What Homeowners & Businesses Can Expect to Invest For Outdoor Lighting
If you’re researching outdoor lighting costs in the South Hills, you’ve probably noticed something quickly, pricing is rarely listed clearly. In our experience, that’s because no two properties are the same. Fixture count, layout, roofline height, electrical access, and overall design goals all play a role in the final cost.
At Larkin Outdoor Lighting, we design and install professional landscape lighting, architectural lighting, permanent OMNI RGB lighting, and holiday lighting throughout Pittsburgh’s South Hills, including McMurray, Peters Township, Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Canonsburg, South Fayette, Bridgeville, Sewickley, Moon Township, Venetia, Finleyville, and Thompsonville.
Below is a realistic look at what most homeowners and businesses in our area can expect to invest.
Landscape Lighting Cost
Landscape lighting typically includes path lights, tree uplighting, garden accents, patio lighting, and subtle architectural highlights.
In our experience, most front-yard lighting projects fall into three tiers:
Small Front Elevation (Under 2,500 sq ft home)
$2,500 – $4,500: Basic path lighting, 3–6 uplights, and transformer installation.
Mid-Size Home (2,500–4,000 sq ft)
$4,500 – $10,000: Expanded front lighting, multiple focal trees, entry lighting, and driveway illumination.
Larger or Estate Homes
$10,000 – $20,000+: Full front and partial backyard lighting, layered design, and higher fixture count.
If we could recommend one thing, it’s to avoid under-lighting. A balanced design almost always performs better than installing “just a few lights.”
You can learn more about our full Landscape Lighting Design Services on that page.
Permanent Outdoor Lighting Cost
Permanent lighting is typically priced by linear footage along the roofline.
As a Certified OMNI RGB Installer, we follow manufacturer guidelines for secure mounting, proper power planning, and clean integration. That certification matters, especially when a system is staying up year-round.
Residential Roofline Systems: $3,000 – $6,000 for most homes in the South Hills Larger homes or multi-level rooflines can range from: $6,000 – $12,000+
Commercial Buildings: Starting around $6,000 and scaling based on size and linear footage.
Permanent lighting gives you:
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- One professional installation
- WiFi and Bluetooth color control
- Custom scenes for holidays, sports events, and celebrations
- Everyday accent lighting when you want something subtle
Our clients choose permanent lighting because it eliminates the yearly holiday installation process altogether.
You can read more on our Permanent Outdoor Lighting page.
Holiday Lighting Installation Cost
Seasonal holiday lighting is typically priced annually and depends on roofline length, tree wrapping, and display complexity.
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- Small Home: $800 – $1,700 per season
- Mid-Size Home: $1,700 – $2,600 per season
- Larger Homes or Full Displays: $2,600 - $6,200+ per season
Commercial storefronts and buildings are custom quoted.
This includes:
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- Custom design
- Professional installation
- In-season maintenance
- Post-season removal and organized storage
If you’re installing year after year, many homeowners ask whether permanent lighting makes more financial sense long term.
Learn more on our Holiday Lighting Installation page.
Architectural Lighting Cost
Architectural lighting focuses on rooflines, columns, stonework, entryways, and vertical surfaces.
Typical Investment Range: $3,500 – $12,000+
Costs depend heavily on:
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- Home size and height
- Type of exterior material (brick, stone, siding)
- Desired wash vs accent lighting
- Accessibility and installation complexity
Our clients often ask if architectural lighting is worth it. In our experience, this is where curb appeal changes dramatically. When done correctly, it adds depth and structure that standard floodlights never achieve.
Explore more details on our Architectural Lighting Services page.
