Key takeaways
- Fixture quality, count and wire runs drive the price
- Trenching and hardscape affect labor
- Controls and extras add to the total
- Planning ranges are not quotes
Fixtures and quality
Fixtures range from basic plastic to solid brass and copper. Higher-quality fixtures cost more up front, resist corrosion and look better for many years. LED fixtures cost more than old halogen, but use a fraction of the power.
The number of fixtures matters too, as does the mix: path lights, uplights, wash lights and specialty fixtures all have different prices.
Installation and wire
Trenching, wire length, obstacles like drives and patios, access and soil all affect labor. Houses with finished hardscape and mature gardens take longer than new construction with open trenches.
Transformer size and number of zones add to the equipment cost, and good waterproof connections matter more than they look.
Controls and extras
Timers, photocells, smart controls and scenes add to the price. So do color-changing fixtures, moonlighting in tall trees and special fixtures for water features.
Our Cost Estimator shows how choices change a planning range, and a written estimate gives the real number.
Related services
Quick answers
Does a bigger yard always cost more?
Usually, but the number of features matters more than the area. A small yard with many specimen trees and steps can cost more than a large open lawn.
Is cheaper lighting worth it?
Low-priced fixtures can fade, crack and corrode within a few years. Better fixtures cost more up front and often cost less over time.
Ready to talk it through? Get a free estimate or call 615-431-3789.