How Much Does It Cost to Install Motion Sensor Lights?
Normal range: $350 - $500
Installing motion sensor lights costs an average of $425, but can range between $350 and $500, depending on the type and the power source.
The average cost to install a motion-sensor light is around $425 for first-time installation. However, depending on the motion-sensor light, ease of access to install the light, and the type of motion-sensor light, you could end up paying anywhere from $350 to $500.
- Average
- $425
- Low end
- $200
- high end
- $800
Cost to Install Motion-Sensor Lights by Type
There are different types of motion-sensor lights, from decorative to those that double as security cameras, and each comes with its own price point.
Motion-Sensor Outdoor Spotlight Installation
Motion-sensor spotlights shine beams in one direction, similar to the spotlight you’d see at a play or show. The average cost of a motion-sensor spotlight is around $40 and comes out to be around $200 after installation fees. Depending on how large and how bright the light is, you may pay anywhere from $15 to $65 for the light and $50 to $250 for labor.
Rather than being as dialed in and only showing a small circle, these spotlights tend to spread out a little more and illuminate a single direction. These lights are useful for areas of the home where there’s not a lot of visibility from the front of the home, which typically includes the side of the house near the garage or trash cans.
Motion-Sensor Floodlight Installation
Motion-sensor flood lights will cost anywhere from $30 to $400, while the total cost after installation ranges from $250 to $600. Most people tend to think of the floodlight as the traditional motion-sensor outdoor light. These lights are actually a combination of smaller lights pointed in several directions that light up a much larger area than what spotlights offer.
Decorative Motion-Sensor Lights
Who says you need to install large and unsightly motion-sensor lights to keep your home safe? There are plenty of options for decorative motion-sensor lights out there that blend in well with other outdoor lighting fixtures. On average, expect to pay around $40 to $110 for only the light and around $250 to $350 after factoring in labor. The only difference between decorative lights and other floodlights you need to be aware of is the fact that they’ll likely not be as bright.
Smart Motion-Sensor Lights
Two of the best ways to elevate the security of your home are to install outdoor lighting and security cameras. Smart motion-sensor lights combine these two security features into one. You can expect to pay around $100 to $300 per light. Factoring in installation, you’re looking at a final cost of around $200 to $500.
These smart lights will also send you alerts based on your preferences, ranging from every time the lights go off to only when the camera detects something on the screen.
Motion-Sensor Light Installation Cost Breakdown
You can customize your motion-sensor lights by choosing the type of bulb you want and even how the motion-sensor activates. You’ll also need to consider how these lights receive power.
Light Bulb Type
While you may know of LED and incandescent light bulbs, there are plenty of other types of light bulbs on the market. Depending on the type of light bulb you go for, your motion-sensor light will hike or drop the price accordingly. Common light bulbs for motion-sensor lights include:
| Light Bulb Type | Cost per Light Bulb |
|---|---|
| Fluorescent | $2 – $15 |
| Halogen | $3 – $12 |
| Compact fluorescent lights (CFL) | $3 – $15 |
| LED | $5 – $50 |
| High-intensity discharge (HID) | $10 – $30 |
Labor
When you’re installing anything electrical, you should call in a pair of trustworthy hands by hiring a local licensed electrician or outdoor light fixture installer. The cost of hiring an electrician for this job ranges from $50 to $150 per hour.
Sensor Type
Like lightbulbs, there are a plethora of sensors on the market that you can choose from for your motion-sensor lights. These will range from simple microwave or vibration sensors to as fancy as remote or tomographic sensors. The cost of different types of sensors and light fixtures will range from:
| Sensor Type | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Microwave | $30 – $50 |
| Vibration | $30 – $50 |
| Passive infrared | $30 – $100 |
| Automatic | $30 – $100 |
| Ultrasonic | $40 – $100 |
| Area reflective | $40 – $100 |
| Duel sensors | $50 – $300 |
| Remote sensors | $50 – $500 |
| Tomographic | $300 – $1,000 |
Power Source
There are three main types of power delivery out there, hardwired power delivery, battery-powered, and solar-powered. Each has its own pros and cons and you should consider everything from how much maintenance you prefer and where exactly you want the motion-sensor light.
Here’s a quick rundown of each power source’s costs:
Hardwired: $15–$200 per light
Battery-powered: $20–$100 per light
Solar-powered: $25–$300 per light
Upgrades and Special Features
Don’t want your dog setting off your lights when they’re outback for a potty break? Or maybe you want the option to turn on the light and adjust the settings as you see fit. Regardless of the special feature, it’s going to increase costs.
Expect to pay these prices for upgrades:
Pet sensitivity: $15–$40 extra
Floodlight arcs: $50–$100 extra
Custom settings: $50–$200 extra
Cost to Install Motion-Sensor Lights Yourself
If you’re familiar with a drill and the different bits that come with it, you may have the option to install battery-powered or solar-powered lights yourself. You should not attempt to install hardwired motion-sensor lights yourself, as you run the risk of shocking yourself.
By installing these motion-sensor lights yourself, you’re looking at paying around $150 to $300 on average, or around $50 to $150 in labor savings. Tools you’d likely need for this installation include:
Drill: $80–$200
Proper drill bit: $5–$15
8-foot ladder: $100–$200
Hammer: $5–$20
Screw anchors: $1–$5 for a pack
A good friend to help you out: Priceless
Cost to Install Motion-Sensor Lights Yourself vs. Hiring a Qualified Professional
The cost of installing motion-sensor lights yourself runs about $225 on average (if you don’t have to buy supplies). While the cost of hiring a qualified outdoor lighting company will sit around $425. A potential $200 in savings is appealing, but you are taking the risk of not setting up the equipment correctly and even damaging your home if not installed properly.
If it’s a battery-powered or solar-powered motion-sensor light in an easy-to-install area such as a porch or deck, you could consider installing these yourself.
If it’s hardwired or in a hard-to-install area such as a 2-story home or garage, it’s best to leave this job to the professionals.
How to Save Money When Installing Motion-Sensor Lights
There are several ways to save money on motion-sensor lights that don’t necessarily involve going for lower-cost options. One of the best ways is to install the motion-sensor light where a previous light is or once was. These areas already have the majority of the wiring set up and won’t require much extra work.
Another way is to contact your home security company to see if they have any options available that you can add to your monthly fee rather than footing the entire cost upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Motion-sensor lights use one watt while on standby and five watts while turned on. They’re usually on for one hour over a 24-hour period, bringing the total wattage to about 28 watts per day. LED lights use around 6.5 to 8 watts while on. If you leave an LED light on all night, with night ranging from 10 to 14 hours, you’re looking at using 65 to 112 watts a night. You can minimally cut your wattage in half by switching to a motion-sensor light.
Yes, animals can trigger motion-sensor lights. In fact, this is a reason why some homeowners install motion-sensor lights, to catch sneaky little critters looking through the rubbish for a midnight snack. There are sensitivities to animal detection though, so you may want to look for an option that avoids animal detection as much as possible.
Using lighting controls on motion-sensor lights allows you to set the brightness, how long the light stays on, and on the luxurious end, even where to aim the light. However, these controls are considered a premium, so prepare to pay at least an extra $50.
The majority of potential burglars are amateurs looking to make a quick buck after breaking and entering. By installing motion-sensor lights, alarm systems, and security cameras, throughout the home, there’s a good chance you will deter crime on your property.