How Much Does Landscape Lighting Cost?
How Much Does Landscape Lighting Cost?
How Much Does Landscape Lighting Cost?
Landscape lighting is typically between $5,000 and $10,000 per area you want to illuminate, though the price can be higher or lower depending on several factors. Things like the size of your home and property, the number of fixtures required, and the difficulty of placing lights all play a role in the final investment. If you’d like a better overview of what professional landscape lighting systems include, you can read more about our landscape lighting services here.
Lower-end projects (~$5,000)
Simple uplighting on the front of a home. Focused, clean, and effective.
Most common investment (~$8,000)
Front-of-home uplighting combined with path lights to improve both curb appeal and safety.
Higher-end or multi-area projects ($12,000–$15,000+)
Homes that want multiple areas illuminated—front elevation, trees, patios, or other features.
What Has the Biggest Impact on Landscape Lighting Cost?
Fixture Count (The Biggest Factor)
Fixture count is the number one driver of cost. High-quality fixtures typically range from $200 to over $500 per fixture installed, depending on type and application.
Property Conditions & Installation Difficulty
Soil type, the need to cross sidewalks or driveways, and working around existing landscaping all affect labor time. Running wiring without damaging hardscapes takes skill and time.
RGB vs Traditional Warm White Lighting
RGB lighting often nearly doubles the cost per fixture compared to a traditional 2700K warm white system, making it one of the largest pricing differentiators.
Why Professional Landscape Lighting Costs More
Fixture Quality
Cheaper fixtures may work initially, but they break. In a few years, homeowners are often left with a system full of failed lights.
Design Is an Art
Anyone can “throw lights around,” but placing each fixture to create the right mood and balance takes planning, experience, and time.
Professional Installation Practices
- Epoxy-filled heat-shrink connections
- Buried wiring
- Load testing each fixture
- Systems built to last years, not seasons
Real Landscape Lighting Projects (What They Actually Look Like)
Example 1: Pool & Patio Lighting (~$5,000)
- Rear stone patio in St. Marys
- Bistro lights over seating area (color-changing)
- Flood lights for arborvitae
- Simple install, minimal obstacles
Projects like this often fall into a broader category of outdoor living and patio lighting, where lighting is designed to make entertaining spaces usable and inviting after dark. You can see more examples of how this type of lighting works in our outdoor living lighting projects.
Example 2: Front-of-Home Safety Lighting (~$8,000)
- Previous system had caught fire
- Goal: safety, security, clean design
- Uplights + low-profile path lights
- Removal of old system included
- 16 fixtures, sidewalk crossing required
Example 3: Multi-Phase Property Design ($14,000 of a $25,000 plan)
Example 1: Pool & Patio Lighting (~$5,000)
- Rear stone patio in St. Marys
- Bistro lights over seating area (color-changing)
- Flood lights for arborvitae
- Simple install, minimal obstacles
Example 2: Front-of-Home Safety Lighting (~$8,000)
- Previous system had caught fire
- Goal: safety, security, clean design
- Uplights + low-profile path lights
- Removal of old system included
- 16 fixtures, sidewalk crossing required
Example 3: Multi-Phase Property Design ($14,000 of a $25,000 plan)
Example 1: Pool & Patio Lighting (~$5,000)
- Rear stone patio in St. Marys
- Bistro lights over seating area (color-changing)
- Flood lights for arborvitae
- Simple install, minimal obstacles
Example 2: Front-of-Home Safety Lighting (~$8,000)
- Previous system had caught fire
- Goal: safety, security, clean design
- Uplights + low-profile path lights
- Removal of old system included
- 16 fixtures, sidewalk crossing required
Example 3: Multi-Phase Property Design ($14,000 of a $25,000 plan)
- Front elevation, trees, future rear expansion
- 17 uplights, 4 tree feature lights, 4 path lights
- Sidewalk + driveway crossings
- Special risers used to clear bushes
- Transformer capacity built for future expansion
How Long Does Professional Landscape Lighting Last?
- Fixtures & transformers: lifetime warranty
- LED lamps: rated for ~10 years
- Maintenance is mostly preventative:
- Cleaning lenses
- Re-aiming fixtures
- Voltage testing
Most common repairs come from landscaper damage—and those are usually easy fixes.
Is Landscape Lighting Right for You?
Landscape lighting isn’t just a security light that turns on when someone walks by.
It’s for homeowners who want their home to look just as beautiful at night as it does during the day.
If you’re on a tight budget, or looking for a quick DIY solution, professional lighting may not be the right fit. Box-store systems often fail early and cause long-term frustration.
A Simple Way to Decide
Look out your window during the day—what do you notice?
Now look out the same window at night.
Most of the time, it’s just a black mirror.
If you want your living space to feel larger, more connected, and enjoyable year-round, landscape lighting often matters more than people initially realize.
If you’re curious what areas of your property could benefit most from lighting, a professional consultation can help map out options and budget before making any decisions. If you’d like to take that next step, you can schedule a lighting consultation here.
If you want to learn more about Landscape Lighting CLICK HERE to go back to our Lighting Guide Hub.
