How much does it cost to install exterior lighting around my Toronto home?

A basic exterior lighting package for a GTA home — covering front porch, side door, rear deck, and garage — typically runs $1,500 to $3,500 installed, while a comprehensive system including landscape lighting, pathway lights, and architectural uplighting can reach $3,000 to $8,000 or more. The wide range reflects the enormous difference between replacing a couple of wall-mount fixtures and designing a complete outdoor lighting system with multiple circuits, transformers, and dozens of fixtures.

For straightforward fixture replacements — swapping old porch lights and garage lights for new LED wall sconces — the cost is $200 to $400 per fixture installed if you're using existing wiring and electrical boxes. This is the most common exterior lighting project in the GTA, and in many cases, replacing like-for-like fixtures doesn't require an ESA permit. However, if any new wiring or circuits are involved, a permit is mandatory.

Adding new exterior light locations where none exist currently — such as lighting up a dark side yard, adding soffit potlights under an overhang, or installing wall washers to highlight stonework — requires running new circuits from the panel, installing weatherproof junction boxes, and using outdoor-rated wiring methods. Each new fixture location on a new circuit costs $300 to $600 installed. All outdoor outlets and fixtures must be on GFCI-protected circuits per the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, and any fixture within reach from ground level needs to be properly rated for wet locations.

Landscape lighting systems — pathway lights, garden uplights, deck post lights, and tree spotlights — are typically low-voltage (12V) systems powered by a transformer connected to a standard outdoor outlet. A professionally installed landscape lighting system with 10 to 20 fixtures, a quality transformer, and direct-burial cable runs $2,000 to $5,000 in the GTA. The transformer and its connection to the house's electrical system require a licensed electrician, though the low-voltage fixture placement and cable routing is sometimes handled by a landscaper.

Toronto's climate is a serious consideration for exterior lighting. Fixtures must be rated for wet locations and able to handle temperature swings from -25°C in January to +35°C in July. Cheap fixtures from big-box stores often corrode within two or three seasons, so investing in quality marine-grade or powder-coated aluminum fixtures saves money long-term. Ice buildup on soffit lights and wall sconces is common in GTA winters, so your electrician should mount fixtures with proper drainage clearance and use stainless steel hardware that won't seize from freeze-thaw corrosion. If you're planning exterior lighting for your home, Toronto Electrical Repair can connect you with licensed electricians who specialize in outdoor installations across the Greater Toronto Area.