It’s fair to be concerned about handling pool lights or wiring in a pool filled with water. But fortunately, pool lights and swimming pools are designed to make it easy and safe to replace the lights without needing to drain the water. Instead, you can turn off the electricity to the pool as a safety precaution, unscrew the pool fixture, pull it up and out to the side of the pool, then change the bulb.
High-quality landscape lights that are hardwired and properly maintained can last for 10 to 25 years or more. You’ll usually get a longer lifespan from soffit lights and wall-mounted lights that aren’t directly exposed to the elements or prone to damage from foot traffic or vehicle traffic. Solar-powered and battery-powered lights often won’t last as long, but you can still expect a lifespan of five to 15 years.
Installing outdoor lighting can increase your home’s value by up to $2,500. The average ROI on landscape lighting is around 50%, but how much your home increases depends on the market, the type of lighting, and whether you have a strong strategy for your landscaping lighting project. LED and solar lighting may offer the highest ROIs.
The average cost to install outdoor or landscape lighting is around $4,000, with most projects ranging from $2,000 to $6,000. The total cost can vary widely depending on several factors, including the number of fixtures, design complexity, and the type and quality of the lights used, such as wall sconces, pathway lights, or lamp posts. Other factors that influence the price are the square footage of the area being lit, the amount of electrical work needed, any required excavation or trenching, and local permitting costs. For specific types, you might pay around $100 for pathway or string lighting and up to $700 for lamp post lighting.
The five common types of landscape lighting are up-lighting, down-lighting, spotlights, built-in lighting, and pathway lighting.
Up-lighting casts light upwards from the ground, mostly for aesthetic purposes.
Down-lighting directs light onto the ground, lighting pathways, or outdoor space.
Spotlights cast direct, focused lighting in any direction.
Built-in lighting integrates lighting into an outdoor feature.
Discover how much under-cabinet lighting costs. Discover installation prices, key cost factors, and expert tips to save on your kitchen or workspace lighting project.
Discover the cost to install recessed lighting. Discover how price factors, labor, and other considerations can help you save on your lighting project.
Lighting can make or break a space. That’s why it’s best to know what your options are and explore the pros and cons of common types of lighting for homes.