Reviewed by Lee Gundenswager (Lead Electrician, Connex Lic #92217) and Darren Standring (Owner). Last updated 2026-08-18.
“How much does emergency lighting cost?” is the first question most building owners ask — and the honest answer is: it depends on your building. There is no single price, because emergency lighting is quoted on the number of fittings, the building layout, and whether it is a new installation, an upgrade, or ongoing testing. This guide explains exactly what drives the cost so you can budget with confidence, and how Connex prices it: a fixed price up front after a free assessment, with no surprises.
The three things you might be paying for
Emergency lighting costs fall into three separate jobs. Knowing which one you need is the first step to understanding the price:
- New installation — supplying and installing emergency lights and exit signs in a building that has none, or extending coverage into a new fit-out or extension.
- Upgrade or repair — replacing failed, legacy or non-compliant fittings (for example swapping old fluorescent exit signs for LED), or fixing fittings that failed their test.
- 6-monthly testing — the ongoing compliance service required under AS/NZS 2293.2, usually priced per visit based on the number of fittings.
What drives the price of a new installation
- Number of fittings — the single biggest factor. More emergency lights and exit signs means more hardware and more labour. Coverage is set by the NCC and your building layout, not guesswork.
- Type of fittings — standard LED emergency lights are the most economical; specialised or architectural fittings, spitfire/recessed types, and high-output units cost more.
- Building layout and access — high ceilings, hard ceilings, long cable runs, and difficult access all add labour.
- New wiring vs existing circuits — running new cabling to fittings costs more than working with accessible existing circuits.
- Switchboard and monitoring — larger systems may need dedicated sub-circuits or a central monitoring/test system, which adds cost but simplifies future testing.
What drives the cost of testing
Ongoing 6-monthly testing is usually the most predictable cost. It is generally priced on the number of fittings tested and the time on site, since each fitting must be individually discharge-tested for its full rated duration and logged. Buildings with a central monitoring system can be faster to test. Connex quotes testing as a fixed per-visit price so it is easy to budget across the year, and we track your due dates so you never miss a required test.
Why we don’t publish a flat price online
Some sites quote a single “from” figure for emergency lighting, but for a compliance system that can mislead — a five-fitting shopfront and a fifty-fitting warehouse are completely different jobs. Rather than quote a number that may not apply to your building, Connex assesses your site for free and gives you a fixed, itemised price up front, so you know exactly what you are paying and what you are getting. No hourly surprises, no vague estimates.
How to keep costs down
- Fix compliance early — bringing a building up to standard before an inspection or sale is cheaper than a rushed job under pressure.
- Upgrade to LED — modern LED fittings use less power and fail their tests far less often, cutting long-term maintenance and replacement costs.
- Stay on a testing schedule — regular 6-monthly testing catches a failing battery early, before it becomes a full fitting replacement.
- Bundle the work — installing, upgrading and setting up your testing schedule in one visit is more economical than separate call-outs.
Get a fixed-price quote
The only accurate way to know what your building’s emergency lighting will cost is a proper assessment. Connex offers a free on-site assessment and fixed-price quote across North Brisbane and Moreton Bay — installation, upgrades, repairs and 6-monthly testing. Licensed QLD Electrical Contractor #92217, $20M public liability, lifetime workmanship guarantee.
Call 0474 207 609 or book online for your free emergency lighting quote.
Emergency Lighting Cost — Frequently Asked Questions
How much does emergency lighting cost in Brisbane?
There is no single price — emergency lighting is quoted on the number of fittings, your building layout, and whether it is a new installation, an upgrade, or ongoing testing. A small shopfront with a few fittings is a very different job from a large warehouse. Connex assesses your building free and gives a fixed, itemised price up front, so you know exactly what you are paying with no hourly surprises.
What does the price of emergency lighting depend on?
The main factors are the number of emergency lights and exit signs (set by the NCC and your building layout), the type of fittings, building access and ceiling height, whether new wiring is needed, and whether the job is a new install, an upgrade, or a repair. Ongoing testing is priced separately, usually per fitting per visit.
How much does emergency light testing cost?
6-monthly testing is generally priced on the number of fittings and time on site, because each fitting is individually discharge-tested for its full rated duration and recorded in the log book. Connex quotes testing as a fixed per-visit price so it is easy to budget, and tracks your due dates so you never miss a required test.
Why don’t you publish a flat price for emergency lighting?
Because a single ‘from’ figure can mislead — a five-fitting shopfront and a fifty-fitting warehouse are completely different jobs. Rather than quote a number that may not apply to your building, Connex gives a free assessment and a fixed, itemised price up front so it is accurate for your site.
Is a quote for emergency lighting free?
Yes. Connex provides a free on-site assessment and a fixed-price quote for emergency lighting installation, upgrades, repairs and testing across North Brisbane and Moreton Bay. You will know the full price before any work starts.
How can I reduce my emergency lighting costs?
Fix compliance before an inspection or sale rather than under pressure, upgrade old fittings to LED (they use less power and fail testing less often), stay on a regular 6-monthly testing schedule to catch failing batteries early, and bundle installation, upgrades and testing setup into one visit.