March 18, 2026 • Landscaping
Landscape Lighting Cost Guide: 2026 Prices for Outdoor Lighting Installation
Landscape lighting costs $900 to $5,000+ in 2026. See pricing for basic, mid-range, and premium outdoor lighting setups with LED fixture costs.
Good outdoor lighting transforms a property. It makes walkways safer, extends your outdoor living hours, and adds curb appeal that really stands out after dark. It's also one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make relative to its visual impact.
So what does it cost? In 2026, a basic setup with 4 to 6 lights runs $900 to $2,000. A mid-range system with 6 to 10 lights costs $1,500 to $3,500. Premium installations with 10 or more lights and custom design start at $3,000 and can reach $5,000 or more.
Here's the full breakdown.
Cost by setup level
| Setup Level | Number of Fixtures | Cost Range (CAD) | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 4 to 6 lights | $900 to $2,000 | Path lights and a few accent fixtures, transformer, wiring |
| Mid-range | 6 to 10 lights | $1,500 to $3,500 | Path, accent, and wash lighting, quality fixtures, transformer, professional design |
| Premium | 10+ lights | $3,000 to $5,000+ | Full property lighting design, uplighting, downlighting, hardscape integration, zoned controls |
These prices include fixtures, transformer, wiring, installation labour, and basic design. They assume a residential property with standard access conditions.
LED vs. halogen: why LED wins
If you're installing outdoor lighting in 2026, LED is the only sensible choice. Here's why.
Energy costs. LED fixtures use 75 to 80 percent less energy than halogen. For a system running four to six hours every night, the electricity savings add up fast.
Bulb lifespan. LED fixtures last 40,000 to 50,000 hours. Halogen bulbs burn out after 2,000 to 5,000 hours. Over ten years, you'd replace halogen bulbs multiple times while LEDs keep running.
Heat is another factor. Halogen fixtures get extremely hot, which can damage plants and creates a fire risk near mulch or dry vegetation. LEDs stay cool to the touch.
Fixture cost. Individual LED fixtures typically cost $2 to $8 each before installation. That's comparable to or cheaper than quality halogen fixtures, and the long-term operating cost is dramatically lower.
The only scenario where halogen still appears is in very old systems that haven't been upgraded. If you have an older halogen system, converting to LED is usually straightforward and pays for itself quickly through energy savings.
Understanding low-voltage systems
Nearly all residential outdoor lighting uses low-voltage (12V) systems rather than line-voltage (120V). Low-voltage lighting is safer (no risk of dangerous shock from buried wires), easier to install, and more flexible for adding or moving fixtures later.
A low-voltage system has three main components.
The transformer converts your home's 120V power to 12V. Transformers range from 150 watts for small systems to 600 watts or more for large installations. You need to size the transformer to handle the total wattage of all connected fixtures plus about 20 percent headroom. An undersized transformer will dim your lights and shorten fixture life.
The wiring. Low-voltage cable runs from the transformer to each fixture. Wire gauge matters because thinner wire over longer runs causes voltage drop, which means fixtures farther from the transformer appear dimmer. A professional installer will calculate voltage drop and use appropriate wire gauges for each run.
The fixtures are the visible part of the system. Type and placement determine the visual effect.
Types of outdoor lighting fixtures
Different fixtures create different effects, and a good lighting design uses a mix.
Path lights illuminate walkways and garden borders. They're the most common fixture type and work well along front walks, patio edges, and garden paths, providing gentle downward light at a low height.
Spotlights and accent lights focus a beam on specific features like trees, architectural details, or garden focal points. They create drama and draw the eye.
Wash lights cast a broader, softer glow across surfaces like stone walls, fences, or garden beds. They fill in the spaces between accent lights and add depth to the overall design.
Uplights sit at ground level and point upward to illuminate trees from below, highlighting trunk structure and canopy. Uplighting mature trees is one of the most impactful lighting techniques available.
Downlights mount in trees or on structures and point downward, creating a natural moonlight effect. They're subtle but require secure mounting points.
Hardscape lights are small fixtures built into retaining walls, steps, or patio borders. They add safety and a clean architectural look.
What affects the total price
Beyond the number of fixtures, several factors influence your total cost.
Property size and layout. A larger property requires more wire, longer runs, and potentially a bigger transformer. This adds cost even if the fixture count stays the same.
Design complexity plays a big role too. A thoughtful lighting design that layers different fixture types costs more than simply placing path lights every six feet. But the difference in the final result is enormous.
Fixture quality. Professional-grade brass or copper fixtures cost more than plastic or aluminum, but they last decades longer and resist corrosion. In Montreal, where fixtures endure salt spray, ice, and extreme temperature swings, material quality matters more than in milder climates.
Existing infrastructure can help keep costs down. If your property already has conduit or wire runs from a previous system, reusing them reduces labour cost. Starting from scratch on a mature property requires more careful installation to avoid damaging existing plants and hardscape.
Control systems. A basic timer or photocell is included in most installations. Smart controls that allow zoning, dimming, colour temperature adjustment, and app-based operation add $200 to $800 to the project.
Montreal climate considerations
Outdoor lighting in Montreal needs to withstand temperature swings from -30C to +35C, heavy snow loads, ice buildup, and occasional salt exposure. This affects both fixture selection and installation.
Fixture materials. Brass and copper hold up best in harsh winters. Aluminum is acceptable if it's powder-coated. Plastic fixtures tend to become brittle in extreme cold and crack within a few seasons.
Burial depth. Low-voltage wire should be buried at least 6 inches deep to protect against frost and accidental damage during spring garden work. Professional installers in Montreal typically go 6 to 12 inches deep.
Transformer placement matters too. Mount the transformer in a protected location, ideally under an eave or in a weatherproof enclosure. It needs to stay accessible for maintenance but sheltered from direct snow and ice contact.
Seasonal adjustment. In Montreal, the angle of the sun changes dramatically between summer and winter. A lighting design that looks balanced in July may feel different in December, partly because of snow coverage but also because deciduous trees lose their canopy and the whole property changes shape. A good designer accounts for this.
Is outdoor lighting worth the investment?
From a pure return-on-investment perspective, outdoor lighting is one of the highest-value upgrades you can make. Real estate professionals consistently cite well-designed exterior lighting as a feature that increases perceived home value. It also extends the usable hours of your outdoor spaces well into fall and early spring.
In practical terms, a $2,000 to $3,500 mid-range system can completely change how your property looks and feels at night, every night, for a decade or more with minimal maintenance.
Tips for getting the most from your budget
Start with a plan. Even a basic sketch of which areas you want lit and what effect you're after helps your installer work more efficiently and avoids costly changes mid-project.
Prioritize high-impact areas. Front entry, walkways, and one or two focal trees make the biggest visual difference. You can always add more fixtures later with a properly sized transformer.
Invest in the transformer. Oversize it by 20 to 30 percent. This costs a small amount more upfront but gives you room to add fixtures later without replacing the whole unit.
Choose quality over quantity. Six well-placed, high-quality fixtures create a better result than twelve cheap ones scattered randomly. Placement and aiming matter just as much as the fixtures themselves.
Get a custom lighting quote
Every property has features worth highlighting. For a free estimate, call 514-900-3867 or send us photos of your space. We can review your property and suggest a lighting approach that fits your goals and budget.
Frequently asked questions
How long do LED outdoor lights last? Quality LED fixtures last 40,000 to 50,000 hours. Running six hours per night, that's roughly 18 to 23 years before you'd need to replace them.
Can outdoor lighting be installed in winter? It's possible but not ideal. Frozen ground makes trenching for wire difficult. The best time to install in Montreal is late spring through fall when the ground is workable.
Do I need an electrician for outdoor lighting? Low-voltage lighting doesn't require a licensed electrician for the outdoor installation itself. However, the transformer connection to your home's electrical panel should be done by a qualified professional.
How much does it cost to run outdoor lighting? An LED system with 10 fixtures running six hours per night typically costs $3 to $8 per month in electricity at Quebec's hydro rates.
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