Landscape Lighting Cost in Long Beach, CA: 2026 Price Guide

Most Long Beach homeowners should plan on roughly $2,000 to $5,000 for a professionally installed landscape lighting system, or about $100 to $500 per installed fixture, depending on fixture quality, wire runs and whether the system is low-voltage or hardwired. Published guides give wide ranges because the real price depends on your yard. Below, we break down what drives the number, what is usually included, and when California rules call for a licensed electrician.

We are System Wide Services, a licensed, veteran and woman-owned plumbing, electrical and handyman company based in Cerritos. We install indoor and outdoor lighting for homeowners across Long Beach and Orange County. We do not publish fixed lighting prices, because a front-yard path and a pool-side backyard are different jobs. The ranges below come from published cost guides so you can budget before you call anyone.

TL;DR

• Expect about $2,000 to $4,500 for a typical professional install nationally, with a California estimate of $1,650 to $5,525 for outdoor lighting.
• Per fixture, budget $100 to $200 as a national norm and up to $150 to $500 in California.
• Transformers, wire burial and yard complexity are the add-ons that move a quote the most.
• Low-voltage systems are the lower-cost route; a new 120V circuit or hardwired transformer needs a permit and a licensed electrician.
• Ask for a written, itemized quote that lists fixtures, transformer size, wire and controls.

Table of Contents

• What landscape lighting costs in Long Beach
• What drives the price
• What a good estimate should include
• Do you need an electrician and a permit?
• Ways to keep the cost in check
• Our perspective: plan the power before the fixtures
• Outdoor lighting from System Wide Services
• How to get an accurate quote
• FAQ
• Sources

What landscape lighting costs in Long Beach

Long Beach does not have its own official price list, so the best guide is a mix of national and California figures. Here is how they line up.

The California estimate sits higher than the national numbers. ClearCost says California runs about 11% above the national average, based on regional price parity data. That fits what we see in Southern California: labor, insurance and material costs run above the national norm.

For planning, a realistic Long Beach range is:

• Small project (a front walkway or a few accent lights): often lands near the low end of the ranges above.
• Typical full yard (front and back, 15 to 25 fixtures, one transformer): in the middle of the ranges, around $3,000 to $4,000.
• Large or complex project (pool area, slopes, long runs, architectural fixtures, smart controls): the top of the range or above.

Treat these as budgeting guides, not quotes. Your own yard decides where you land.

What drives the price

Five things account for most of the difference between two quotes for “the same” lighting job.

Number and type of fixtures

Path lights, spotlights, well lights, step lights and deck lights all cost different amounts. Basic fixtures sit at the lower end of the per-fixture range, while brass or specialty fixtures push the price up. A dozen path lights is a very different job from eight step lights plus twelve hardscape lights around a pool. Fixr’s example of that pool-area layout, including wiring and a new transformer, came to about $3,000.

Transformer size and controls

The transformer steps household power down to 12 volts and sets how many fixtures you can run. According to Cost to Renovate:

• A basic 150W transformer handles 8 to 10 fixtures and costs $80 to $150.
• A 300W multi-zone unit with a photocell, timer and Wi-Fi control costs $200 to $400.
• A 600W unit for more than 15 fixtures costs $300 to $600.

If you want lights that switch on at dusk and off on a schedule without touching a switch, plan for the middle or upper transformer tier.

Wire runs and yard layout

Long runs, rocky or compacted soil, concrete you have to cross and dense planting all add labor. The same guide lists wire burial method as adding $150 to $800 and landscape complexity as adding $300 to $1,500. Tru-Scapes reports that labor is typically 40% to 60% of the total project cost, so layout matters as much as hardware.

Low-voltage or line-voltage

Low-voltage (12V) systems are the common choice for residential yards. Line-voltage (120V) systems are heavier work. Tru-Scapes states that line-voltage installs typically cost 30% to 50% more in labor, and VOLT Lighting notes that 120V cable must be buried 18 inches or run in conduit. For most homes, low-voltage is the better value.

Design and electrical source

A lighting plan that places fixtures for security, safety and curb appeal takes time. If you are also redoing planting, patios or hardscape, landscape design and planning done first lets you place conduit and wire before the surfaces go in. Where the power comes from matters too: if your exterior outlet or circuit cannot carry the load, a new circuit is a separate electrical cost.

What a good estimate should include

When you compare quotes, ask that each one lists the same items. A line-by-line estimate makes differences obvious.

1. Number and type of fixtures, with the lumen or wattage rating of each lamp.
2. Transformer size and where it mounts.
3. Wire gauge and how it is buried or protected.
4. Controls: timer, photocell, zones, app control.
5. Any new circuit, outlet or breaker work.
6. Permit and inspection fees, if the job needs them.
7. Cleanup, restoration of disturbed soil or mulch, and a walkthrough at dusk.

We give upfront pricing with no upsell pressure, and we put the scope in writing so you can see exactly what each line covers.

Do you need an electrician and a permit?

In California, the answer depends on how the system is powered.

Low-voltage plug-in systems. Under the California Electrical Code, low-voltage landscape lighting is classed as a Class 2 power-limited system, which EXT Lighting says is exempt from most of the permit and licensing rules for 120V branch-circuit wiring.

Hardwired or new circuits. The same source says a new 120V circuit, a dedicated breaker or a hardwired transformer calls for a permit and a licensed electrician. PermitDeck likewise states that any new circuit, branch or feeder in California requires an electrical permit. Portfolio Lighting adds that a permit applies when a wire run crosses an easement or public right-of-way, or when a pool brings NEC Article 680 requirements into play.

Pools and spas. Lighting near water has its own safety rules. This is the point where we recommend a licensed electrician rather than a weekend install.

Title 24. California’s energy code covers outdoor lighting efficiency and controls. DoINeedAPermit advises checking Title 24 compliance if you install 10 or more outdoor fixtures, even low-voltage ones. We cover how this works in our guide to Title 24 lighting requirements.

Long Beach specifics. Exemptions are decided by the Building Official, and historic districts and coastal zones may add requirements. If you live near the water or in a historic neighborhood, confirm with the City of Long Beach before work starts. We can handle that step for the electrical portion of your project.

Ways to keep the cost in check

• Start with the areas that matter most. Entry, steps and driveway edges improve safety and curb appeal first. A good design lets you add zones later.
• Size the transformer for growth. Buying a slightly larger transformer now costs less than replacing it when you add fixtures.
• Use quality LED fixtures. LED lamps draw little power, so they allow more fixtures per transformer.
• Combine the work. If you need an exterior outlet, a new circuit or a panel upgrade, doing it in the same visit avoids a second trip. Our electrical team works across trades, and the same company can handle drywall, paint or tile touch-ups.
• Schedule lighting with other yard work. Trenching once saves labor.

Our perspective: plan the power before the fixtures

Most landscape lighting problems we see start with the power source, not the fixtures. A yard gets lights, then the transformer overloads, the outlet is too far away, or there is no dedicated circuit. Fixing that after the fact costs more than planning it.

That is why we treat lighting as electrical work first. We look at your panel capacity, your exterior outlets and your grounding, then design the layout around that. If your panel needs attention, we can address it in the same project, and if you are adding an EV charger or a generator, we can plan the circuits together.

Our team is licensed, in-house and handles plumbing, electrical and handyman work, so a lighting job that touches irrigation lines, a patio or a wall does not need three separate contractors. We give clear, upfront pricing and explain each line so you know what you are paying for.

Van Castaneda

Outdoor lighting from System Wide Services

If you want a quote built around your yard, our outdoor and landscape lighting page explains what we install, and our Long Beach electrician page covers the area we serve. We offer same-day response, clear communication and a 5.0 average customer rating. Call us or book online and we will walk the property with you.

If your project also involves a service panel, see our electrical panel upgrade page. Homeowners who want ongoing maintenance support can look at our VIP Club membership.

How to get an accurate quote

1. Walk the property at dusk. Note the paths, steps, trees and corners you want lit, and any dark spots.
2. Locate your power. Find the nearest exterior outlet and its breaker, and tell the contractor if you plan a pool or spa.
3. Set a budget range. Use the ranges above and decide whether you want the whole yard or phased zones.
4. Get a written, itemized estimate. Compare fixtures, transformer size, wire, controls and permits line by line.
5. Confirm licensing and permits. Ask who pulls the permit when one is required.
6. Plan a nighttime walkthrough. Adjust aim and brightness after installation.

FAQ

What is the average cost of installing landscape lighting?

Nationally, LawnStarter reports $2,000 to $4,500 with an average of $3,250. California estimates run higher, with ClearCost giving an average of $3,325. Your final price depends on fixture count, transformer size and wire runs.

Do you need an electrician to install landscape lighting?

For low-voltage systems that plug into an existing outlet, California generally does not require a licensed electrician. For a new 120V circuit, a dedicated breaker or a hardwired transformer, you need a permit and a licensed electrician. We recommend a professional for anything near a pool or spa.

How much does each light cost to install?

National guides put it at $100 to $200 per installed fixture. For California, ClearCost lists $150 to $500. Step lights and specialty fixtures sit at the high end.

Can I add lights later?

Yes, if the transformer has spare capacity. A 150W transformer handles 8 to 10 fixtures, and larger units handle more. Sizing up at the start leaves room to expand.

Sources

• LawnStarter: How Much Does Landscape Lighting Cost in 2026?
• Fixr: Outdoor Light Installation Cost
• Tru-Scapes: Outdoor Landscape Lighting Installation Cost 2026
• ClearCost: Outdoor Lighting Installation Cost in California
• Cost to Renovate: Landscape Lighting Cost in 2026
• VOLT Lighting: Low-Voltage vs Line-Voltage Landscape Lighting
• EXT Lighting: Do Permanent Outdoor Lights Need a Permit?
• PermitDeck: Electrical Permit Guide for California 2026
• Portfolio Lighting: Landscape Lighting Permit Requirements by State
• DoINeedAPermit: Complete Guide to Landscape Lighting Permits
• Jaspector: Long Beach, CA 2026 Building Permit Guide

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