Outdoor lighting installation: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering outdoor lighting installation

Outdoor lighting is a layout and weatherproofing job, and the customer sees the result every night. Electricians who win repeat business plan the sightlines, protect the cable and connections, and explain how the system will be maintained.

What customers ask

  • Will the cable be safe in my lawn and beds?
  • Can you put the transformer in a spot that is protected from rain?
  • How long will the lights last in wet weather?
  • Can I control them from my phone or with a timer?
  • Will the trench be left in good shape?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what the customer wants to see at night and where people walk. Those answers set the fixture layout.
  • Bring a layout sketch with the fixture spacing and the cable route, and mark the utility locates on the site with the customer.
  • Show the transformer location and explain why it is protected from water and heat.
  • Quote trenching, hardscape and restoration as separate lines, so the customer sees the full site work.
  • Test each fixture after dark, and walk the customer through the timer or sensor settings on site.
  • Give the customer a written note with the cable route and the transformer location, so future digging is safe.

What to put on your profile

  • Photos of finished outdoor lighting at night, showing the layout and fixture spread
  • Examples of transformer installs with the protected location visible
  • Trenching and restoration photos showing lawn or bed repair after the work

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a seasonal check of fixture seals and connections, with the results written up for the homeowner
  • Suggest adding a motion sensor or timer for areas where lights are often left on
  • Offer to extend the system to a new area later, with the cable route planned now

Licenses and permits

Outdoor lighting work is commonly performed under an electrical contractor license when it ties into house power or uses line voltage. Check with your state or local licensing agency and building department for the rules that apply to outdoor circuits and burial work.

Questions

Who calls for the utility locates?

Confirm who will make the call before any digging starts. The call is often made by the installer, and the homeowner should know when it is scheduled.

How do I handle a fixture that is not rated for wet locations?

Do not install it in a wet area. Tell the customer what rating is needed, and show them the rated option in the same finish. Put the choice in writing.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

More electrical guides for pros

Start here

About this guide

Get outdoor lighting installation requests

Customers pick you by name. Signup is free, and you pay only for leads you accept.

Join as a pro
Sign up free