Low-voltage landscape, line-voltage security, or hardwired soffit and pathway lights—get the full installed cost including wire run, transformer, and labor before the customer asks for a number.
Low-voltage landscape lighting is the most profitable outdoor electrical work per hour. No permit required in most jurisdictions, no licensed electrician required in many states, and homeowners pay $2,000–$5,000 for 12–20 fixtures without blinking. Your material cost is $600–$1,200. Labor is 6–10 hours. That's 40–60% margin when priced correctly—don't race to the bottom competing with landscapers.
Add up your fixture wattage before sizing the transformer. A 150W transformer running 12 × 20W LED fixtures is at 160%—it'll overheat and fail within a year. Size to 60–70% of transformer capacity to allow for replacements and additions. A 300W transformer for 140W of fixtures costs $40 more and prevents a warranty callback.
Surface-laid cable under mulch is fine for most landscape installs but can be disturbed by edging and regrading. Underground trenching at 6–8″ depth adds $1.50–$3.00/lf in labor but gives a clean, permanent install. Position trenching as the "right way" option—it's a $300–$600 upsell on a typical job that eliminates every future callback about a cut wire.
The Electrician's Business Starter Kit includes a flat-rate price book for 40 common service calls, NEC quick-reference cards, and a service agreement template. Guide from $19 — Complete Kit with all 19 templates, $49.
Get the Electrician's Kit →Outdoor lighting jobs range from a simple fixture swap to full landscape lighting systems with low-voltage wiring, transformers, and multiple zones. This calculator prices the work based on fixture count, wiring run lengths, transformer sizing, and labor time. Use it to quote outdoor lighting accurately and capture the full value of the design and installation work.