Installation
Outdoor lighting installation
Outdoor lighting installation adds exterior, security, porch, path or landscape lights using fixtures rated for wet or damp locations, weatherproof boxes, GFCI protection and controls such as timers, photocells or motion sensors.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Licensed, independent electricians
- 47 states + DC
About outdoor lighting installation
Good exterior lighting improves safety at doors, steps and driveways and can deter intruders. Line-voltage fixtures on the house and low-voltage landscape systems are wired differently and have different code requirements.
Everything outdoors must be rated for its location: wet-rated fixtures where rain hits them, damp-rated under covered porches, weatherproof covers on outlets and boxes, and buried cable at the right depth.
- Outdoor Lighting Installation at a glance
- Installation
- Who does the work
- An independent licensed electrician
- Urgent calls
- Usually scheduled
- Typical first step
- Plan fixtures and controls
Signs you need this
- Dark entries, steps or driveways
- Wanting motion-activated security lights
- Landscape or path lighting plans
- Corroded or failing exterior fixtures
- No outdoor outlet for lighting transformers
What the electrician does
- 1
Plan fixtures and controls
Locations, fixture ratings and controls (timer, photocell, motion) are chosen.
- 2
Power source
An existing circuit is extended or a new GFCI-protected circuit is added.
- 3
Install and seal
Fixtures and boxes are mounted and sealed; buried cable is installed at the required depth.
- 4
Test
Controls and GFCI protection are tested.
What affects the cost
Electricians set their own prices. These are the factors that move a quote up or down, so you can compare like for like.
- Number and type of fixtures
- Trenching for path or yard lights
- New circuit versus existing
- Controls and smart switches
- Wall material for mounting
What you can do safely, and when to stop
Safe to do
- ✓ Plan where light is needed most
- ✓ Plug-in low-voltage landscape kits into an existing GFCI outlet
Stop and call
- ✕ Do not use indoor fixtures outdoors
- ✕ Do not bury indoor cable
Outdoor Lighting Installation FAQ
Do outdoor lights need GFCI?
Outdoor receptacles need GFCI protection; many outdoor lighting circuits are also protected for safety.
Wet-rated or damp-rated?
Wet-rated where rain can reach the fixture; damp-rated for covered porches.
Low-voltage or line-voltage landscape lighting?
Low-voltage systems are safer to run along the ground and plug into a transformer; line-voltage lights need buried cable and boxes.
Can outdoor lights turn on automatically?
Yes, with photocells, timers, motion sensors or smart switches.
Do outdoor lights need a permit?
New exterior circuits usually do; replacing a fixture on an existing box often does not.
Where electricians offer this
Available through our network in 47 states and DC. Metro guides:
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Learn more →Need help with outdoor lighting installation?
Call now, or send a request and a licensed electrician who serves your ZIP code will contact you.