What Outdoor Lighting Costs in Seattle
Outdoor lighting makes your home safer, more usable after dark, and a lot more inviting. Before you start planning, though, you want to know what it will actually cost. This guide breaks down what homeowners in Seattle and on the Eastside can expect to pay for professional landscape lighting, what moves the price up or down, and how to budget for it.
The short answer:
- A professionally designed and installed system of about 10 fixtures typically costs $4,000 to $6,000.
- Larger systems average around $400 per installed fixture, so a 50-fixture property lands around $20,000.
- Most homeowners spend $5,000 to $20,000 on a complete system.
- A single hardwired porch or wall light installed by an electrician usually costs a few hundred dollars.
Every property is different, so the fastest way to get a real number is a free design consultation.
What’s Included in the Cost
A professional quote usually bundles several costs into one number. Here’s what each piece covers and what it typically adds.
Cost component | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Lighting design | A plan built around your home’s architecture, focal points, safety needs, and budget |
| Fixtures | The lights themselves, in materials from aluminum to solid brass and copper |
| Transformer | Converts household power to safe 12-volt power for low-voltage systems |
| Wire and trenching | Wire is priced by the linear foot; longer, deeper runs cost more |
| Labor | Installation, aiming, and testing |
| Electrical work | A new outlet or circuit when the existing setup can’t support the system |
At Washington Outdoor Lighting, design is part of every project, not an add-on. See how our lighting design process works.
Installed Cost by Fixture Type
Fixture type | Best for |
|---|---|
| Path lights | Walkways, steps, and garden borders |
| Porch and entry lights | Front doors, entries, and safety |
| Low-voltage landscape fixtures | General 12-volt landscape lighting |
| Floodlights | Broad coverage and security |
| Uplights | Trees, architecture, and focal points |
| Downlights (moonlighting) | A soft, natural glow cast from trees or eaves |
| Security lights | Motion-activated coverage of dark or hidden areas |
| Lamp posts | Driveways and entries far from the house |
| Pool lighting | Pools and water features |
Fixtures made from brass, copper, or stainless steel cost more upfront than aluminum or plastic, but they hold up far better in the Pacific Northwest’s constant moisture. Planning a driveway project? Browse our driveway lighting ideas.
Cost by Project Size
Most projects fall into one of three sizes. Use these as a starting point, then adjust for the factors in the next section.
Project size | Typical scope |
|---|---|
| Small | Front entry and walkway, or one focal area; about 10 fixtures |
| Mid-size | Front and back yard with several focal points; about 20 to 30 fixtures |
| Large property | Driveway, trees, architecture, and outdoor living areas; 50 or more fixtures |
Not ready to light the whole property at once? Many homeowners start with the front of the house and add the backyard or driveway in a second phase. A good design plans for that from day one, so the system expands cleanly later.
What Drives the Cost Up or Down
Two homes with the same number of fixtures can get very different quotes. These are the factors that make the difference.
- Existing landscape vs. new construction. Working around mature trees, plantings, and hardscape takes more time than a fresh or bare yard. If you’re building a deck, patio, or pergola, installing lighting at the same time costs less than retrofitting later.
- Distance from the house. Lamp posts, long driveways, and lights at the far edge of the yard need more wire and trenching.
- Terrain and soil. Slopes, hillsides, rocky ground, and dense soil all add labor.
- Fixture material. Brass and copper cost more than aluminum but resist corrosion and last years longer in wet weather.
- Weather protection. Seattle’s long rainy season makes sealed connections and weather-rated fixtures essential. Cutting corners here is the most common reason cheap systems fail.
- Controls and extras. Smart app control, dimming, separate zones, and motion sensors add to the price but give you far more control over how and when your lights run.
- Updating an existing system. Removing or upgrading an older system and adding smart features can add up to 20% to a project.
Lighting Company vs. Electrician vs. DIY
The right choice depends on what you’re lighting. Here’s how the three options compare.
Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| DIY kit | A few path lights in a small area |
| Electrician | One hardwired porch, wall, or security light on your house |
| Landscape lighting company | A designed low-voltage system for your yard and home |
An electrician is the right call for a single fixture on your house. A landscape lighting company designs how light falls across your whole property: where each fixture goes, beam angles, color temperature, and how the system is zoned. That design is the difference between a home that looks professionally lit and a yard dotted with bright spots. Here’s more on why a lighting designer beats a general landscaper.
Outdoor Lighting Repair and Maintenance Costs
LED systems last a long time, but no outdoor system is maintenance free. The most common problems are wires cut during yard work or digging, animals chewing through wire, storm damage to fixtures, failed transformers, and fixtures knocked out of position as plants grow.
Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Service call and diagnosis | $290 for the first hour |
| Annual maintenance visit | $504 |
| Wire repair | $290 for the first hour |
| Fixture replacement | Similar to the installed fixture costs above |
| Transformer replacement | $300 to $1,500 |
A yearly maintenance visit catches loose connections, dim fixtures, and small wiring problems before they turn into emergency repairs, which almost always cost more. We service and upgrade older halogen and incandescent systems too, not just the ones we installed. Learn about our repair and maintenance service.
What It Costs to Run, and Whether It’s Worth It
An LED landscape lighting system typically adds just $1 to $5 per month to your electric bill, depending on how many fixtures you have and how long they run. Older incandescent systems can cost $5 to $15 per month. Timers and smart controls cut that further by running lights only when you need them. For the math on a single fixture, see how much it costs to leave an outside light on all night.
As for value, landscape lighting improves curb appeal, makes your property safer to walk at night, and adds hours of usable outdoor time during Seattle’s long, dark fall and winter evenings. It’s also one of the more affordable ways to make a home stand out at resale. Here’s more on how much value landscape lighting adds to your home.
How to Keep Your Project on Budget
- Start with a design. A plan puts fixtures where they matter most, so you don’t pay for lights you don’t need.
- Build in phases. Light the front of the house first and add the backyard, driveway, or trees later.
- Choose fewer, better fixtures. Quality brass or copper fixtures cost more once but save you from replacing cheap ones every few years.
- Go LED. Lower power bills and fewer bulb replacements add up over the life of the system.
- Time it with other projects. Adding lighting while you build a patio, deck, or new landscape avoids digging things up twice.
How Pricing Works with Washington Outdoor Lighting
Every project follows the same clear process, so you know exactly what you’re paying for before any work starts.
- Consultation. We walk your property and talk through your goals and budget.
- Design and proposal. You get a lighting plan and a detailed quote.
- Nighttime demo. We show you the design on your home after dark, so you can see the results before you commit.
- Installation. Our team installs, aims, and tests every fixture.
- Follow-up and maintenance. We stay available to adjust, service, and expand your system over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does landscape lighting cost?
Most homeowners spend $5,000 to $15,000 on a complete landscape lighting system. Smaller projects of about 10 fixtures typically cost $3,000 to $4,000, while large properties with 50 or more fixtures can run $15,000 and up.
How much does it cost to install outdoor lighting?
Professional installation of a designed low-voltage system typically starts around $3,000 for about 10 fixtures, including design, fixtures, the transformer, and labor. The final price depends on fixture count, fixture quality, and how far the lights are from your power source.
How much does an electrician charge to install an outdoor light?
For a single hardwired porch, wall, or security light, expect a few hundred dollars. Electricians typically charge roughly $50 to $150 per hour, plus the cost of the fixture.
How much do outdoor lighting repairs cost?
It depends on the problem. A simple wire repair or fixture adjustment is usually quick, while a transformer replacement typically costs $300 to $1,500. A service visit starts at $290.
Is professional landscape lighting worth the cost?
For most homeowners, yes. A professionally designed system looks better, lasts longer in wet weather, and costs little to run. It also adds safety, curb appeal, and hours of usable outdoor time.
Can I install landscape lighting myself?
A few low-voltage path lights are a manageable DIY project. Anything hardwired into your home’s electrical system should be handled by a licensed professional, and a full-property system benefits from professional design.
How much does it cost to run outdoor lights?
An LED landscape system typically costs $1 to $5 per month to run. Older incandescent systems can cost $5 to $15 per month.
Conclusion
Outdoor lighting is a valuable investment that enhances the beauty, safety, and functionality of your outdoor spaces. While the costs can vary widely depending on the types of fixtures, installation, and features you choose, there are plenty of ways to make outdoor lighting work within your budget. By understanding the factors that influence cost and taking advantage of cost-saving tips, you can illuminate your outdoor spaces without breaking the bank.
Ready to find out what lighting your home would cost? We serve Seattle, Bellevue, and communities across the Eastside. Request your free consultation or call us at (425) 765-4107.
