If you’re thinking about upgrading your property with professional landscape lighting, chances are one of the first questions you’re asking is:
“How much is this going to cost me?”
It’s the right question. And around here at TLC Incorporated, we believe in tackling it head-on. No mystery. No vague answers. No “it depends” baloney.
That’s why we built our Landscape Lighting Estimator.
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We designed to give you a real-deal, no-pressure, ballpark cost for your outdoor lighting project—right from your phone or laptop.
But… there’s a but.
Even though it’s powerful, our estimator isn’t magic. It’s not going to crawl your property, peek under your bushes, or tell you exactly how many path lights you need next to your koi pond.
So in this guide, we’re going to walk you through how our lighting estimator works, what it’s great at, and what it just can’t do until we step foot on your property.
Let’s dig in.
Why We Built the Estimator in the First Place
We’ve been installing landscape lighting systems across Maryland and beyond for more than 40 years. You know what hasn’t changed in four decades?
People want answers. Fast. Clear. No runaround.
I’m always hearing from folks … Bob … how much is this going to cost? I need a price for my budget.
But outdoor lighting isn’t exactly like buying a new grill. There’s a lot to consider: – Linear footage – Number of zones – Type and quality of fixtures – Access to electrical – Landscaping and terrain conditions
If someone just wants to know, “Are we talking about $1,000 or $10,000?” — they shouldn’t have to book an appointment or wait three days for a call-back.
So we made the estimator.
You plug in a few simple details. It kicks back a price range. Easy. Done.
But now comes the part that most companies don’t want to say out loud…
What the Estimator Does (And Does Well)
Our estimator isn’t some fluffy calculator that spits out junk numbers. It’s built on real data from thousands of jobs we’ve completed, right here in the Mid-Atlantic.
It’ll give you a pretty solid price range based on:
- The areas you want to light (driveway, backyard, pool area, walkways, etc.)
- How extensive the coverage is (basic vs enhanced vs full coverage)
- The size of your property or zones (small patio vs estate-level lighting)
- Fixture quality (entry-level vs premium options)
Once you hit submit, it’ll generate a projected range for your project—typically within a few hundred dollars of the final installed price in straightforward cases.
That means if your project is pretty standard—like some elegant path lights along your walkway and soft uplighting on a few trees—the estimator gets you close. Not perfect, but close enough to decide whether to move forward.
But if your yard has quirks (and let’s be honest, most do), here’s what the estimator can’t see…
What the Estimator Can’t Tell You
This is where a lot of companies get squeamish. They want their tool to look all-knowing. But that’s not real life, and it sure isn’t real landscaping.
Here are some of the real-world variables the estimator can’t account for:
1. Site Conditions
Is your yard flat and open? Or is it tiered with retaining walls, water features, and a slope toward the woods?
The estimator doesn’t know.
We might need to use specialty fixtures, directional trenching, or extra conduit—none of which shows up in a simple form.
2. Power Access
Do you have outdoor GFCI outlets where we can plug in a transformer? Or do we need to coordinate with an electrician?
Again, the tool can’t crawl behind your bushes and check.
3. Obstacles and Labor Intensity
If we’re digging through rocky soil or navigating around hardscapes, the labor cost changes.
Sometimes we’ll spend hours threading wire through conduit under a flagstone path—something no estimator can predict.
4. Design Decisions
Lighting isn’t just technical—it’s visual. Ambience, mood, highlights. The estimator doesn’t know if you’re going for dramatic architectural lighting or a soft garden glow.
That comes from talking with you, walking the site, and using our years of design experience.
5. Local Codes and HOA Rules
Some neighborhoods have strict rules about light placement, brightness, or even fixture style.
That doesn’t show up in a dropdown menu either.
What the Estimator Is Really For
The goal of our estimator isn’t to give you a quote.
The goal is to give you clarity.
It’s designed to answer that early question we all have:
“Is landscape lighting in the ballpark for me?”
It’s a conversation starter. A trust builder. A reality check.
And it does that job really well.
What Happens After You Use It
Once you plug in your info and get your estimated range, you’ll have two choices:
- Take a breath, digest the info, and do nothing for now. That’s totally fine.
- Or book a free design consultation, where one of our lighting pros comes to your property, listens to your goals, evaluates your site, and builds a custom quote.
No pressure. No pushy sales.
We’re not here to close deals in one call. We’re here to build long-term customer relationships based on trust and transparency.
And that starts with giving you the honest, unvarnished truth about how outdoor lighting pricing really works.
What to Do Next
If you haven’t already, go try out the estimator. It takes about 90 seconds. No strings.
Then, if you like what you see and want to go deeper, book a walkthrough. We’ll bring the tape measure, the vision, and the same loud honesty you’ve just read here.
Because lighting is more than just fixtures. It’s safety. It’s beauty. It’s home.
Let’s make yours shine.