People ask us about pricing before they've even seen our trucks. I understand why — nobody wants to schedule a consultation and then find out the service is completely out of range. So I'll explain what drives cost up or down, what the tiers look like, and what the corners look like when they get cut.
Everything here reflects actual installations in Palm Beach County. Not national averages. Not big-city Northeast pricing. South Florida, 2026.
"A quality installation done right will look better and last longer than a cheap one done carelessly. Price is not the same as quality."
What Drives Cost Up
More fixtures = higher cost, obviously. But fixture type matters too — a well light (in-ground) costs more than a standard spike mount. Specialty palm fixtures, wall washers, and underwater fixtures all carry premiums. Contact us for a free quote specific to your property.
Professional-grade brass fixtures cost 3–5× more than box-store alternatives and last 10–20× longer. Lower-quality fixtures struggle in South Florida's demanding climate — fixtures not built for the heat, humidity, and salt air simply won't hold up.
Properly buried cable (8–12" deep in lawn areas, conduit under driveways) takes more time and labor. This is a common place corners get cut. Budget installers surface-run wire or bury it at 2–3". Your landscaper will cut it within the year.
Smart Wi-Fi transformers cost significantly more than basic timers, and larger systems need multiple units. But a transformer sized correctly at 60–70% capacity — rather than maxed out — will last significantly longer and provide better light quality at distant fixtures.
Mounting fixtures 20–30 feet up in a tree canopy requires proper equipment and adds installation time. Moonlighting carries a premium over standard uplighting — the result is worth it, and we'll detail the cost in your free written proposal.
A 10,000 sq ft estate with a circular driveway, 20 specimen palms, and a pool costs more to illuminate than a 3,000 sq ft home with a simple front yard. More ground to cover = more cable runs = more labor = higher cost.
Where Budget Contractors Cut Corners
If you get a quote that seems dramatically lower than others, here's what you're probably not getting:
- Shallow cable burial — the #1 shortcut. Surface-run or shallowly buried wire is vulnerable to landscaping damage over time. Proper burial depth protects the system.
- Cheap fixtures — plastic housings, rubber seals (not silicone), IP44 ratings. They look fine in photos but don't hold up well to South Florida's climate over time.
- Maxed transformers — a transformer loaded at or near 100% capacity runs hotter and delivers inconsistent voltage to fixtures at the end of cable runs. Sizing with headroom is the right approach.
- No design plan — fixtures placed for convenience rather than effect. Random uplighting with no consideration for beam spread, angle, or layering.
- Inconsistent crews — some companies prioritize volume over consistency. The care put into the work reflects it.
The frustrating reality: most of these shortcuts are invisible until they cause a problem. A properly installed system and a budget installation can look similar on day one. By year two, the difference is obvious.
ROI: Does Landscape Lighting Pay Back?
Multiple real estate studies show landscape lighting increases perceived property value by 15–20%. For most Palm Beach County homes, the investment pays back many times over in perceived value alone — and that's before factoring in curb appeal, security, and enjoyment. The ROI is compelling.
Beyond value: professionally lit properties sell faster, photograph better, and show better for rentals. In the luxury segment (where most of our work happens), it's essentially table stakes — buyers expect it.
Annual Maintenance Costs
A well-installed LED system needs minimal ongoing maintenance. The main recurring costs to plan for are:
- Annual service visit — cleaning, re-aiming, connections check
- Post-hurricane inspection — re-aiming shifted fixtures after storm events
- Fixture replacement (rare) — only if damaged by landscaping crews or vehicles
- Energy cost — LED landscape lighting is extremely efficient; a full system costs very little to run monthly
Compare that to a halogen system: higher electricity, bulb replacements every 1–2 years per fixture, and higher heat causing additional wear. Over 10 years, the LED system costs less in maintenance than the halogen system does in bulb replacements alone.
Get a Detailed Quote for Your Property
We provide free consultations with detailed written proposals — fixture types, locations, transformer sizing, and total cost. No pressure, no obligation. We think you'll find our pricing competitive for the quality we deliver.
Get Free Quote (561) 206-4206