How Much Does Landscape Lighting Cost to Install? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $2,000 - $6,000
Installing landscape lighting costs an average of $4,000, but your actually cost will vary based on the type and number of lights, labor costs, and the light location.
Outdoor lighting is one part safety and one part curb appeal—but you don’t need a lot to make a big impact. Most homeowners spend anywhere from $1,500 to $7,500 on landscape lighting costs, with an average price tag of about $4,000. But budget-friendly DIY options do exist. It all depends on the look you’re hoping to achieve, whether it’s a few simple strands of bistro lights or extensive uplighting that showcases shrubbery or water features. This guide will illuminate the cost of landscape lighting so you can plan your budget.
- Average
- $4,000
- Low end
- $1,500
- high end
- $7,500
Landscape Lighting Cost Factors
Landscaping lighting has such a large range of potential prices because every project is different. Some involve exploring basic exterior home lighting ideas, while others require trenching and extensive electrical work. Here are some factors that will impact your overall budget.
Labor
A whole team of professionals contributes to a great landscape lighting design. The three primary players are:
Landscape designers to oversee the project
Electricians to safely connect the lighting to your home's system
Landscapers to alter the living elements of your lawn to match the lighting
Landscape designers charge between $50 and $100 per hour and will often offer a flat fee for the entire design. Electricians will also charge between $50 and $100 per hour, and individual charges include tasks such as the cost to install an outdoor outlet for about $230 or the cost to lay wiring for between $3 and $5 per linear foot.
Last but not least, you'll need to calculate the cost of a landscaper for around $50 to $100 per hour. Landscapers will reconstruct areas of turf disrupted by laying wiring and collaborate with lighting designers to add focal pieces around your new lights.
Location
You’ll spend more installing landscape lighting in hard-to-reach or inaccessible areas, in part because it may take longer to wire and your contractor may have to use special equipment. For example, it’ll cost less to install a porch light that plugs right into an exterior outlet than it will to hard-wire a fixture on a tree nowhere near an exterior power source.
Number of Light Fixtures
Lighting is typically priced by the fixture, which means the more lighting you work into your landscape design, the more it’s going to cost. It’ll always cost less to light a specific area, like a patio, than it will to light an entire property.
Type of Light Fixture
There are all different types of light fixtures, and the one you choose will have a big impact on your overall price. Pathway lights are typically the least expensive at around $50 to $150, while lamp posts can cost as much as $1,000 each. Keep in mind that if you need several pathway lights, you could end up spending more than you would on a lamppost or two.
Power Source
Technology today offers a range of options for powering and maintaining your landscape lighting system. Some of the most common landscape lighting problems stem back to incorrect or unreliable power sources—yet another reason it's crucial to bring in a professional for this leg of the project.
Solar
Solar and hard-wired lights cost the same amount per fixture, but installation prices and running costs will vary dramatically. Solar lights cost less because your electrician won’t have to run wires or install an exterior power source since they run on solar power. They also cost nothing to run since they don’t consume household electricity.
Wiring
Unless you’re installing solar lights, your contractor will likely need to do some electrical work. The cost really depends on how far your lights are from your house. The greater the distance, the more it’s going to cost. Generally, expect to spend around $3 to $5 per linear foot on electrical wiring. If needed, a new subpanel costs about $400 to $1,750.
Battery-Operated
Your largest DIY opportunity when adding outdoor lighting includes battery-operated fixtures. You'll pay between $50 and $100 per lighting fixture and ongoing fees to update the batteries. This route is not as ideal for outdoor lights that you require for safety, such as along your walking paths or defensive lighting on the garage. However, battery-operated lights can add plenty of whimsy to holiday and decorative porch lighting.
Digging and Trenching
Depending on your landscape lighting design, you may need to run electrical wires underground. This doesn’t just have a cleaner look. It also protects the wires and makes the area safer. In this case, your contractor needs to dig trenches. The cost to run underground electrical service is around $8 per square foot.
Existing Landscaping
If you already have an existing landscape design, adding outdoor lighting tends to cost a little bit more. Your contractor will have to wire around existing greenery and hardscaping. If there’s damage to the landscaping, then they’ll have to repair it once the lighting is installed. This raises costs because it takes more time.
Installing Outlets
As we touched on above, installing an outdoor outlet costs between $150 and $300, or an average of $230. Costs depend on additional wiring, outlet covers, panel upgrades, and more. Labor, in this case, accounts for between $40 and $100 of the total cost, though hiring a professional when handling electricity—particularly outdoors—is a must.
Cost to Install Landscaping Lighting by Type
The type of lighting is one of the biggest cost factors. Some fixtures have more complicated installations, while others are generally purchased as a group. For example, you can install a single floodlight, but you’ll probably need multiple pathway lights. Here are some common price ranges, including professional installation.
| Type of Fixture | Average Cost Range | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pathway lights | $50 – $150 | $100 |
| String lights | $50 – $150 | $100 |
| Low-voltage lights | $90 – $150 | $120 |
| Porch lights | $65 – $250 | $160 |
| Floodlights | $75 – $250 | $160 |
| Downlights | $100 – $400 | $250 |
| Uplights | $100 – $400 | $250 |
| Security lights | $350 – $500 | $425 |
| Lamp posts | $400 – $1,000 | $700 |
| Holiday lights | $220 – $660 | $440 |
Ongoing Landscape Lighting Costs to Consider
Though your landscape lighting might shine bright for months or even years after installation, eventually your light bulbs will start to burn out. It’s important to plan for long-term maintenance and usage costs. Here’s what you can expect.
Cost per Bulb
The type of light bulb generally doesn’t have a huge impact on the price of installation, but costs can add up when you start replacing old bulbs. Keep in mind that different bulbs have different life spans. You may end up spending more replacing inexpensive incandescent bulbs that burn out quickly than purchasing a more expensive LED bulb.
| Bulb Type | Average Life Span in Hours | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Incandescent | 750 – 1,000 | $0.50 – $5 |
| Halogen | 2,000 – 4,000 | $2 – $5 |
| HID | 7,500 – 20,000 | $10 – $35 |
| CFL | 8,000 – 20,000 | $12 – $40 |
| LED | 25,000 – 50,000 | $0.70 – $8 |
Cost to Replace Outdoor Lighting
If you need to replace exterior fixtures that have worn down over time, a local outdoor lighting repair service will typically charge around $65 to $75 per hour for the labor. This doesn’t include the cost of the fixture. The cost to install a single fixture could be anywhere from $150 to $1,000.
Electricity Costs
Installing outdoor lighting will increase your home’s electricity costs unless you choose solar lighting. High-efficiency models will help reduce overall spending. For example, one of the main benefits of LED bulbs is the fact that they use 25% of the energy used by incandescent bulbs. Other high-efficiency options include CFL bulbs and high-efficiency incandescent bulbs.
Cost to Install Landscape Lighting Yourself
It’s never a good idea to attempt electrical work on your own, as it has the potential to be dangerous. There’s a reason most areas require a licensed local electrician to obtain a permit before altering your home’s electricity. That said, you can install outdoor lighting on your own as long as you choose a solar option (which doesn’t require electrical work) or lighting that plugs into an existing outdoor outlet. In this case, you’ll just have to pay for the fixture.
If you install your own outdoor lighting, you’ll end up saving around $65 to $75 per hour on labor costs, but this isn’t an option for lighting that requires electrical work. If your lighting design is more complicated than plugging in a few strands of bistro lights, you should hire a local landscape lighting company.
Tips to Reduce Landscape Lighting Costs
You don’t always need a big budget for gorgeous outdoor lighting, especially if you’re willing to get creative with a DIY solution. These bright ideas will help you tighten your budget.
Choose a Design That Works With Your Existing Landscaping
Retrofitting your lighting is never the wallet-friendly way. The simplest way to save is to work with your existing landscaping. Don’t install lights that need trenching through a retaining wall or require you to dig up your garden. If you’re planning to work with a local landscape designer, have them work lighting into their plans beforehand.
Focus Lighting on Necessary Areas
The more lights, the more your project is going to cost. If you need to cut down your budget, consider only lighting a few key areas. Think of function and form. For example, nix the decorative uplighting on your favorite trees, but keep the path lighting that illuminates the walkway to your front door.
Choose Simple DIY Options
There are ways to install DIY landscape lighting on a budget. Solar lights or plug-and-play options (if you have an existing exterior outlet) generally cost less than $200 a piece. In fact, you can get a package of a few solar pathway lights that stake right into your lawn for less than $50.
Hire a Landscaper Instead of an Electrician
Electricians generally cost more than landscapers, so you can shave off some labor costs by choosing a design that doesn’t require electrical work. You will need to hire an electrician to install an exterior outlet, but a local landscaper can plug in lighting or install solar lighting. Similarly, you won’t need an electrician to replace bulbs, but you will need one to reroute or run wires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Landscape lighting is so expensive because of its durability requirements. These fixtures often come with lifetime warranties that must stand up to extreme temperatures, rain, and snow. As a result, they’re crafted from extra-sturdy materials like cast brass and have water-resistant wiring. This generally costs more to make and install than your average indoor light.
The average low-voltage landscaping fixture costs approximately $120 to install, but most people install multiple fixtures. Expect to spend somewhere around $1,000 in total for a six-fixture project. Low-voltage lighting is a popular option because it poses less of a risk of electrical shock. It also doesn’t pose a hazard when it rains. In addition, you may also need to install a 12-volt transformer.
Certain landscaping features increase your home’s value, but don’t bank too much on landscape lighting. According to the National Association of Realtors, landscape lighting adds around $2,500 to the value of your home. Expect around a 50% return on investment, with LED lights racking up the largest returns.