Outdoor Lighting Cost Estimator
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How it works
Landscape lighting is priced per fixture installed: $150–250 for good-quality pro work, $75–120 DIY. A typical front-yard project (15–20 fixtures) lands at $2,500–5,000 professionally installed.
Fixture grade is the quality fork: brass/copper ($200+ each) lasts decades and patinas beautifully; aluminum ($100ish) is the value sweet spot; plastic ($45) gets you 3–5 years before sun-rot. Pros overwhelmingly install brass — callbacks are expensive.
Go low-voltage LED: safe to DIY, cheap to run (a 20-fixture LED system uses less power than one old floodlight), and warm 2700K color looks like moonlight instead of a parking lot.
Frequently asked questions
How much does landscape lighting cost?
$150–250 per fixture professionally installed; $75–120 DIY. A 15-fixture front yard: $2,500–4,000 pro, $1,200–2,000 DIY.
Low voltage vs line voltage?
Low-voltage (12V): safe, DIY-friendly, no conduit needed, cheap to run with LEDs. Line-voltage (120V): brighter for large trees, but needs an electrician, permits and conduit.
What color temperature looks best?
2700K warm white — it mimics moonlight and flatters plants and stone. Avoid 5000K+ "daylight" outdoors; it looks harsh and clinical.
How many lights do I need?
Rule of thumb: path lights every 6–8 ft, one uplight per feature tree, deck lights on every 3rd post/riser. Less is more — over-lighting kills the effect.
Do I need a transformer?
Yes for low-voltage systems — it steps 120V down to 12V. Size it 20% above your total wattage. Multi-tap transformers balance brightness on long runs.
What does it cost to run?
Almost nothing with LEDs: 20 fixtures × 5W × 6 hrs = 0.6 kWh/day, roughly $3–5/month. Old halogen systems cost 5–8x more to run — retrofit them.
Can I install it myself?
Low-voltage, yes — it is genuinely beginner-friendly: lay cable in shallow trenches, connect with waterproof connectors, plug in the transformer. No permit needed in most areas.
How long do fixtures last?
Brass/copper: 20+ years. Aluminum: 10–15. Plastic/composite: 3–5. LEDs: 25,000–50,000 hours (10+ years of nightly use).
Will it bother neighbors?
Keep beams aimed down or at features, use shields and glare guards, and put everything on a timer (off by 11pm–midnight). Dark-sky-friendly fixtures are a plus.
Does it add home value?
Curb appeal value more than appraised value — listings with evening photos sell the dream. Expect partial cost recovery plus faster buyer interest.