Landscape Lighting Cost in 2026: What to Expect Cost in 2026: What to Expect
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Cost Breakdown by Tier
| Component | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $350 | $1,200 | $3,500 |
| Labor | $400 | $1,400 | $3,000 |
| Permits | $0 | $0 | $200 |
| Total | $750 | $2,800 | $7,500 |
Budget
Basic DIY-grade low-voltage path light kit (8-12 solar or plug-in fixtures), single transformer, minimal wire run. No design, no trenching.
Mid-Range
Professional low-voltage system: 12-16 LED fixtures (path, uplights, spotlights), quality transformer with timer, wire burial, basic design consultation.
Premium
Full low-voltage or line-voltage architectural system: 20+ fixtures with uplighting, path lights, deck lights, and accent lighting. Zone control, professional design, underground conduit.
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What Drives the Cost
Low-voltage vs. line-voltage systems
$500 - $3,000 differenceLow-voltage (12V) landscape lighting uses a transformer and is the most common choice for DIY and mid-range installs. Line-voltage (120V) systems require licensed electricians, conduit, and permits but deliver much higher brightness. Most residential installs use low-voltage; line-voltage is reserved for large properties or commercial-style lighting.
Number and type of fixtures
$65 - $400 per fixturePath lights run $20-$80 per fixture. Spotlights and uplights: $40-$120 each. In-ground well lights: $80-$200. Deck and step lights: $30-$80 each. Wall-mounted architectural fixtures: $100-$400. Labor to install each runs $50-$150 depending on how much wire needs to be buried.
Transformer size and features
$80 - $600A basic 150W transformer handles 8-10 fixtures and costs $80-$150. A 300W multi-zone transformer with photocell, timer, and Wi-Fi control costs $200-$400. If you're installing more than 15 fixtures, you'll likely need a 600W transformer at $300-$600. Transformer size directly limits how many fixtures you can add later.
Wire burial method
$150 - $800 additionalWire can be laid in a shallow trench (4-6 inches deep, code-compliant for low-voltage) using a flat spade or specialized burial tool. Professional trenching with a gas-powered tool runs faster but the equipment adds cost. Rocky or root-heavy soil significantly increases trenching labor.
Landscape complexity
$300 - $1,500 additionalFlat, open yards are straightforward to wire. Mature plantings, slopes, hardscape (patios, driveways), and irrigation systems all add complexity and time. Running wire under a driveway or walkway requires drilling or boring - add $200-$500 per crossing.
Cost by Material or Type
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Solar path lightsTemporary or accent use, renters, very sunny climates | $10-$40 per fixture |
| Low-voltage LED path lightsDriveways, walkways, garden borders - the workhouse of most systems | $20-$80 per fixture |
| Low-voltage LED spotlights/uplightsTrees, shrubs, architectural features, flagpoles | $40-$120 per fixture |
| In-ground well lightsDriveways, patios, under trees where ground-mount lights would be tripped over | $80-$200 per fixture |
| Deck and step lightsDeck stairs, retaining wall steps, raised garden beds | $25-$80 per fixture |
| String lights (bistro/café style)Patios, pergolas, outdoor dining areas | $20-$80 per 25-foot strand |
Regional Cost Variations
Labor rates and material costs vary significantly by region. Apply these multipliers to the national average to estimate costs in your area.
| Region | Adjustment | Est. Average |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | +15% to +25% | $3,680 - $4,000 |
| West Coast | +20% to +35% | $3,840 - $4,320 |
| Southeast | -15% to -8% | $2,720 - $2,944 |
| Midwest | -18% to -8% | $2,624 - $2,944 |
| Mountain West | +5% to +10% | $3,360 - $3,520 |
Timeline & What to Expect
DIY vs. Professional
Good for DIY
- Installing a low-voltage transformer on existing outdoor outlet
- Burying low-voltage wire in garden beds and lawn
- Installing path lights, spotlights, and uplights
- Aiming and adjusting fixture direction
- Programming transformer timer and photocell settings
Potential savings: $800-$2,000 on low-voltage systems
Hire a Pro
- Installing or extending outdoor electrical circuits (120V)
- Any line-voltage (120V) fixture installation
- Running conduit under hardscape
- Installing GFCI outdoor outlet for transformer power source if one doesn't exist
DIY feasibility: Partial
Risk warning: Low-voltage landscape lighting is one of the most accessible DIY electrical projects - 12V systems can't shock you meaningfully and don't require permits. The main failure modes are overloading the transformer (too many watts of fixtures), poor wire connections causing flickering, and burying wire too shallow where it gets cut by edging tools. Use quality waterproof wire connectors and bury wire at least 4-6 inches deep. Voltage drop over long wire runs reduces brightness at distant fixtures; use larger gauge wire (10 or 12 gauge) for runs over 100 feet.
How to Save Money
Start with a lower-wattage transformer than you think you need. You can always add a second transformer later at lower cost than replacing a transformer you sized wrong. Most 150W transformers handle 6-8 LED fixtures well.
Buy fixtures without the stake included (many manufacturers sell just the fixture head) when replacing existing lights - the stakes and wire are already buried.
Choose LED over halogen from the start. LED fixtures cost $5-$20 more per unit but use 75-80% less electricity and last 10x longer. The payback is under 2 years in most cases.
Do the trenching and wire burial yourself, hire a pro only for transformer installation and 120V work. Digging is unskilled labor and accounts for 20-30% of professional installation cost.
Bundle landscape lighting installation with other hardscape work (patio, walkway, driveway). Contractors often reduce labor rates when multiple trades visit the same job site.
Shop contractor-grade fixture suppliers like Unique Lighting, Kichler, or Vista instead of big-box store fixtures. The quality difference is significant and prices are comparable when buying 10+ fixtures.
Use one GFCI-protected circuit with a quality transformer rather than running separate circuits. A single 300W transformer can power 20+ LED fixtures cleanly.
Questions to Ask Your Contractor
“Will this system run on my existing outdoor outlet, or does it require a new circuit?”
Why this matters: Most low-voltage transformers plug into a standard GFCI outdoor outlet. If you don't have one where you need it, adding one costs $150-$300 and may require a permit. Know this upfront.
“What transformer size are you specifying, and how much capacity does that leave for expansion?”
Why this matters: A system at 90% of transformer capacity has no room to grow. A good installer specs a transformer at 70-80% load, leaving room for additional fixtures later.
“How deep will you bury the wire, and what gauge will you use?”
Why this matters: Shallow burial leads to cut wires during lawn care. Undersized wire causes voltage drop at far fixtures. Both are common cost-cutting shortcuts. Low-voltage wire should be buried 6 inches deep minimum.
“Are your fixtures weatherproof and what IP rating do they carry?”
Why this matters: Landscape fixtures need IP65 rating or better for in-ground exposure. Cheaper fixtures with inadequate weatherproofing fail within 2-3 seasons.
“How do you handle wire connections - twist connectors or compression fittings?”
Why this matters: Gel-filled compression connectors last 15+ years underground. Cheap twist-on connectors corrode and fail within a few years. This question tells you immediately how serious the installer is.
“Do you offer a warranty on labor and materials, and what does it cover?”
Why this matters: Landscape lighting problems often show up months after installation (corrosion, connection failures, fixture failures). A 1-2 year labor warranty indicates the contractor stands behind their work.
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Sources & Methodology
Cost data cross-referenced from multiple sources. See our full methodology for details on how we research and calculate costs.
- HomeAdvisor / Angi - Landscape Lighting Cost (2025)
- HomeGuide - Landscape Lighting Cost Guide (2025)
- Fixr - Outdoor Lighting Installation Cost (2025)
- This Old House - Landscape Lighting Cost (2024)
Quick Answer
National Average
$3,200
Typical Range
$1,500 - $6,500
Low End
$400
High End
$15,000
Cost Per per fixture installed
$65 - $400