of the time.”

Electricians may charge by the hour, by a flat rate, or by a service-call fee.

Electricians typically charge $134 per hour for common lighting repair jobs, according to Yelp data. Basic light fixture repairs—fixing track lighting, pendant lights, or a ceiling fan, for example—could take a journeyman electrician 1–3 hours, at a cost of about $135–400. If there’s a problem in the house’s wiring, or the area isn’t easy to reach, the job could take longer and cost more. 

Electricians often charge flat rates for common light fixture repair jobs, where they know about how much labor time will be required. Some electricians charge a service-call fee of about $100–200 (or their hourly rate as a minimum charge) to visit your home, diagnose the problem, and provide a cost estimate. Once hired, they typically switch to standard hourly rates and bill by the quarter-hour for repair work. 

To avoid surprises and ensure your final bill matches the quote, keep the following in mind when hiring an electrician for light fixture repair: 

The most common lighting repairs involve mechanical or electrical problems, such as loose or faulty wiring, flipped circuit breakers, and broken switches or fixture supports. These jobs typically require preparing the worksite, dissembling the fixture, inspecting, cleaning and adjusting contacts and connections, securing parts and materials, and cleanup, all of which can be done the same day. If a new light fixture is needed, an electrician may have to come back to install it, which will increase total cost.

Mechanical problems, such as a light fixture dangling from its mounting or a recessed fixture sagging from its trim, can usually be repaired by a handyman or handyperson for $40–80 per hour, plus the cost of materials. This kind of repair usually takes 1–2 hours.

An electrician can fix electrical problems—such as a flickering or buzzing light, non-responsive light switch, or switch that’s hot to the touch—at a rate of $80–195 per hour (labor only), according to Yelp data. The job usually takes 1–2 hours. They also can fix or rewire faulty fixtures on the spot in an hour or two. You can save money by taking your fixture to a lighting shop, where you’ll usually pay $40–110 for simple repairs. 

Replacing a failed light fixture is often easier and more cost effective than repairing it. The cost of simple sconces or flush-mounted fixtures can range from as little as $22–80—with average installation costs of $155–400, according to Yelp data—so replacement with new fixtures may make the most sense.

In most cases, the main driver of repair costs is accessibility to wiring inside the walls. “If you live in a 2-story house without an attic or crawl space, you’ll pay a lot of money for light fixture repair or installation work,” says Hernandez of BrightLife Electric. “Because there’s no access, we’d have to cut open drywall to run or access wiring. Average labor costs will be much higher.”

For the most common light fixtures, the cost of repair ranges from $120–295, according to Yelp data. Specific costs largely depend on the complexity of the fixtures, along with their size and weight. Repairing a ceiling fan ($195) or chandelier ($205), for example, costs more than fixing a simple wall sconce ($165). 

As a general rule, light fixtures with moving parts, such as dimmer knobs and ceiling fans, will wear out more quickly, and need repairs sooner, than fixtures with few or no moving parts. But any lighting fixture can wear out over time. How long that takes depends on quality of construction, amount of daily or yearly use, local climate, and proper maintenance.

Repairing a new ceiling fan typically costs $195, according to Yelp data. Costs can range from $135 for simple repair jobs—such as re-synchronizing a remote to the fan—to $280 on the high end, for complex jobs like disassembling the fan and installing new light sockets. Common ceiling fan problems involve flickering lights, wobbling, and motor failure. 

Electricians often counsel homeowners to replace ceiling fans rather than repair a faulty one, because disassembling, repairing, and reinstalling an old fan is typically more expensive than installing a new one (not including cost of the new fan). Installing a ceiling fan is a simple job, but it becomes more difficult if the electrician needs to attach a heavy-duty electrical box to ceiling joists to support the fan’s weight (which takes about an hour of labor, at a cost of $134, typically).

Repairing a chandelier typically costs $205, according to Yelp data, but prices can range from $145–295, depending on whether new wiring is required. Common chandelier problems include loose or frayed wiring, loose mounting hardware, and charring in the light sockets from bulbs exceeding the fixture’s wattage recommendation. 

Repair work involves disassembly, inspection, testing, and replacement of faulty wiring or adjusting/replacing the fixture’s hardware. Repair costs could go higher if the electrician needs to run new wiring, upgrade the electrical junction box, or replace the chandelier altogether. And the heavier the new or old chandelier is, the higher the repair, removal, and disposal costs. 

Repairing fluorescent lighting typically costs $190, according to Yelp data, but can range from $135–270. Most repairs of faulty fluorescent light fixtures involve replacing the light ballast—the part that holds the fluorescent light tubes in place. For this repair, electricians need to remove the entire fixture from the ceiling to remove the faulty ballast, then install and rewire a new ballast before re-hanging the fixture.

The typical cost to repair pendant lights is $175, according to Yelp data. But costs can range from $120–$285, depending on the requirements of the job. Problems with pendant lights can arise from faulty wiring or overheating of high-wattage bulbs. 

Repair work involves removing the fixture to inspect wiring and replacing faulty parts or rewiring, as necessary. Another cost factor: The job may require adjustments to the pendant light’s hang height—typically 30–36 inches for pendant lights over a countertop or island, or 72 inches from the floor to the base of the fixture. New hardware installation to handle the weight of a heavier pendant also increases costs.

Recessed lighting repairs typically cost $175 per fixture, though prices can range from $125–290. Typical jobs range from installing new light bulbs or reattaching sagging trim pieces to repairing fixtures that have pulled loose from their attachment to ceiling rafters or joists, then repairing drywall.

Repairing faulty wall sconces typically costs $165, but can range from $120–285. Costs are primarily influenced by how much time it takes to disassemble the light fixture and diagnose the issue, as well as sourcing and installing any necessary replacement parts. Wall sconce problems may stem from loose wiring, a bad socket, or an interruption of electricity to the fixture.

Lighting repair may also involve such movable fixtures as table lamps, as well as outdoor or track lighting. The table below shows costs ranges for these types of light fixture repairs. 

The average cost to repair a floor or table lamp ranges from $80–195 (labor only) for 1 hour of work at an electrician’s hourly rate. The job involves diagnosing and fixing any faulty parts, such as the bulb, socket with switch, and cord. An electrician will first test a new bulb, then make sure the outlet works, before determining if the outlet needs repair. If the lamp itself needs repair, you can often save money by taking it to a lighting repair shop, at an average cost of $40–110 for simple repairs. 

Installing new LED strip lighting—which is usually more cost-effective than repairing it—is a DIY task most homeowners can handle. Ready to install right out of the box, these lights range in cost from about $20–100, or about $1.80–14.00 per foot, depending on quality and functionality.

The cost to repair faulty outdoor light fixtures could range from $80–585 for 1–3 hours of labor at an electrician’s hourly rate. Your total cost depends on the type of repair and total number of light fixtures to be fixed or installed. Outdoor lighting and landscape lighting is typically part of a home’s entire lighting system, designed and managed by an outdoor lighting specialist or electrician. Problems can arise from weather-related faults in wiring connections, fraying from rocks or tree roots, and wet or damaged light sockets. 

The type of outdoor lighting also impacts total cost—security lighting, for example, requires more expertise than garden accent or pathway lighting. Inexpensive solar lighting, which is often used to line pathways, can be purchased and installed by homeowners for as little as $5 per light, or $50 for a 6-pack of higher-quality lights (plus the cost of labor if professionally installed). 

Simple track lighting repair typically costs between $80–195 for 1 hour of an electrician’s time, according to Yelp data. Installing new track lighting, however, could cost $80–250 for materials, plus 1–2 hours of labor at $160–390. A common problem with track lighting is loose wiring inside the light, which requires disassembly, inspection, and repair of the fixture.

The decision to repair or replace a broken light fixture is often dictated by the potential replacement cost.

If the fixture has high value—whether monetary (such as an expensive chandelier) or personally (such as a keepsake or unique design)—it’s more likely to be worth repairing. A sentimental table lamp that came from your grandparents’ house is usually a strong candidate for repair, regardless of replacement costs. Minor electrical problems, such as loose connections that don’t require extensive repair work, may only cost $40–110 to have fixed at a lighting store.

Light fixture installation is usually more economical than trying to diagnose and repair a faulty fixture. This is especially true when replacement adds long-term value or is a significant upgrade. “It’s almost always more cost-effective to replace rather than repair,” says Hernandez.

“You can buy a lighted ceiling fan for $125 and have it installed for $125. To repair, you’ll pay an electrician to diagnose it, hunt down the new parts, uninstall the fan, take it apart, install the new parts, and reinstall the fan,” she says. “That’s two trips plus the cost of materials, when you could have just bought a new fan.” 

Here are several common issues that influence light fixture repair costs.

Access to attics or crawl spaces is a key factor in an electrician’s quotes. New wiring, ceilings above 15 feet high, and hard-to-reach areas drive up labor costs, according to Hernandez. “If we have to install new wiring anywhere, the total project costs could run from $350–500,” she says. “We have to get in the attic, run new wiring, fish it up and down the wall, and cut in an electrical box.”

Light fixture repair costs for electricians can vary significantly from one region to another, depending upon local labor rates, competition, and general economic conditions. In general, rates tend to be lower In small towns than in cities with a high cost of living. Yelp data shows that the costs for light fixture repair can even vary significantly within a given state. For example, the typical cost is $175 in San Diego but $250 in San Francisco.

Costs are usually lower when you schedule your light fixture repair service during a weekday, in advance. Electricians may charge a premium for emergency service or to come out on evenings, weekends, or holidays—1.5–2x normal hourly or flat rates. Ask about discounted rates for off-peak hours or days when the electrician is less busy. 

In certain jurisdictions, homeowners may be required to obtain a building permit for new electrical work. In general, repairs to existing electrical wiring and junction boxes don’t need to be permitted, but installing wiring and junction boxes for new light fixtures often does. Permits can cost $40 or more, depending on local building department fees.

The following advice may help you reduce your lighting repair expenses.

Although it’s usually best to hire an electrician, an experienced handyman or handyperson may be qualified to handle minor electrical repair work, such as changing out a faulty pendant light or upgrading a few outdated light fixtures, at a cost of about $40–80 per hour (compared to $80–195 per hour for licensed electricians). Just make sure they’re accomplished at this type of electrical work. 

Making a few phone calls to get cost estimates and quotes from a handful of licensed electricians could save money, since hourly rates and service fees vary. A journeyman electrician, the least expensive, is the right pro for basic light fixture repair. Master electricians, the most expensive, are needed for more involved jobs. Also, screen local electric pros by checking customer reviews on Yelp. 

Electrical work is not a job for untrained homeowners. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, lack of proper electrical safety training is a leading cause of electrical accidents. The chances for electric shock are increased whenever work is performed on electrical panels, circuit breakers, outlets, switches, light fixtures, and electrical wiring. 

When you call an electrician to get a quote on repairs for your light fixture or any electrical needs, be sure to ask a few key questions about their business. You’ll often find answers to the following on the business’s Yelp Business Page.

In addition, you should ask the following questions specific to light fixture repair costs:

Who can rewire a light fixture? 

A licensed electrician is usually a homeowner’s best option for light fixture repair, because they have the training and tools to do the job safely and correctly. (Depending on local laws, an electrician may be required for complex electrical work.) Hourly rates for hiring a licensed electrician range from $80–195, according to Yelp data.

How much does it cost to repair a light fixture? 

Light fixture repair costs range from $130–275, with an average cost of $190, according to Yelp data. Specific costs depend on factors such as accessibility, condition of existing wiring, need for new parts or hardware, and purchasing new light fixtures when replacement is necessary.

Do I need to hire an electrician? 

While simple lighting repair jobs, such as fixing a light dangling from its mounting, can be handled by a handyperson (at a cost of  $40–80 per hour), any complex electrical work should be handled by a licensed electrician with the tools and skills for the job. Costs to hire an electrician to repair common light fixtures range from $120–285 for a wall sconce to $145–295 for a chandelier.

Find a qualified electrician in your area.

Cost data in this guide is based on project quote estimates provided to Yelp users by licensed professionals and businesses on Yelp (as well as analysis of industry data). Actual project costs may vary depending on location or complexity of the project. Cost data has been reviewed by our industry expert, Don Vandervort, a nationally known home improvement author. Don is the founder of the website HomeTips.com and has written or produced more than 30 home improvement books.