Get matched with top lighting pros in Ocracoke, NC

Yes, animals can trigger motion-sensor lights. In fact, this is a reason why some homeowners install motion-sensor lights, to catch sneaky little critters looking through the rubbish for a midnight snack. There are sensitivities to animal detection though, so you may want to look for an option that avoids animal detection as much as possible.

You can use outdoor electrical outlets to conveniently power landscaping equipment such as electrical lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and pressure washers. From a recreational standpoint, outdoor outlets are handy for powering electric grills, mini-fridges, and stereos. They're also helpful when it's time to string Christmas lights on your home and around your property.

You can take a few steps to prolong the life of your holiday lights. Make sure to replace burnt-out bulbs as quickly as possible to avoid overloading the rest of the circuit and knocking out more lights. Before packing them up each year, plug each strand into the wall to confirm everything is still working. Wrap the lights carefully back into their original packaging or something similar—winding a strand tightly together or leaving it to hang loose in a storage bin can lead to frayed or damaged wiring. 

There are tons of different types of landscape lighting available, including the choice between solar and wired, incandescent and LED, and a variety of colors. Specific types of lighting include:

• Pathway lights: $50–$150 per fixture

• String lights: $50–$150

• Low-voltage lights: $90–$150 per fixture

• Porch lights: $65–$250 per fixture

• Floodlights: $75–$250 per fixture

• Downlights: $100–$400 per fixture

• Uplights: $100–$400 per fixture

• Security lights: $ 350–$500 per fixture

• Lamp posts: $400–$1,100 per lamp post