What lighting installation actually costs.
Honest pricing data for every lighting service we route. National ranges, what drives cost up or down, sample itemized scenarios, and how to read a quote so you don’t get oversold. Updated for 2026.
As featured in
- Elle Decor
- House Beautiful
- Apartment Therapy
- Country Living
Ten services. Honest pricing for each.
Tap a guide to see the full pricing table, what drives cost, sample itemized scenarios, and the cost calculator for your zip code.
Six things that move the number more than anything else.
Every cost guide covers these in detail. Here’s the short version, applicable to any service.
01
Scope, not square footage
Lighting installation cost tracks the number of fixtures and circuits, not the square footage of the home. A 1,200 sq ft cottage with a 22-fixture landscape plan costs more than a 6,000 sq ft house with two driveway sconces.
02
Material grade is the biggest variable
Solid brass fixtures cost 2–3x powder-coated steel. Brass lasts 20+ years; the alternative fails in 2–3 freeze-thaw cycles. The catalog cut you choose drives more of the final cost than the labor does.
03
Local labor rates vary 30–40%
Metro markets (Manhattan, San Francisco, Chicago) run 30–40% higher labor than secondary metros (Charlotte, Nashville, Phoenix). National ranges in each guide reflect the middle of that band.
04
Permit and heritage coordination
Heritage districts (Charleston BAR, Georgetown OGB, NYC LPC) add 4–8 week timelines and consultant fees, typically $2,000–$8,000 per project beyond the install.
05
Designer-led plans are universal at scale
Whole-property plans over $25,000 are nearly always designer-led. The designer fee is real ($3,000–$15,000) but designer-specified projects avoid the most common installer mistakes, which are far more expensive to redo.
06
Smart integration adds $4,000–$20,000
Lutron RA3, Crestron, and Control4 integration is its own line item. Caseta starter systems run $4,000–$8,000. Full RA3 with motorized shades runs $14,000–$60,000.
Cost questions, answered honestly.
Are these prices accurate for my zip code?
National ranges in each guide are weighted to median US labor and material costs. Metro markets run 20–40% higher, secondary metros run roughly at the median, and tertiary markets run 10–20% below. The cost calculator inside each guide adjusts for your zip code. Final quote from your matched installer reflects actual scope.
Why do quotes from different installers vary so much?
The single biggest variable is material spec. A quote using powder-coated steel will be 40–60% lower than a quote using solid brass for the same fixture count. Always check the spec line on every quote. Our network requires brass on outdoor installs by default; that floors the price but eliminates the ‘why did mine fail in two winters’ problem.
What’s the cheapest way to do this well?
Pick one service to do completely right rather than three half-done. A small landscape plan with 8 brass fixtures, designer-led, costs about the same as a 25-fixture plan with cheap fixtures and no designer. The first one survives a decade. The second gets redone in three years.
Do you charge homeowners?
No. Quotes are free. We never charge homeowners. Installers in our network pay only when they win the work, which is how the service stays free for you.
How do I know if a quote is fair?
Compare three things across quotes: fixture material spec (brass vs. plated), labor hours estimate (not lump-sum), and warranty terms. Each cost guide includes a ‘how to read a quote’ section with the exact line items to check.
Is financing available?
Many installers offer financing on projects over $5,000. Terms vary by installer and by state. Ask during the quote conversation; if it matters to you, your matched installer will have a financing option or refer you to one.
Three steps. No phone trees. No friction.
From inquiry to installation. Engineered to be the fastest way to find a quality lighting installer in your area.
01
Tell us about your project
Zip code, the service you need, your contact info. 60 seconds. No account creation. No phone tree.
02
We route to local installers
Licensed lighting pros in your area receive your project and reach out. Typically within 24 hours.
03
Compare. Choose. Or don’t.
Free, no-obligation quotes. Hire who you want, when you want. There’s no fee for using the service.
$0
Homeowner fees. Installers pay only when they earn your business
0
Lighting services covered, from outdoor to smart-home
0
Licensed and insured installers. No exceptions
<0
Average inquiry-to-first-contact response time
Free quotes. Licensed installers. 24-hour response.
Get free quotes in 24 hours.
No obligation. No fee. Licensed installers only.
Or reach out directly.
No fee · No spam · No obligation. Installers pay us only when they earn your business.