By the Unique Outdoor Lighting crew — NJ installs · Updated 2026-07-18
This is the question every homeowner asks first, and the one most lighting companies answer worst. Here is the honest version: what moves the price, what a real quote includes, and how to get an exact number for your own property without games.
How much does landscape lighting cost in New Jersey?
There is no flat price, because every system is designed around a specific property. As a grounded starting point: a basic pathway lighting setup for a smaller property typically starts in the low thousands. A full custom design for a larger home ranges higher, driven by fixture count, wire runs, and transformer requirements.
That range is wide on purpose. Two houses on the same street can need very different systems. One has a straight front walk and a few foundation plantings. The other has a long approach, mature trees, a patio that gets used three seasons a year, and a pool.
The honest way to price a project is to walk the property. That is why we quote after a walk-through, ideally around dusk — not over the phone.
What actually drives the price of a landscape lighting system?
Four things move the number more than anything else: how many fixtures the design calls for, how much wire has to run to reach them, the transformer capacity needed to power everything, and the controls you choose. Everything else is a detail by comparison.
Fixture count — every zone you light adds fixtures: pathways, uplights for trees, facade accents, patio and deck lighting.
Wire runs — long approaches and deep backyards mean more cable and more careful burial.
Transformer sizing — the power supply is matched to the system's load, with headroom for later additions.
Controls — a programmable timer and a phone-controlled smart system with zone-by-zone brightness are different scopes.
What is included in a landscape lighting quote?
Our quotes are free, transparent, and itemized — no hidden fees — and most clients have theirs within about 24 hours of the walk-through. The line items map to the actual work: the design, the fixtures, the transformer, the wiring, the installation, and the night-focusing visit where every fixture is aimed and dimmed after dark.
An itemized quote only helps if you can read it. If a line is unclear, ask. You should be able to see what you are paying for before anyone touches a shovel.
Why don't lighting companies publish flat package prices?
Because a flat package assumes every property is the same, and the price only works if the design is a template. Package pricing tends to mean a fixed kit of fixtures placed by habit rather than a layout composed for your home.
We design every system in-house, on the property it will live on. No templates, no cookie-cutter layouts. The quote follows the design — not the other way around.
Is LED landscape lighting cheaper to run than halogen?
Yes. LED fixtures draw a fraction of the energy of comparable halogen fixtures and last significantly longer, which means lower operating cost and far fewer bulb replacements over the life of the system. That is a real difference in what you spend after the install, not just at the install.
It is also why we build low-voltage LED systems rather than halogen — energy-efficient, durable, and built for New Jersey weather.
Can a landscape lighting project be built in phases?
Often, yes. A common approach is to light the arrival first — the entrance, the path, the front of the house — and add layers like backyard, patio, or tree lighting later. Whether phasing makes sense for your property is exactly the kind of thing the walk-through settles.
One detail matters if you plan to expand: the transformer. We size transformers with headroom, so a well-planned first phase leaves room to add zones later without replacing the power supply.
How do maintenance costs figure into the total?
Plan on a professional check-up once a year. Fixtures shift as ground settles, get bumped by landscapers, or develop connection issues from moisture — and an annual tune-up catches small problems before they become expensive ones.
We offer maintenance plans that bundle yearly inspections, system adjustments, and priority repair scheduling. And because LED lamps last significantly longer than halogen, a modern system needs far less routine bulb work than the systems most homeowners remember.
How do I get an exact price for my property?
Set up a walk-through. We visit your property, ideally around dusk, talk through what you want it to feel like after dark, and send a transparent, itemized quote — most clients have it within about 24 hours. Call (908) 540-6446 or send the form on the contact page.
The consultation costs nothing, and the quote is written so you can see exactly where the number comes from.
