How Much Does Landscape Lighting Installation Cost in Brentwood, CA? (2026)

Average Cost

$5,140–$13,898

Materials

$3,492–$9,965

Labor (East Bay)

$462–$726

Labor rates in East Bay are +20% compared to Sacramento Metro baseline.

Landscape lighting transforms your yard with strategically placed path lights, uplights, spotlights, and well lights. We install professional-grade low-voltage (12V) LED landscape lighting systems that are safe, energy-efficient, and easy to expand. The project includes placing a weather-rated transformer near an outdoor outlet, running direct-burial cable to each fixture location, installing fixtures with proper aiming and spacing, and connecting to a timer or smart controller. LED landscape fixtures use 80% less energy than halogen and last 40,000+ hours. We design layouts that highlight architectural features, illuminate walkways for safety, and create dramatic garden lighting effects.

NorCal's mild year-round climate makes outdoor living spaces highly usable. Landscape lighting extends evening enjoyment of gardens and patios during the long summer days and shorter winter evenings.

Brentwood is located in Contra Costa County (East Bay). Fast-growing suburb with master-planned communities. The local utility provider is PG&E.

Cost Calculator

Adjust details to get your estimate

City

Fixtures

Materials Included

LED Path Light or Spotlight (brass/copper, 3-5W)100 each

$2,500–$8,000

Low-Voltage Transformer (300W, multi-tap, timer)1 unit

$120–$280

12/2 Direct-Burial Landscape Cable (per 100 ft)20 roll

$700–$1,300

Waterproof Wire Connectors (gel-filled)20 bag

$160–$360

Wire Hub / Junction Box (for multi-run layouts)1 each

$12–$25

Labor(East Bay +20%)

Landscape Lighting Installer5h @ $72–$114/hr

$360–$570

Licensed Electrician (transformer/outlet)1h @ $102–$156/hr

$102–$156

Contractor Markup30%

0%Avg 30%100%

Materials

$3,492–$9,965

Labor

$462–$726

Markup

$1,186–$3,207

Estimated Total Cost

$5,140 – $13,898

$514–$1,390 per unit

Want Your Exact Price?

This is an estimate. Get a precise, no-obligation quote from licensed contractors.

Call (916) 476-7689 Get Free Quote

California Building Code

Low-voltage landscape lighting (Class 2, under 30V) does not require an electrical permit in most California jurisdictions. However, the 120V transformer connection must be to a GFCI-protected outdoor outlet installed by a licensed electrician. NEC Article 411 governs low-voltage lighting systems.

Project Timeline

Design & Layout

30-60 min

Walk the property at dusk to identify key areas for illumination. Plan fixture placement for pathways, trees, architectural features, and garden beds. Design the cable routing and transformer location.

Transformer & Cable Installation

1-2 hrs

Mount the transformer near an exterior GFCI outlet. Trench cable runs 4-6 inches deep along planting beds and pathways. Run cables to each fixture zone using a hub-and-spoke or daisy-chain layout.

Fixture Installation

1-3 hrs

Install each fixture at the planned location, connect to the cable run with waterproof connectors, aim spotlights and uplights, and secure path lights at the correct height.

Programming & Adjustment

30 min

Program the transformer timer for dusk-to-dawn or custom schedules. Walk the property at night to adjust fixture aim, brightness, and spacing. Verify all connections are waterproof.

Materials Breakdown

Material	Qty	Unit	Unit Cost	Total
LED Path Light or Spotlight (brass/copper, 3-5W)	100	each	$25–$80	$2,500–$8,000
Low-Voltage Transformer (300W, multi-tap, timer)	1	unit	$120–$280	$120–$280
12/2 Direct-Burial Landscape Cable (per 100 ft)	20	roll	$35–$65	$700–$1,300
Waterproof Wire Connectors (gel-filled)	20	bag	$8–$18	$160–$360
Wire Hub / Junction Box (for multi-run layouts)	1	each	$12–$25	$12–$25

Landscape Lighting Installation in Brentwood — FAQ

How much does landscape lighting cost?+

Professional landscape lighting installation in NorCal costs $150-$350 per fixture installed, including the fixture, wiring, and labor. A typical 10-fixture system runs $2,000-$4,000 including the transformer. Premium brass and copper fixtures cost more but last decades.

Is low-voltage landscape lighting safe?+

Yes. Low-voltage (12V) landscape lighting is inherently safe — there's no shock risk even if a wire is cut or exposed. No electrical permit is required for low-voltage landscape lighting in most NorCal jurisdictions, though the transformer connection to 120V must follow code.

How long do LED landscape lights last?+

Quality LED landscape fixtures last 40,000-50,000 hours (15-20 years at 8 hours/night). Brass and copper fixtures outlast the LED modules — we can replace just the LED when needed. Avoid cheap plastic fixtures that degrade in UV light.

Can I add more lights to my system later?+

Yes. Low-voltage systems are easily expandable. We size the transformer with 20% spare capacity for future additions. Adding fixtures later simply requires running cable to the new location and tapping into an existing run.