From subtle pathway bollards to dramatic tree uplighting, garden lighting transforms outdoor spaces. This guide breaks down every cost — LED fittings, SWA cable, labour, trenching, controls, and certification — so you know exactly what to expect.
Free for 7 days · No charge until day 8 · Cancel anytime · Used by 1,000+ UK electricians
Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.
A simple pathway scheme of 4 to 6 LED lights on one circuit typically costs £500 to £1,000 fitted. A mid-range garden with pathway, deck and feature lights across two circuits runs £1,200 to £2,500. A comprehensive landscape scheme with multiple zones, long SWA runs and smart controls reaches £3,000 to £5,000 or more. Trenching and cable runs are usually the biggest cost driver, not the fittings.
1,000+
UK electricians
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer — DP Electrical
Garden lighting is one of the most satisfying electrical projects — the results are immediately visible, the homeowner gets to enjoy their outdoor space after dark, and the transformation from a dark garden to a professionally lit landscape is dramatic. It is also a high-margin job for electricians who know how to design and quote it properly.
From subtle pathway bollards to dramatic tree uplighting, from secure motion-activated floodlights to cosy deck lighting for summer entertaining — the range of garden lighting options is enormous. The costs vary just as widely, depending on the number of fittings, the cable runs, the control system, and the complexity of the installation.
This guide covers the real costs of garden lighting installation in 2026 — materials, labour, cable, and certification. It also explains the regulatory requirements under BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 Section 714 that apply to outdoor lighting installations. For the regulatory detail on its own, see our garden lighting regulations guide and the wider outdoor electrics guide.
Every key change in the 2026 amendment on one page. AFDDs, TN-C-S protection, new schedule columns, model forms. Pinned on your van dash.
Understanding the different types of garden lighting helps you scope the project correctly and quote with confidence. Here are the main categories:
LED post lights and bollards for paths, driveways, and garden borders. The everyday workhorse of a scheme — used to mark routes and edges for safe navigation after dark. Budget for 4 to 8 fittings for a typical garden path.
Recessed low-profile LED fittings for timber decking, steps, and retaining walls. Usually installed in groups of 6 to 12 for consistent coverage across a deck area and to wash steps for safety.
In-ground or spike-mounted uplights for trees, walls, and architectural features. These are the fittings that create the "wow factor" — the dramatic effect that sells a full scheme to the homeowner.
Motion-activated LED floodlights for driveways, side passages, and rear gardens. Usually 2 to 4 fittings per property covering all approach areas, often wall-mounted and surface-wired without trenching.
The best garden lighting schemes combine several types — pathway lights for safe navigation, uplights for visual drama, and security lights for safety. A layered approach creates depth and interest while serving practical needs.
The material costs for a garden lighting installation break down into the light fittings themselves, the cable, the consumer unit connection, and the control system.
Total material costs for a garden lighting installation range from approximately £200 for a simple 4-fitting scheme to £1,500+ for a comprehensive multi-zone installation with premium fittings and smart controls.
The labour component of garden lighting is often the largest cost element, primarily because of the time required to dig cable trenches. Trenching by hand through established garden soil is hard physical work.
Total labour cost for a garden lighting installation: £350 to £800 for a typical domestic project. Larger schemes with extensive trenching, multiple zones, and complex control systems can exceed £1,000 in labour alone.
Here are realistic total costs for different garden lighting projects in 2026, including all materials, labour, testing, and certification.
| Project type | Fittings | Typical total |
|---|---|---|
| Security lighting only Wall-mounted LED floodlights with PIR sensors, surface-wired from the consumer unit. No trenching if mounted on the house exterior. | 2 – 4 | £300 – £700 |
| Simple pathway scheme Budget fittings, short cable run, single circuit, photocell control. Ideal for a front path or short garden walkway. | 4 – 6 | £500 – £1,000 |
| Mid-range garden scheme Mix of pathway, deck and feature lights across two circuits. SWA runs of 20 to 40 metres. Astronomical time switch or smart controller. | 8 – 15 | £1,200 – £2,500 |
| Comprehensive landscape Multiple zones with independent switching, premium fittings, SWA runs exceeding 50 metres, smart home integration and professional lighting design. | 15 – 30+ | £3,000 – £5,000+ |
Elec-Mate's quoting app helps you build detailed, itemised quotes for garden lighting projects.
Try it free for 7 days
Professional quotes with the remedial estimator, then invoice from your phone the moment the work is done. From £6.99/mo.
Try the quoting tools freeSection 714 of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 contains the particular requirements for outdoor lighting installations. Regulation 714.1 sets the scope to cover one or more luminaires, a wiring system and accessories for places including gardens, parks, car parks, driveways and places open to the public. The table below lists the regulations most relevant to a domestic garden lighting job.
| Regulation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 714.1 | Scope — applies to outdoor lighting comprising luminaires, a wiring system and accessories, including gardens, car parks, driveways and places open to the public. Excludes temporary festoon lighting and luminaires fixed to the outside of a building and supplied directly from that building's internal wiring. |
| 714.410.3.6 | The protective measures of non-conducting location (Regulation 418.1) and earth-free local equipotential bonding (Regulation 418.2) shall not be used. |
| 714.411.201 | Where automatic disconnection of supply is the protective measure, all live parts must have basic protection by insulation, barrier or enclosure. A door in street furniture used for access shall not be used as the barrier or enclosure. |
| 714.411.2.201 | For a luminaire less than 2.80m above ground level, access to the light source shall only be possible after removing a barrier or enclosure requiring the use of a tool — preventing casual contact with live parts. |
| 714.411.3.4 | Except for lighting supplied from a SELV source, outdoor lighting accessible to the public must have additional protection by an RCD with the rated residual operating current specified in Regulation 415.1.1 (30mA). |
| 714.411.202 | A maximum disconnection time of 5 seconds applies to circuits feeding fixed equipment used in highway power supplies (for compliance with 411.3.2.3 in a TN system or 411.3.2.4 in a TT system). |
Domestic garden takeaways: use IP-rated fittings suited to each location, provide 30mA RCD protection (Regulation 411.3.4 requires it for all AC final circuits supplying luminaires within domestic premises), use SWA for direct-buried runs so the armour acts as the protective conductor and mechanical protection (Regulation 522.8.10), and ensure all outdoor connections use IP-rated enclosures.
Selecting the correct IP (Ingress Protection) rating for each fitting is essential for safety and longevity. Using a fitting with an inadequate IP rating in an exposed location leads to premature failure, potential electric shock, and will fail an inspection. Match the rating to the location using the quick reference below.
| Location | Min. IP |
|---|---|
| Under a porch, canopy or pergola (sheltered) | IP44 |
| Exposed walls, bollards, post lights (open weather) | IP65 |
| In-ground uplights, driveway and flood-prone spots | IP67 |
| Pond, fountain and permanently submerged fittings | IP68 |
Protected against solid objects greater than 1mm and splashing water from any direction. Minimum for sheltered outdoor locations such as under a porch, canopy, or pergola. Not suitable for exposed locations.
Dust-tight and protected against water jets from any direction. The standard rating for most exposed garden lighting including wall lights, bollards, and post lights. Suitable for UK weather conditions.
Dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion in water (up to 1 metre for 30 minutes). Required for in-ground uplights, driveway lights, and fittings in locations that may flood temporarily after heavy rain.
Dust-tight and protected against continuous immersion in water beyond 1 metre. Required for pond lights, water feature lighting, and any permanently submerged installation. Submerged fittings are normally run at extra-low voltage (SELV/PELV) for safety.
Always specify IP ratings on your quote and in the design documentation. Selecting the correct IP rating for each location demonstrates professional competence and protects you from liability if a fitting fails prematurely.
Garden lighting is a high-margin job with strong upselling potential. A homeowner who starts with "a couple of lights on the path" can often be guided toward a more comprehensive scheme once they see a professional design proposal. The key to winning these jobs is presenting a clear, itemised quote that shows the value.
Use Elec-Mate's quoting app to build itemised garden lighting quotes. List each fitting type, cable quantities, junction boxes, controls, labour for trenching, installation, testing, and certification. Professional PDF sent to the customer.
Garden lighting cable runs are often long relative to the load. Use the cable sizing calculator to confirm 1.5mm2 SWA is adequate or whether 2.5mm2 is needed for voltage drop compliance on longer runs.
Complete the EIC on site after testing. Document the outdoor circuit, SWA cable details, IP ratings of installed fittings, and test results. Instant PDF export to the homeowner.
Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate for professional quoting, cable sizing, and on-site EIC certification.
Try it free for 7 daysVerified reviews from the UK App Store.
Elec-Mate is my go to app for business and electrical work. It's feature rich without feeling cluttered. A true all in one app for quotes, certs, calculations, RAMS, EICRs, and more. I use it every day without fail, and it makes my workflow much smoother since I'm not jumping between apps anymore. The price-to-feature ratio is excellent. Any issues I've had, the developer responds within the hour and usually fixes them the same day. 100% recommend.
I've used the app and the web based version for a while now and it's well worth the investment. If you're an apprentice or experienced Spark give it a go, you won't be disappointed.
I've been using Elec-Mate for a while now, and honestly, it's one of the best apps I've ever downloaded. Every aspect of it feels thoughtfully designed, from the clean and intuitive interface to the powerful features that make everything so easy to manage. It's clear that a lot of care and attention went into building this app, and it shows in every detail.
Real feedback from real sparks
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer
Sole Trader · DP Electrical
“I've won two contracts this month because I could turn quotes around same-day with the AI cost engineer.”
Nathan Perry
Electrician · NP Electrical Services
“The study centre got me through my AM2. Mock exams and flashcards are brilliant.”
Jake Pizey
3rd Year Apprentice · Apprentice
Join 1,000+ UK electricians using Elec-Mate for cable sizing, itemised quoting, and on-site EIC certification. Win more outdoor lighting work with professional quotes. 7-day free trial, cancel anytime.
“Replaced three separate apps with Elec-Mate. Certs, quotes, and scheduling all in one place.”
Daniel Palmer, DP Electrical
From £6.99/mo after trial — less than a coffee a week
We use cookies to improve the app and measure what works. Cookie Policy