Landscape Lighting FAQs

Updated October 2026 · By Spencer Freiman, founder of Outdoor Lighting Concepts

Answers to the questions homeowners ask us most. For detailed pricing, see our landscape lighting cost guide.

How much does landscape lighting cost?

Most Outdoor Lighting Concepts projects run $3,000 to $7,000. Nationally, most homeowners pay about $2,000 to $6,000 for a professionally installed low-voltage LED landscape lighting system, with national averages around $3,250 to $3,500. Installed fixtures typically run $100 to $350 each depending on fixture type and quality, and large estate designs can exceed $10,000. Final price depends mostly on fixture count and fixture material.

How much does landscape lighting cost per fixture?

Nationally, installed fixtures usually cost $100 to $350 each, including the fixture, lamp, wire and a share of the transformer. Path lights are often the least expensive and well lights the most. Solid brass or copper professional fixtures in Florida and Texas markets commonly run $250 to $450 installed because the material lasts far longer.

Is LED or halogen better for landscape lighting?

LED is the better choice for nearly every system today. Quality LED lamps last roughly 25,000 to 50,000 hours, about 10 to 15 years of nightly use, while halogen lamps last about 2,000 to 4,000 hours and need replacing every year or so. LED also uses far less electricity and runs cooler.

What is low-voltage landscape lighting?

Low-voltage landscape lighting uses a transformer to step household 120-volt power down to 12 volts. The 12-volt cable is safe to bury in shallow trenches around plants, walkways and water features. It is the standard for residential landscape lighting because it is safer, flexible to adjust and easier to expand than line-voltage lighting.

How much does it cost to run LED landscape lights each month?

Very little. A typical 100-watt LED system running six hours a night uses about 18 kWh a month, roughly $3 to $4 at common electricity rates. A larger 150-watt system costs about $4 to $6 a month. A transformer only draws the wattage of the fixtures actually connected, not its full rating.

What size transformer do I need for landscape lighting?

Add up the wattage of every fixture you plan to connect, then choose a transformer rated above that total with roughly 20 to 30 percent headroom for future fixtures. In hot climates, loading a transformer to about 60 to 70 percent of capacity helps prevent heat-related failure.

How long does landscape lighting last?

A professionally installed system with solid brass or copper fixtures and sealed connections commonly lasts 10 to 20 years or more. LED lamps last about 10 to 15 years. Inexpensive aluminum or plastic big-box fixtures often fail within two to three years, especially in coastal humidity and Texas heat.

How often does landscape lighting need maintenance?

Plan on professional service at least once a year, and twice a year for coastal properties, heavy irrigation or fast-growing plants. A tune-up should clean lenses, re-aim fixtures around new growth, check connections and transformer voltage, reset timers and re-bury exposed cable. Do a quick visual check for dark fixtures monthly.

Can I control landscape lighting with my phone?

Yes. Many modern transformers include a timer and photocell, and app-controlled or smart-home controllers can switch zones, set schedules and dim lights from a phone. Upgrading to app control typically adds about $100 to $300 when it is not built into the transformer.

Should I use a timer, photocell or smart controller?

A photocell turns lights on at dusk automatically, a timer turns them off after a set number of hours, and a smart controller adds phone control, zones and seasonal schedules. Most homeowners are best served by a photocell-plus-timer combination at minimum, with smart control if they want separate scenes for the front yard, back yard and pool.

What is the difference between uplighting, downlighting and path lighting?

Uplighting places fixtures at ground level aimed upward to highlight trees, palms and architecture. Downlighting, or moonlighting, mounts fixtures high in trees or eaves to cast soft, natural light downward. Path lighting uses short fixtures along walkways and drives for safe navigation. A good design layers all three rather than lighting everything evenly.

How many lights does a palm tree need?

A single-trunk palm usually needs one adjustable uplight placed about 18 to 24 inches from the base and aimed up the trunk into the fronds. Use two fixtures when the palm is seen from several sides or has a wide canopy, and roughly one fixture per trunk for multi-trunk palms.

How many fixtures does a typical home need?

Most homes use 10 to 20 fixtures for a complete front-yard design, while a focused entry-and-trees package may use 6 to 10. Large properties with pools, patios, docks and backyard trees often need 25 or more. Good design is selective: a few well-placed lights usually look better than many evenly spaced ones.

Is professional landscape lighting worth it compared to DIY?

DIY kits cost about $150 to $800 and can work for a small, simple yard. Professional installation costs more but includes design, nighttime aiming, properly sized transformers, buried cable and durable brass or copper fixtures that last for years. Pros are worth it for long wire runs, multiple zones, hardscape or coastal conditions.

Do I need a permit for landscape lighting?

Plug-in low-voltage landscape lighting usually does not need a permit, but adding a new outdoor outlet or circuit is electrical work that typically requires a licensed electrician and a permit. Rules vary by city. For example, Tamarac, Florida requires a permit for landscape lighting unless it plugs into an existing outlet.

What landscape lighting fixtures hold up in salt air?

Choose solid brass, copper, bronze or 316 marine-grade stainless steel fixtures near the coast. Avoid powder-coated aluminum, plated steel and zinc die-cast “brass finish” fixtures, which pit, peel and corrode quickly. Pair good fixtures with silicone seals, UV-stable lenses and gel-filled waterproof wire connectors.

How do I protect landscape lighting during a hurricane?

Before a storm, unplug the transformer, trim dead or weak branches and secure loose objects that could become debris. Transformers should be mounted well above grade, at least 12 to 18 inches and ideally higher, because they are not flood-proof. After flooding, have the system inspected before switching it back on.

Are there rules for landscape lighting near the beach in Florida?

Yes. Many Florida coastal counties and cities have sea turtle lighting ordinances. In Palm Beach County, new exterior lighting within 600 feet of the beach needs a sea turtle protection lighting plan and must be shielded, downward-directed and use long-wavelength amber light. Broward cities restrict beach-visible lighting from March 1 through October 31.

Does landscape lighting improve home security?

Yes. Lighting walkways, entries, dark corners and the perimeter removes hiding spots, makes it easier to see who is at the door and makes a home look occupied. Well-designed landscape lighting improves security without the harsh glare of floodlights by layering path, accent and wash lighting.

Can landscape lighting be installed around pools and docks?

Yes, but fixtures near water need wet-location or submersible ratings and salt-resistant materials such as solid brass, copper or 316 stainless steel. Low-voltage systems are preferred around water for safety. Dock and seawall lighting in Florida should also respect sea turtle and manatee-area lighting rules where they apply.

Do you offer commercial and HOA landscape lighting?

Yes. Commercial and HOA lighting covers entrance monuments, signage, common-area trees, walkways and parking edges. These projects typically use multiple transformers, zoned controls and a scheduled maintenance plan so lights stay aimed and working. Outdoor Lighting Concepts designs, installs and maintains commercial and community systems across our service areas.

Does Texas heat affect landscape lighting?

Yes. High summer heat shortens the life of cheap aluminum fixtures and electronic transformers, and sprinkler mineral scale degrades finishes. In Austin, powder-coated aluminum fixtures often fail within three to six years, so professionals use solid brass or copper fixtures and size transformers with headroom so they run cooler.

Can I add more lights to my system later?

Usually yes. Low-voltage systems are modular, so new zones can be added if the transformer has spare capacity, or by adding a second transformer. Adding a 4 to 8 fixture zone to an existing Austin-area system typically runs about $1,200 to $3,000. Sizing the transformer with headroom from the start makes expansion easier.

How long does landscape lighting installation take?

Most installs take 1 to 2 days, depending on the size of the project. Each system is finished with a nighttime aiming session so every fixture is adjusted after dark. Larger estate or commercial projects with multiple zones, trenching under hardscape or tree-mounted moonlighting may take longer.

Do you offer a free landscape lighting consultation or demo?

Yes. Outdoor Lighting Concepts offers a free consultation and a free nighttime demo, so you can see the lighting on your property after dark before you buy. Call 561-866-5896 in Broward and Palm Beach, 954-649-4794 in Miami-Dade, or 512-579-9833 in Austin and San Marcos.

Free consultation and nighttime demo: Broward & Palm Beach 561-866-5896 · Miami-Dade 954-649-4794 · Austin & San Marcos 512-579-9833