We recommend low-voltage LED lighting systems for most residential applications. Here’s why:

• Energy efficient: LED bulbs use 75% less energy than halogen and last 25,000+ hours
• Safe: 12-volt systems are safer to install and maintain than 120-volt line voltage
• Flexible: Low-voltage wire can be buried just a few inches deep without conduit in most areas
• Expandable: Easy to add fixtures later without major electrical work
• Long-lasting: Quality LED fixtures can last 15-20 years with minimal maintenance

Solar vs. low-voltage: Solar lights work well for accent areas with full sun exposure, but they’re less reliable for primary pathway lighting or areas shaded by trees. Low-voltage systems provide consistent, bright illumination regardless of weather or sun exposure.

The number of fixtures depends on your goals and property size. Here are general guidelines:

• Pathway lighting: One fixture every 8-10 feet along walkways
• Tree uplighting: 1-3 fixtures per tree depending on size and desired effect
• Architectural accent lighting: 2-6 fixtures per elevation to highlight columns, eaves, or architectural details
• Security lighting: One fixture at each entry point (front door, side gate, garage)
• Deck or patio: Post cap lights, step lights, or downlighting from pergolas

During your free consultation, we’ll walk your property and design a lighting plan that fits your budget and aesthetic goals. We can start with priority areas and expand the system later.

Strategic placement creates both beauty and function:

Landscape lighting costs vary based on system size and complexity:

• Basic pathway lighting (6-8 fixtures): $800-1,500
• Medium system (12-20 fixtures): $2,000-4,000
• Comprehensive lighting (20-40 fixtures): $4,000-8,000
• Large estate lighting (40+ fixtures): $8,000-15,000+

We provide free estimates with a detailed lighting plan so you know exactly what you’re getting. Call (951) 246-2751 to schedule a site visit.

DIY landscape lighting is possible if you’re handy and patient. Low-voltage systems are safer than line-voltage electrical work, so they’re more DIY-friendly. However, professional installation offers several advantages:

• Design expertise: We know how to position lights for maximum effect and minimal light pollution
• Proper wire sizing: Undersized wire causes voltage drop and dim lights at the end of runs
• Quality fixtures: We use commercial-grade fixtures that last decades, not big-box plastic fixtures that fail in 2-3 years
• Clean installation: Buried wire, hidden transformers, and fixtures that look integrated, not tacked on
• Warranty and service: If something stops working, we’ll diagnose and fix it

If you do DIY, avoid these common mistakes: overloading the transformer, using undersized wire for long runs, placing fixtures where they’ll be hit by lawnmowers, and failing to weatherproof connections properly.

Not necessarily. Most homeowners use timers or smart controls to run lights only during peak evening hours (sunset to 11pm or midnight). This saves energy and extends bulb life.

We typically recommend a combination: pathway and safety lights on dusk-to-dawn or until midnight, with accent lighting on shorter schedules for special occasions.

LED landscape lighting requires minimal maintenance:

• Annual tasks: Clean fixture lenses, check wire connections, trim back overgrown plants, re-aim fixtures that have shifted
• Every few years: Check transformer and timer function, tighten any loose mounting stakes
• As needed: Replace damaged fixtures (from lawnmowers, foot traffic, etc.)

Quality LED bulbs last 15-20 years, so you won’t be replacing bulbs constantly like with old halogen systems. The biggest maintenance issue is usually landscape growth—trees and shrubs grow and change how light falls, so fixtures may need re-aiming every few years.

We offer annual maintenance visits to keep your system looking its best. We’ll clean fixtures, check connections, adjust lighting as your landscape matures, and replace any failed components.

Not with LED systems. Here’s the math:

A typical 20-fixture LED landscape lighting system uses about 100 watts total (5 watts per fixture). If you run it 6 hours per night:

• 100 watts × 6 hours = 600 watt-hours = 0.6 kWh per night
• 0.6 kWh × 30 days = 18 kWh per month
• At $0.20 per kWh (typical SoCal rate) = $3.60 per month

That’s less than the cost of a latte for beautiful, safe outdoor lighting every night. Old halogen systems used 4-5 times more energy—yet another reason to upgrade to LED if you have an older system.