How much does a lux survey cost in the UK?
Many lux testing firms only quote after a phone call. We publish fixed starting prices so you can budget before you enquire. Every price is confirmed in writing before booking, based on the size and type of your premises, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
Our published lux testing prices
| Survey type | Price | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|
| Spot check | from £90 | A single problem area, complaint or quick verification |
| Emergency escape lighting check | from £120 | Photometric check of escape routes and open areas |
| Commercial kitchen | from £140 | Food preparation, cooking and wash-up areas |
| HMO and rented housing | from £150 | Common parts, stairs, landings and escape routes |
| Premises licensing | from £160 | Evidence for licence applications or conditions |
| Office or retail survey | from £175 | Single floor up to 250 m² |
| Insurance and dilapidations report | from £190 | Documented condition for insurers, landlords or tenants |
| Care home and GP surgery | from £220 | Clinical, communal and circulation areas |
| Car park and external | from £250 | Parking areas, ramps, pedestrian routes |
| School and nursery | from £260 | Classrooms, halls, corridors and specialist rooms |
| Warehouse and industrial | from £320 | Storage aisles, picking, packing and production areas |
| Sports and leisure | from £340 | Sports halls, pools, gyms and changing areas |
| Multi-site | POA | Portfolios, chains and estates |
See our pricing section for what each package includes, or get an instant estimate with the cost calculator.
What drives the cost of lux testing?
Floor area
Larger areas need more grid points. Under the BS EN 12464-1:2021 grid method, a 10 m room needs readings roughly every metre, so a large open floor generates a lot of measurements. Our office and retail price covers a single floor up to 250 m²; larger floors are quoted proportionately.
Number and variety of spaces
Ten small rooms take longer than one open-plan area of the same total size, because each room needs its own grid, its own target and its own result. Mixed-use buildings with offices, kitchens, stores and stairs take longer than a single-use floor.
Ceiling height and access
High-bay warehouses, sports halls and atriums are not harder to measure at floor level, but they involve larger areas, more complex layouts and often vertical measurements on racking faces. That is reflected in the higher starting prices for warehouse and sports surveys.
Daylight and timing
To assess electric lighting fairly, daylight must be excluded. In heavily glazed buildings that may mean an evening visit. Emergency lighting checks also need the normal lighting switched off, which is usually easier out of hours.
Emergency lighting
Adding an emergency escape lighting check to a general survey is often more cost-effective than booking it separately, because the surveyor is already on site. See our emergency lighting lux survey.
Reporting requirements
A standard report includes results by area, pass or fail status and recommendations. Insurance, dilapidations and licensing reports may need extra detail, photographs or a specific format.
Lux survey vs lighting designer vs DIY meter
| Option | Best for | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Lux survey (Polarity Lux) | Measuring what an existing installation actually delivers, with compliance evidence | Diagnoses and recommends; does not produce a full new lighting design |
| Lighting designer | New builds, major refurbishments and full redesigns, using calculation software | Usually charged as a design fee and based on calculations rather than on-site measurement of the existing installation |
| DIY lux meter | Quick internal checks between formal surveys | Needs a calibrated Class A or B meter, the correct grid and heights, and expertise to interpret against the right standard |
When a lighting designer makes sense
If you are planning a new building or replacing the whole lighting system, a lighting designer will model luminaire layouts, glare and energy use. Even then, a measured survey at handover is the best way to confirm the design has been delivered as intended.
Is a DIY lux meter cheaper?
A properly corrected meter costs more than our spot check price before you add annual calibration, staff time and the risk of measuring at the wrong height or including daylight. Phone apps cost nothing but are not calibrated or properly corrected, so they cannot evidence compliance. Read what is a lux meter? before you buy one.
What does a failed survey cost?
The survey itself is a small fraction of the potential cost of poor lighting: accidents, claims, staff absence from eyestrain and headaches, picking errors and the expense of an LED retrofit that has to be corrected. Many failures are cheap to fix, such as cleaning luminaires, replacing failed drivers or adjusting positions. As an NICEIC approved contractor, Polarity Electrics can quote for remedial work if you wish, with a re-test to confirm compliance. See common lighting failures.
Ways to keep costs down
- Send floor plans in advance so the grid can be planned before arrival.
- Combine general and emergency lighting checks in one visit.
- Group multiple sites or floors into a single booking.
- Clean luminaires and replace failed lamps before the survey, to avoid a re-test.
Get a fixed price for your lux survey
We cover London, Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and the rest of the South East and East of England. Tell us about your premises and we will confirm a fixed price before booking. Request your quote.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lux survey cost?
Our fixed prices start from £90 for a spot check, £175 for an office or retail survey of a single floor up to 250 m², and £320 for warehouse and industrial premises. Every price is confirmed before booking.
How much does an emergency lighting lux check cost?
An emergency escape lighting check starts from £120. Combining it with a general lux survey in the same visit is usually more cost-effective.
Is it cheaper to buy my own lux meter?
A properly calibrated, cosine and V(λ) corrected meter costs more than a spot check before annual calibration and staff time. It is useful for internal checks but needs the correct method to give reliable results.
Do you charge for multi-site surveys?
Multi-site and portfolio work is priced on application, based on the number, size and type of sites. Contact us via the booking form for a quote.