The average cost of installing outdoor lighting is $4,000. Your electrician will consider the type of lighting, the type of bulbs needed, and any additional wiring when crafting your quote.
The average electrician cost to install outdoor light is $4,000, though you will probably spend between $2,000 and $6,000. Depending on the type and number of lights, along with any wiring and landscaping needs, you could spend up to $15,000 or more on this project.
Outdoor lighting is an elegant addition to your outdoor space, adding charm to your landscaping and increasing your home’s security. However, electrical work can be tricky and dangerous, especially when installing an extensive outdoor lighting system. It’s best to hire a professional electrician for outdoor and landscape lighting installation.
For a seemingly simple project, there’s a lot of work that goes into installing outdoor lighting. Contracting with a professional electrician is the best way to ensure your lighting is installed correctly and that the electrical work is up to code for your area.
An electrician with a verified license also provides peace of mind. If any property damage occurs as a result of the installation, it won't be on your shoulders to foot the bill for repairs.
Outdoor and landscape lighting adds brightness and charm to your yard. Let’s take a look at the cost factors to consider when budgeting for your project, keeping in mind that an electrician near you can give you a personalized and detailed quote for your specific project.
You can spend anywhere from $50 to $500 or more per light fixture, depending on the type of outdoor lighting you choose. For example, pathway lights cost the least, while outdoor security lights cost the most on average.
Light bulbs cost anywhere from $0.50 to $35 each. The type of light bulb your outdoor lighting needs can largely impact the cost of the light fixture. Incandescent light bulbs are the lowest in price but have a lower lifespan than the other options, while high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs cost the most, have a long lifespan, and powerful lighting.
Here’s a breakdown of the different lightbulb types and their costs:
| Bulb Type | Average Cost Range | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) | $12–$40 | Use about 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer. |
| Halogen | $2–$5 | Many halogen lights are dimmable, giving you freedom to choose your brightness. |
| High-Intensity Discharge (HID) | $10–$35 | Provides a longer range of brightness than other bulb options. |
| Incandescent | $0.50–$5.00 | Often the most affordable option, but are energy inefficient. |
| Light-Emitting Diode (LED) | $0.70–$8.00 | Many color options are available to match your needs. |
The cost to hire an electrician falls between $50 and $100 per hour on average. Your pro electrician will likely provide an estimate based on the project size, type, complexity, and time commitment. Most electricians charge more for the first hour of labor than for subsequent hours, so anticipate spending at least $150 for that initial hour.
Wiring an outdoor light fixture costs between $2 and $4 per linear foot. Lighting that is located in difficult-to-reach areas or far away from the house will need more wiring and therefore has a higher labor and installation cost.
If you have a mature landscape, this can take longer for your pro to navigate around and install the necessary electrical wiring and lighting. With that in mind, you should anticipate spending more on outdoor light installation for busy yards with many trees, shrubs, hardscaping, and uneven terrain.
Digging a trench costs between $4 and $12 per linear foot. If you want to hide a new electrical cable, the best way to keep it out of sight is to dig a trench and bury the wire. Doing so, however, will add to the cost of your project. Labor for trench digging typically costs $5.75 per linear foot, so budget the additional labor expense into your project budget.
Most existing exterior light fixtures cost between $65 and $175 each to replace. Most new lights cost at least $20 for the materials, plus the labor cost of replacement by a professional electrician.
Let’s take a deep dive into the different prices you might encounter based on the type of outdoor light fixture.
| Type of Lighting | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Downlights | $100–$400 |
| Floodlights | $75–$250 |
| Outdoor Security Light | $350–$500 |
| Porch Lights | $75–$250 |
This type of lighting is recessed into the ceiling, which is perfect for an enclosed patio or screened-in porch. The cost to install downlights in your outdoor space is between $100 and $400 each. You’ll pay $250 on average for this type of installation. Downlights are installed high up on your home’s exterior or in a tree or other high structure.
Floodlights cost between $75 and $250 each or an average of $150 to install. This may include the pole installation, but you’ll want to check with your electrician before starting work. Floodlights typically go up high on a pole or home and shine a bright light onto the ground for security purposes. Motion-sensor floodlights will cost more, at an average cost of $425 for first-time installation.
A low-voltage landscape light costs anywhere from $100 to $150 or an average of $125. Due to the lower voltage, you’ll need an electrician to install a 12-volt transformer to reduce the load on your home’s electric supply and electric bill.
Outdoor security lights cost between $350 and $500 each or an average of $425 per light. Security lights have motion sensors that go off when an intruder—or even a sneaky raccoon—walks by and sets them off. This automated security feature shines a bright light that helps deter intruders.
You’ll pay $150 on average to install a porchlight, or between $75 and $250 each. You’ll spend more if you need to also have an electrician install an exterior power source to the porch lighting. However, you can avoid this expense by choosing solar-power porch lights.
Electrical work can be dangerous for those unfamiliar with the processes and safeguards involved. Small electrical projects like installing a new indoor light fixture is a great place for many DIYers to start learning about electrical work.
However, a DIY outdoor lighting installation project involves not only running a new electrical line, but there are also landscaping concerns, trenching, and concrete work involved. That’s why medium- to large-size outdoor lighting projects should be left to a local electrician. Hire a professional electrician to guarantee that your project is done safely, efficiently, and according to your plan.
Many landscape contractors can help you design the layout, placement, and plantings around your outdoor lighting, and some may even have an electrician on staff for projects like this. If they don’t have a staff electrician, though, most landscape lighting companies near you can refer you to an electrician they trust and who is familiar with outdoor lighting work.
Kristi Pahr contributed to this article.
Some outdoor lighting fixtures are easy to install, like solar pathway lights that don’t need connecting to your electrical system. However, other types of outdoor lighting can be challenging to install, especially if it’s part of a larger electrical system. It’s best to work with a trained electrician for high-voltage outdoor lighting. You might also want to work with a landscaper for installing lighting in high or hard-to-reach areas.
Installing outdoor lighting can increase your home’s value by up to $2,500. The average ROI on landscape lighting is around 50%, but how much your home increases depends on the market, the type of lighting, and whether you have a strong strategy for your landscaping lighting project. LED and solar lighting may offer the highest ROIs.
