Removing a wall light fitting

[ClashCityRocker]

Hello all,

We are finally redecorating the living room - it having been untouched for the last fifteen years!

There is a wall light on one of the walls which has never worked and looks a bit naff. I want to get rid of it.

Now, I'm obviously going to get an electrician in to do it (never touch anything to do with water, gas or leccy) but is it a big job?

If it's going to involve bashing the wall out to get at the wires behind it, which I suspect it will, it might be cheaper and easier just to replace the fitting with something more to my taste, but I would really prefer it gone.

Has anyone had similar done, and can give me an idea of cost/hassle?

does it come off the same lighting circuit as the ceiling lamps? If so, can the floor above be lifted to get at the cables in the ceiling?

Not 100% sure but I think so - will an electrician be able to check? Floor can be lifted - it's carpeted at the minute but will be replacing the carpets anyway.

Piglet John you are the DIY oracle,
I've 3 wall lamps in my hall I want to replace, is it a big job and will I need an electrician to do it? No overhead light and the 3 lights are all on the same switch, one at one end of hall another at the other. Wires are chased into wall already and it looks as if they've been changed before as there's a small hole peeking out the side of one of them. I'm confident in wiring plugs and basic electrics. Could I give it a go?
New lights havent arrived yet so I dont want to take the old ones to have a look at how they are wired.

It has its own light switch, so suspect it will be on the same circuit as the other lights, if that helps.

if he can disconnect the cable at its source (which will possibly be at a ceiling rose) then the cable becomes safe.

If it is an older house and the cable is run in conduit, or more recently, is under plastic capping, then he may be able to pull it out by taking up the floor directly above that part of the wall. This will also be safe.

A hidden or disused cable which is still live is not at all safe, because you are sure to put a nail or drill into it next time you hang a mirror on the wall.

ShebaRabbit

It is very preferable to have the cable terminate in a small box recessed into the wall, where the lamp can be connected to it in a block. Bits of cable poking out of the plaster are shoddy. You are permitted to change or add light fittings, switches and sockets yourself if you want to, though regulations are different in bathrooms. Look for a recent book in the library though, to see how to do it safely, or the big red Readers Digest or "Which" book which most charity shops will have. You must turn off the power at the consumer unit, and test for dead. This is a 3-step process. A neon screwdriver is not a test instrument and belongs in the bin. Picking up tips off the web is not enough.

Thanks so much PigletJohn, I'll have a proper look when the new lights arrive. I have the Readers Digest book somewhere so I'll dig it out. If I do anything at all electrical I always trip the main switch and double check for power.
You wouldn't believe the shoddy electrics in this house, cables running across bedroom floor under carpet, cracked sockets held together with sticky tape. The wiring is sound according to my surveyor but the previous owners did some funny DIY jobs.

Sorry for gatecrashing clashcity.

No worrries sheba

Thanks PigletJohn, so hopefully shouldn't be too big a job?