Recessed Light Installation Price Nepal 2026: Downlight Cost
Recessed light installation price in Nepal: downlight fitting cost per light, concrete hole cutting and wiring. Kathmandu NPR rates 2026 from SDR Smart Design and Repair — 9801508528.
Recessed light installation price in Nepal (per light)
The recessed light installation price in Nepal in 2026 breaks into three parts: the fitting you buy, the labour to fit it, and any hole or cable work needed to get power to it. A basic 7–9W LED downlight costs Rs 350–700, a branded Philips or Havells unit runs Rs 700–1,800, and a high-COB or dimmable recessed light runs Rs 1,200–2,500. Fitting labour into an existing cut-out is Rs 300–600 per light, with a minimum visit fee that covers small jobs.
That means a straightforward swap — old downlight out, new one in, same hole, same cable — lands around Rs 700–1,400 per light all-in for a basic unit, or Rs 1,500–3,000 for a branded fitting. The number jumps when the ceiling is solid concrete with no hole, because cutting and running new cable is a different job entirely. SDR Smart Design and Repair quotes both scenarios up front on 9801508528 so there is no surprise at the drill.
- Basic LED downlight (7–12W): Rs 350–700
- Branded downlight (Philips, Havells): Rs 700–1,800
- COB / dimmable recessed light: Rs 1,200–2,500
- Fit into existing hole: Rs 300–600 per light
- Typical swap, basic unit all-in: Rs 700–1,400 per light
- Minimum visit fee (valley): Rs 500–1,000
Concrete hole cutting and new light points
Solid concrete ceilings — common in Kathmandu RCC construction — need a core cut before any recessed light can go in. Hole cutting with a diamond core bit costs Rs 400–800 per hole for a standard 70–90 mm downlight, plus dust control and cleanup. If the ceiling has no cable at that spot, running a new point from the nearest junction or switch adds Rs 500–1,200 for cable and labour, more if the route needs a chase in the wall or a surface trunking run.
Gypsum and POP ceilings are much easier: spring-clip downlights need only a hole saw cut at Rs 150–350 per hole if the cut-out was not made during ceiling installation. The smart sequence is to plan every recessed light position before false ceiling boarding — cutting finished gypsum is still cheap, but cutting concrete after the room is furnished is dusty, slow and adds Rs 800–2,000 per light over the planned route.
- Concrete core cut (70–90 mm): Rs 400–800 per hole
- Gypsum/POP hole saw: Rs 150–350 per hole
- New cable point to unlit spot: Rs 500–1,200
- Surface trunking run (per ft): Rs 80–200
- Wall chase + make-good: Rs 300–700 per run
Total cost examples for common rooms
These sample totals from recent SDR jobs show how quickly per-light pricing adds up. Each example includes fittings at named brands, cable, labour, testing and cleanup within Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.
Your price moves with fitting brand and ceiling type — a concrete ceiling with no existing points sits 30–50% above a gypsum ceiling where cable is already pulled. Send ceiling photos and light count to 9801508528 for a free itemised NPR estimate.
- Bedroom, 4 downlights, existing points: Rs 5,500–11,000
- Living room, 6 branded downlights + 1 chandelier point: Rs 14,000–26,000
- Kitchen, 4 moisture-rated downlights, concrete ceiling: Rs 9,000–16,000
- Commercial office, 12 panel lights (600×600): Rs 22,000–40,000
- Single light swap (labour + basic fitting): Rs 700–1,400
Choosing the right recessed light for your ceiling
Match the fitting to the ceiling depth and the room. Shallow ceilings (under 90 mm cavity) need edge-lit or slim recessed units; deep trays can take COB downlights with deeper heat sinks. Bathrooms and kitchen-adjacent ceilings need at least IP44 moisture-rated fittings — an unsealed downlight over a shower is a monsoon fault waiting to happen. For living rooms, pick 2700–3000K warm light for seating areas and 4000K only where you cook or work.
Beam angle matters too: a 36° COB gives a focused pool of light for art or counters, while a 100° panel washes a whole room evenly. Bring these choices to your electrician before purchase — retrofitting the wrong size cut-out later means filler, repainting or a bigger trim ring. SDR keeps common sizes (55 mm, 75 mm, 90 mm) in stock for same-visit swaps.
- Shallow cavity: slim edge-lit downlight
- Wet areas: minimum IP44 moisture-rated fitting
- Living areas: 2700–3000K, 90+ CRI where possible
- Counters and art: 36–60° COB beam
- Whole-room wash: 90–120° panel light
- Check cut-out size against the fitting spec before buying
Book recessed light installation with SDR
Recessed light work is quick when the person holding the drill understands the circuit behind it. SDR Smart Design and Repair tests the point, confirms cable size and polarity, fits the light, checks the driver and shows you the result before we pack up — the same visit, one clear NPR price. Night and same-day slots are available across the valley.
Call or WhatsApp 9801508528 with the number of lights, a photo of the ceiling type and whether points already exist, or book at /#booking. If your job sits inside a bigger renovation, see the ceiling cost breakdown at /blog/false-ceiling-lighting-cost-nepal and board pricing at /blog/switchboard-upgrade-cost-nepal.
- Count your lights and photograph the ceiling type
- Note if cable already reaches each position
- Confirm fitting brand and colour temperature
- Free estimate by phone or WhatsApp: 9801508528
- Book online at /#booking — Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur
Need a licensed electrician in Nepal?
Book a service online in under a minute, or message us on WhatsApp for a free estimate. Serving Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.