How Much Does Outdoor Lighting Cost in Iowa?
January 8th, 2026
4 min read
If you’ve been trying to figure out what outdoor lighting actually costs, you’ve probably noticed something: everyone online talks around the price but never just says it. One place gives you a range so wide it feels like a weather forecast, another one says “it depends,” like that actually helps, and before you know it, you’re three tabs deep, wondering why getting a simple number feels like trying to order off a secret menu.
At Integra Electrical, we install outdoor lighting in older Iowa homes every day. We know what really affects the price, and we also know how annoying it feels when companies treat cost like it’s classified information. You’re just trying to light your yard, not negotiate a hostage situation. We get it.
Before the end of this article, you will know:
Average Price of Outdoor Lighting Installation
For most Iowa homes, outdoor lighting installation with Integra Electrical ranges from $350 to $650 per light, all-in. That number includes the fixture, materials, wiring, labor, and making sure the system is built to last. If you’re doing a full walkway, garden bed, or front-of-house setup, most homeowners end up choosing 6 to 12 lights, which usually places the total project somewhere between $2,100 and $7,800.
That’s a big range, but outdoor lighting works a lot like choosing seats at a concert. The view is always better with more lights... but you don’t have to buy the entire front row to make things look amazing.
If you only need one or two accent lights, your total will be on the lower side. If you’re lighting a long path, multiple landscape beds, or a whole front elevation, your total naturally goes up with the number of fixtures.
What Drives the Cost of Outdoor Lighting Up
A few things can raise the price of outdoor lighting. These are normal variables we see every week, and here is exactly how each one affects the total project cost.
More Fixtures
Each fixture costs $350 to $650. Adding more lights increases the total. This is the biggest one. Outdoor lighting is a per fixture project, so more lights simply mean a higher overall price. Most homeowners do not realize how quickly this adds up until they start picturing how they want the space to look at night.
Longer Wire Runs
This usually adds $50 to $150 to the total project cost for longer distances between lights. If lights are spaced far apart, wrap around the house, or require longer routing, we need more wiring and more installation time. That distance usually adds a small amount to the total job.
Hard to Access Areas
Usually adds $100 to $400 to the total project cost depending on difficulty. Rock beds, dense shrubs, edging, or buried surprises like sprinkler lines slow us down. This is a labor factor, not a fixture factor. It simply adds to the total cost because the installation takes longer.
Older Home Wiring Challenges
Usually adds $150 to $500 to the total project cost. Many Iowa homes do not have ideal exterior wiring setups. If the panel, circuits, or exterior outlets need a small upgrade to safely support the lighting, it adds to the total project.
Specialty or Smart Fixtures
Usually adds $100 to $300 per specialty fixture compared to standard LEDs.)
If you choose lights that change color, connect to an app, or are architectural grade, those fixtures cost more than standard LEDs. This increases the cost of each specialty fixture, but it does not change the labor cost.
What Drives the Cost of Outdoor Lighting Down
A few things can keep your outdoor lighting project on the lower end. These do not reduce quality. They simply make the job simpler or reduce the number of paid components in the project.
Fewer Fixtures
Less fixtures can save $350 to $650 per light you do not add. This lowers the total project cost. Since outdoor lighting is priced per fixture, choosing fewer lights directly reduces the total. Many homeowners start small and expand later.
Shorter Wire Runs
When there are shorter wire runs, it can save $50 to $150 on the total project cost. If the lights are close together or positioned in a simple pattern, we use less wiring and spend less time routing it. This lowers the overall job cost, not the price of each fixture.
Easy Access Areas
Saves $100 to $300 on the total project cost. Open mulch beds, simple landscaping, or clear soil make installation faster. This affects the overall labor, not the cost of any individual light.
Standard LED Fixtures
Choosing Standard LED Fixture can save $100 to $300 per fixture compared to smart or specialty lights. Choosing standard LEDs instead of app controlled, color changing, or architectural grade fixtures lowers the price of each fixture that uses standard components.
Bundling With Another Project
This can save $100 to $250 on the total project cost. If we are already at your home for another electrical project, we can combine setup, labor, and travel. This reduces the total cost of the job.
Your Next Steps
If outdoor lighting has been on your mind for a while, the best place to start is with a simple plan. You do not have to know how many lights you need or where they should go. That is our job. You just need a clear idea of how you want the space to feel at night.
At Integra Electrical, we help homeowners map out a lighting design that fits their yard and their budget. Once you know the real numbers and the options that make sense for your home, the whole project feels a lot less overwhelming.
If you want to explore what this could look like, you can schedule a time that works for you. We will walk through your home, answer every question, and give you upfront pricing so you can move forward when you are ready.
Outdoor Lighting Frequently Asked Questions
How long does outdoor lighting installation usually take?
Most projects take one day. Larger layouts or harder access areas may take a little longer.
Can I mix new lighting with my old system?
Yes. In many cases you can keep working fixtures and replace the rest. We will test your existing wiring to make sure everything is safe.
Can outdoor lighting be installed in winter?
Yes. As long as the ground is not frozen solid, we can install lighting year round in Iowa.
Do you help with the lighting design?
Yes. We walk the yard with you, talk through ideas, and create a simple layout that fits your home and your budget.
Ben Carpenter is the founder and President of Integra Electrical, a Class A Master Electrician, and licensed contractor with over 30 years of hands-on experience. Since 1993, he’s been dedicated to helping homeowners across Iowa with reliable, safety-focused electrical repairs—making homes safer, one job at a time.
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