Having outdoor lighting installed can not only improve visibility for your front and back gardens at night, but act as a security enhancement by potentially deterring burglars. In this guide, we’ll look at the average cost of having different types of outdoor lights installed, along with related subjects including the cost of running outdoor lighting, maintenance and replacement costs, and government incentives and regulations to consider. Let’s dive in!
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Types Of Outdoor Lighting
Before discussing the average costs of having outdoor lights installed, you’ll want to know what your options are. Here are some of the most notable types of outdoor lighting available on the UK market nowadays.
Floodlights
Outdoor floodlights are designed to be particularly bright so that they can greatly light up the space in front and below it. Floodlights that come with weatherproof qualities are not only safe but made to last.
Floodlights are ideal as a form of security lighting and as a way to ensure the space in front of it is well lit, which can be important for anyone wishing to navigate their garden in the dark and even more so for those with eyesight that is limited to one degree or another. All in all, floodlights are a fantastic and commonly chosen option for adding outdoor lighting to a home.
LED Outdoor Lights
Many types of outdoor lighting can be LED outdoor lighting. For example, floodlights may feature LED lights.
Along with being energy-efficient, LED lighting can, in general, prove quite cost-effective, largely because of how durable and long-lasting they are. That said, LEDs can often be relatively low in wattage and may prove relatively expensive upfront.
Solar-Powered Lighting
Many households these days opt for standalone solar-powered lights that can be added throughout their garden. Along with these outdoor lights often proving to be relatively inexpensive, they are totally free to run. And, of course, they are more eco-friendly.
On the other hand, solar-powered lights are not especially bright, which is part of why households will usually have quite a few installed so that they can collectively provide a reasonable amount of brightness in areas of your garden at night. What’s more, they may not work during the evening time following a cloudy day.
Incandescent Exterior Lights
Note: Incandescent light bulbs have been phased out, so this is only really relevant to those with existing outdoor lights that used incandescent bulbs.
Incandescent lights feature a wire filament that is heated until it creates a glow. They are also known to produce a warm light in all directions. While they can offer good value for money, they lack the energy efficiency of LEDs.
What’s more, it’s important to note that these light bulbs can get quite hot. This means it can pose a safety hazard, particularly if you have any kids or pets. As a result, you’ll want to ensure it is located such that they cannot come into contact with it and otherwise take suitable precautions.
Halogen Lighting
Note: Halogen light bulbs have been phased out, so, again, this subsection is not relevant unless you want to consider any existing outdoor lights that use halogen light bulbs.
Another type of outdoor lighting that were installed before being phased out several years ago is that of halogen lights. With a filament kept inside halogen gas, a bright light (that also provides warmth) is produced.
As with incandescent lights, halogen lights are much less efficient than LEDs (though somewhat more efficient than incandescent lights on average). What’s more, halogen lights are also prone to become particularly hot.
So, once more, it’s important to consider this and take suitable precautions, especially if you children or pets (e.g. make sure it is out of their reach). Their release of UV radiation is also a health concern.
Motion Sensor Lights
This type of outdoor lighting is great for security purposes. As you can tell by the name, these lights feature motion sensors that turn the light on when they’ve detected movement nearby.
The vast majority of the time this will happen, it may be nothing more than a neighbourhood cat exploring or a fox passing by. That said, it can be especially beneficial if someone were to try break in.
For one, if they realised in advance that you have motion sensor lights for outdoors, burglars may choose against breaking in or at the very least (hopefully) be deterred if suddenly under the rays of a bright security light, likely causing them to flee quickly.
Of course, the fact these lights can turn on when there is no danger of an intruder is a little bit of a downside, but not really a large price to pay for the security and peace of mind they can offer.
Other Options
Other types of outdoor lighting worth mentioning are:
- Garden Fence Lights
- Plug-in Outdoor Lights
- Outdoor Fairy Lights
- Lights for Water Features
Initial Installation Costs
Note: When wiring is involved or otherwise dealing with electrics, an electrician must perform the installation of an outdoor light. Of course, there are exceptions, such as standalone solar-powered lights that can be simply added to the ground in the correct location by following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Now for the part you've been waiting for. Here we’ll look at the average cost of having different types of outdoor lighting installed (i.e. the overall cost, so including the price of labour and supply only outdoor lighting prices). So, how much does it cost to install exterior lights?
Average Total Installation Costs
Note: Once more, it is not possible to have halogen or incandescent lights installed now but still worth considering their pricing if swapping them out for LED outdoor lights, so you can get a sense of how they compare.
Floodlights usually cost somewhere in the region of £100 to £200 while spotlights often cost anywhere from £50 to £500. A security light fit, on the other hand, may cost around £100 to £200 (including motion sensor outdoor lighting).
Other examples (and their average total installation costs) include solar-powered garden lights (approx. £100 to £500 for several), low-voltage outdoor lighting at £100 to £200, incandescent outdoor lighting at £100 to £150, halogen lighting at £100 to £170 and LED outdoor lights at £120 to £200.
Here is a table summarising the cost of outdoor lighting in the UK:
| Type of Lighting | No. of Lights | Average Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Floodlight | 1 | £100 to £200 |
| 2 | £120 to £480 | |
| LED Outdoor Lighting | 1 | £120 to £200 |
| 2 | £140 to £300 | |
| 3 | £160 to £400 | |
| Solar-Powered Lighting | 1-2 | £100 to £250 |
| 3-4 | £120 to £350 | |
| 5-6 | £140 to £450 | |
| 7-10 | £160 to £550 | |
| Incandescent Exterior Lights | 1 | £100 to £150 |
| 2 | £120 to £300 | |
| Halogen Lighting | 1 | £100 to £170 |
| 2 | £120 to £250 | |
| Motion Sensor Lights | 1 | £100 to £200 |
| 2 | £150 to £400 |
Key Cost Factors
Of course, the type of light you opt for is not all that matters when it comes to costs. For example, the cost of having outdoor lights installed can vary depending on the number of lights required (as touched on in the table below).
Beyond that, the difficulty of installing the lights based on the specific lights purchased or/and ease of access, and where you live can also affect the overall cost. Location matters since labour prices differ throughout the UK (e.g. London is known for being particularly extensive while areas/cities like Newcastle, Glasgow and Belfast come with relatively low labour prices in general).
Cost Elements Breakdown
On average, the total cost of outdoor lighting will include a price of labour of somewhere in the region of £30 to £100.
That said, for more complex installations or/and those involving more lighting units, an electrician could very well charge more (e.g. a full day may cost about £150 to £300 in labour costs).
Of course, the price of labour can also be shaped by the wiring involved (that must be dealt with by a qualified electrician - it is not a DIY job). Where the wiring is more complex, the work may take longer and therefore cost more.
And, as touched on already, labour prices generally differ from region to region. The southeast of England tends to be costlier, whereas England, Scotland and Northern Ireland generally feature relatively low labour prices.
The cost of a single outdoor light (in terms of the supply only costs) will generally end up around £20 to £100, that said certain types (e.g. landscape lights and spotlights) and high-quality products can often end up being several hundred pounds altogether and in rare cases, up to £1,000.
That said, in general, a single outdoor light or even several smaller ones (e.g. solar-powered garden lights) shouldn’t cost too much.
Energy Consumption and Costs
First and foremost, LED lights are a particularly efficient option. LED lights use approximately 70-90% less energy than incandescent light bulbs. LED lights are also about 70-80% more energy efficient than halogen lights, meaning that incandescent and halogen lights are fairly similar in terms of efficiency.
Naturally, the distinction between LED lights and other common options means that opting for an LED outdoor light can save you money in running costs. Running one LED outdoor light may cost about £3 to £5 per year, while a single halogen or incandescent outdoor light will generally cost around £12 to £17 to run each year.
Obviously, the above costs are quite low, but it can add up particularly if you have many outdoor lights and think of the costs adding up over the years. Point being, LED lights may save you hundreds of pounds over its lifespan. What’s more, LED lights tend to last longer too and, of course, are more eco-friendly.
All that said, solar-powered outdoor lights take cost-saving one step further since they are totally free to run. Of course, the downsides include the fact that many are generally needed to achieve a satisfactory result considering they tend to be quite dimly lit in comparison with other types of lighting. So, solar-powered garden lights may or may not be sufficient on their own.
Maintenance and Replacement Costs
Note: Do not inspect or perform any electrical or lighting checks, repair work, maintenance or replacement work unless otherwise stated below as being DIY friendly.
While upfront cost and running costs are important, so are other long-term considerations such as how soon before you may need to replace a given outdoor light and what it may cost to maintain.
Light Bulb Replacement Only
Note: Certain outdoor lights must be fully replaced when their light bulb gives way. This will depend on the design. Consult with an electrician for clarification ahead of having them come by to perform the work, although it’s possible they’ll have to be there in person to make a proper determination, so do keep this in mind and mention to them if needed.
Simply having a light bulb replaced is likely to cost around £40 to £70 when hiring an electrician. While an electrician must be hired to install a new outdoor light unit, it is sometimes possible for a DIYer to replace a light bulb. However, it’s very important to follow all necessary safety steps and the manufacturer’s instructions.
This includes ensuring the power is off (you should also turn it off at the mains to be sure and make certain you turn off the correct switches) and installing the right type of light bulb. If in any doubt, always hire a professional since working with electrics, even in the case of replacing a light bulb can be lethal if a mistake is made.
On average, you’ll need to have the light bulb for an outdoor light replaced every several years in the case of a halogen or incandescent light but generally somewhere between 10 and 15 years if you have an LED outdoor light installed.
Electrical Fault Repair
It’s also possible that you’ll need to have an outdoor light repaired or maintained due to an electrical fault or other damage, including damage to the lighting fixture itself (i.e. the frame that contains the light bulb inside it with both making up the entire unit).
When an electrical fault is present, you’ll need to have this address either way if it relates to the wiring from your home. However, if a qualified electrician determines that the electrical fault has proven to be part of the outdoor lighting unit then you may simply choose to have it replaced (e.g. it may be beyond economical repair, making a replacement the more financially sensible solution) and it may even prove the only viable option.
Of course, you may decide to have the outdoor light replaced regardless, particularly if it is fairly worn down. If an electrical fault needs fixing (again only by a qualified electrician) this is likely to cost about £40 to £120, assuming the fault is relatively small and simple for the electrician to address.
For the most part, outdoor lights can go their full lifespan before an electrical fault occurs. Electrical issues can arise after several decades or sooner, however. Some issues may prove temporary (e.g. a tripped switch) while in other cases, an electrician will need to perform repair work. Moreover, a house should be rewired about once every 20-30 years. This can limit the risk of faults and similar issues arising and reduce the danger of an electrical fire breaking out.
Outdoor Lighting Unit Damage Repair
If the lighting unit is damaged, it will probably be best to simply have it replaced as it may very well be beyond economical repair or as also stated in the prior subsection, it may be the only feasible choice.
An exception might be if there is minuscule damage to the unit that can be repaired with ease and the unit is relatively new (and not particularly worn down either). Also, if the unit is quite new and costs a lot then it may still prove economically sensible to have it repaired.
Be sure that a qualified electrician determines whether or not a damaged lighting unit can simply be repaired rather than replaced. They’ll also be needed to perform the repair or replacement work.
Ultimately, having an outdoor lighting unit repaired is likely to cost somewhere in the region of £40 to £180.
Replace an Outdoor Light Unit
The time at which it becomes necessary to replace an entire outdoor lighting unit will depend on various factors.
That said, there’s a good chance that the average, wired outdoor light will last for 10-30 years. This is a rough estimate. Not only are certain types of outdoor lights designed to last longer due to aspects such as the quality and weatherproofing capacity of the lighting fixture/frame’s material, but the type of light bulb used can matter too.
If, for example, an outdoor light uses a halogen light bulb, the bulb will very likely need replacing much sooner than if it were an LED light. The frequency of light bulb replacements and how much energy they use (i.e. energy efficiency) can shape how much wear and tear will occur based on how much the unit must work to generate light as needed.
Here are some of the signs that it may be time to have an outdoor lighting unit fully replaced: *
- Light bulbs burn out sooner than they did before
- The outdoor light has become less reliable or otherwise acts up
- You notice the light isn’t as bright as it once was (and you’re sure that it isn’t to do with a different light bulb - whether in its qualities or being a faulty product)
- The outdoor light in question is beyond economical repair meaning that a replacement is the only sensible way forward
- The light has totally given way and there’s no way to repair it
* If in doubt, hire an electrician to determine if it needs replacing and avoid performing DIY inspection work or otherwise taking risks with electrics/wiring.
Operational Lifespan and Long-Term Savings
The longer an outdoor light and its light bulb(s) can last, the better value you get for your money. Moreover, this can save you some money over time by lowering energy bills.
Here is the average lifespan of different outdoor light designs: *
- Floodlights - 10 to 30 years
- Spotlights - 20 to 40 years
- Solar-powered lights - 2 to 5 years
- Motion sensor lights - 10 to 30 years
- Landscape lights - 10 to 30 years
* These durations can vary depending on the type of light bulb used. That said, certain outdoor lights may only be made for specific light bulbs (e.g. spotlights which the seller has made only compatible with LED light bulbs). So, this can impact on the life expectancy of specific outdoor lighting products as can other factors including the quality of the brand and design/product.
Here is the average lifespan of different light bulbs that may be used for outdoor lights:
- LED light bulb - 10 to 15 years
- Halogen light bulb - 2 to 5 years
- Incandescent light bulb - 1 to 3 years
As discussed earlier, LED light bulbs are substantially more efficient than halogen and incandescent light bulbs. Swapping out an outdoor lighting unit that uses a halogen or incandescent bulb for an LED-based exterior light may save you around £50 to £60 over a five-year period.
This figure can rise much higher if you opt to have several halogen or/and incandescent-based lights swapped out for LED-based ones. Moreover, solar-powered lights come with no energy running costs, though the trade-off is their relatively low light levels and low life expectancies.
Aesthetic and Property Value Impact
One added advantage of having one or several outdoor lights added to your home, can improve the aesthetic appeal of your property.
Of course, some garden lights are known to be more pleasing on the eye than others, such as spotlights or solar-powered lights. That said, beauty is in the eye of the beholder so what one person deems to be a gorgeous addition to a property may not meet the preferences of someone else and vice versa.
Further, outdoor lighting can increase your home’s resale value. As a rough estimate, it may add several percent to your property’s value, though this will depend on the number and type of outdoor lights.
It’s worth noting that not every potential home buyer will like outdoor lighting (including in the specific way they exist on your property) but there’s a good chance that the average potential buyer will, due to the aesthetic and practical value that outdoor lights can provide. Ultimately, if increasing the value of your home, some of the initial installation costs can be offset this way.
Government Incentives and Regulations
While there aren’t many specific incentives out there right now in relation to outdoor lighting, however, there are a few options worth looking into.
Firstly, it’s possible that having LED-based outdoor lighting added to your home can make you eligible for a Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) if you are based in England. The purpose of this grant is to support households in adding energy efficient upgrades to their home.
To be eligible, a household must be low income, off the gas grid or/and featuring an Energy Performance Certificate or EPC of D to G. Moreover, only certain local authorities are eligible too.
Beyond that (and particularly if you are ineligible for a Home Upgrade Grant or based outside of England), households should consider reaching out to their local council to inquire about any other potential funding that the council may provide themselves or which may apply to the region/nation as a whole (e.g. Scotland).
As for the regulations, Building Regulations state that you cannot have a lamp capacity in excess of 150 watts per light fitting. What’s more, they must feature switches to automatically turn off during the day time or otherwise when there is sufficient daylight not to necessitate outdoor lighting or they are simply not required at a given time, even when it's dark out.
Each outdoor lighting fitting must have sockets that are only applicable to use lamps featuring an energy efficiency in excess of 40 l/cW (lumens per circuit-watt).
A qualified and experienced electrician will know how to adhere to these regulations and other rules and regulations that may apply whether it be for ensuring planning permission is not needed or localised regulations. This is another reason why hiring an electrician is so important, although it is primarily for safety purposes above all else.
It’s possible that the rules, regulations and laws surrounding outdoor lighting, both domestic and local, could affect what type and style of outdoor lighting can be added to your home.
Environmental Impact and Cost Implications
If you want to ensure you opt for eco-friendly options, you’ll want to look at some of the highest energy efficient LED outdoor lights or solar-powered lighting.
While LEDs are energy efficient in their own right (when compared with old halogen or incandescent lighting), some products will be more efficient than others. So, opting for one of the highest efficiency options (that is still a good match for your home) is one way to approach securing a relatively eco-friendly choice.
Beyond that, solar-powered lighting is 100% self-sufficient and does not contribute to the release of fossil fuels, at least to run. Of course, the production of solar-powered lighting will often come with a carbon footprint.
So, really, whether you’re opting for LED outdoor lighting or solar-powered lighting, it’s best to also choose products that have been produced in a sustainable and low- or no-carbon manner.
Of course, choosing the most eco-friendly outdoor lights may cost more, particularly if you’re looking for high-quality products (e.g. LED outdoor lights with particularly high levels of efficiency), although it may not cost more simply for being produced in a sustainable and more eco-friendly way. This will simply vary from brand to brand and product to product.
With sufficient research or/and the help of an electrician who can source environmentally friendly lighting solutions for you, you can help ensure that your outdoor lighting instalments play a small part in making our world more eco-friendly.
Conclusion
In summary, finding the right outdoor lighting for you, that is suitable, effective and within your budget can bring enormous benefits.
Along with hopefully improving your property’s security, outdoor lighting can simply make traversing your garden(s) at night easier and lower the risk of falling over or otherwise hurting yourself in the dark. Outdoor lighting also has the potential to increase the resale value of a property!
You’ll ultimately want to balance initial costs with long-term savings and other key priorities (e.g. aesthetics, environmental impact and security benefits) to find the right type of outdoor lighting installation for you.
And, when it comes to hiring a qualified electrician (who is needed to install outdoor lighting), it’s a good idea to secure three or more quotes and then compare them before making an informed choice. From there, you can have outdoor lighting added, revitalising and enhancing your property for years to come!
Sources
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/students/sites/students/files/how_to_guide_-_trip_switches.pdf
https://www.planningportal.co.uk/permission/common-projects/lighting/lighting-building-regulations
https://www.lampwise.co.uk/light-bulbs/halogen