Landscape Lighting Cost (2026): $200–$350 Per Fixture
Landscape lighting typically runs $200–$350 per fixture installed for quality low-voltage systems, covering the light, its share of wire and transformer, and labor — or roughly $2,000–$4,500 for an average residential design. The transformer and wire runs are a fixed cost that gets spread across the job, and difficult digs or long runs are priced as their own factor.
Base pricing per fixture
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Fixture installed (quality low-voltage) | $200–$350 each |
| Average residential design | $2,000–$4,500 |
| Transformer, installed | Spread across fixtures, or $300–$800 as a line |
| Boring under hardscape | Priced per crossing |
| Evening design demo | $100–$250, credited on booking |
| Annual maintenance visit | $150–$350 |
Worked example: 12-light front yard
A homeowner wants path lights along the walk, uplights on two trees, and wash lights on the facade. One bore under the driveway.
| Line | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brass path lights, installed | 6 | $245 | $1,470 |
| Brass uplights, installed | 4 | $275 | $1,100 |
| Wall wash lights, installed | 2 | $295 | $590 |
| Bore under driveway | 1 | $225 | $225 |
| Design demo credit | 1 | −$150 | −$150 |
| Total | $3,235 |
Per-fixture lines let the customer drop two path lights and watch the total move — that’s a negotiation you win without cutting your rate.
Per-fixture pricing scales cleanly
Quoting per installed fixture lets the customer shape the design and see the price move. Build the transformer and main wire run into the overall number so there’s no surprise line at the end.
Fixture quality is a real choice
- Budget fixtures — fail fast; the big-box comparison.
- Brass / copper — last decades; what justifies a professional install.
Quote the grade you install and explain it — you’re not selling the same thing as a kit.
Site conditions add labor
Long runs, rocky or root-bound digging, and boring under hardscape all add time. Price those conditions as their own factor rather than eating them on a flat per-fixture rate.
Keep going
- Landscape lighting estimate template — per-fixture lines ready to copy
- Landscape lighting business software
- Cost to start a landscape lighting business
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 10-light landscape lighting system cost?
Roughly $2,000–$3,500 installed for quality brass or copper fixtures, including the transformer, wire, and labor. Budget fixtures bring the number down; long runs and hardscape boring push it up.
Per fixture or per job?
Per-fixture-installed pricing is the industry norm and easy to scale — the customer can add or cut lights and see the price move. Build the transformer and main wire run into the overall number rather than a separate surprise.
Does fixture quality change the price?
A lot. Cheap fixtures fail in a season; brass and copper last decades. Quote the grade you install and explain the difference, because a customer comparing you to a big-box kit is comparing different products.
What raises the labor cost?
Long wire runs, hard digging through roots or rock, and boring under driveways or walkways all add real time. Price those site conditions as their own factor instead of absorbing them.
Should I charge for a night design demo?
Many installers charge $100–$250 for an evening demo and credit it back if the customer books. It filters out tire-kickers and the demo is what sells the design.
Should I sell a maintenance plan?
Yes — an annual visit at $150–$350 to adjust fixtures, trim plants away from lights, replace failed lamps, and check connections. Systems drift out of aim as plants grow, and the plan keeps the install looking like the day you finished it.