Professional Landscape Lighting Installation in London, Kitchener & Niagara, Ontario
Your yard looks great during the day, but what does it look like at 9 PM? Professional landscape lighting extends the beauty of your property into the evening, improves security, and adds to home value. Since Blue Jay Irrigation already installs and services irrigation systems, we know your property underground and above. One trench, one crew and one contractor for both.
Types of Landscape Lighting
Path and Walkway Lighting
This is the most common first landscape lighting installation, using low-profile fixtures along walkways, driveways and garden paths to provide safety and wayfinding after dark.
Uplighting / Accent Lighting
Fixtures aimed upward at trees, architectural features, or focal plants. It helps to create dramatic depth and shadows, transforming a plain yard into a designed space.
Downlighting / Moonlighting
Fixtures mounted high in trees, aimed down to simulate moonlight. Soft, natural-looking ambient light for entertaining areas. Most often found in patios, fire pits and decks.
Deck and Step Lighting
Built-in or surface-mounted fixtures for safety on elevated surfaces. Highly design-forward when done well. Often integrated with a broader plan.
Security and Flood Lighting
Higher-output fixtures for property perimeters. Deters opportunistic theft and illuminates dark corners. Motion-activated options available.
Landscape Lighting Design Principles
- Focal points: It's true when they say, less is more. Over-lighting is the most common DIY mistake. Professional design identifies 3 to 5 focal points and builds around them.
- Layers of light: Ground level (path, step), plus mid-level (accent, flood) and overhead (moonlight) create depth. Each layer serves a different purpose.
- Colour temperature: Warm white (2700–3000K) for residential due to its inviting and natural feeling. Cool white (4000K+) reads commercial. LED makes warm white efficient and long-lasting.
- Control options: Timer, dusk-to-dawn sensor, or smart system with app control and home automation integration.
LED vs. Low-Voltage Halogen — What We Install and Why
Landscape Lighting in Ontario's Climate
Ontario averages 50+ freeze-thaw cycles per year. LED fixtures with brass or composite housings are essential as incandescent bulbs fail under repeated thermal cycling. Transformers should be installed above the frost line and protected from moisture during spring melt.
Ontario's short winter days mean your property is dark by 4:30 PM from November through February. Landscape lighting gets 14+ hours of use during those months. Path lights double as winter safety lighting on icy walkways.
How Much Does Landscape Lighting Cost in London?
Factors that affect price:
- Fixture quality (brass vs. composite vs. plastic)
- Transformer size and smart control options
- Wire run distance and property complexity
- Whether trenching is shared with irrigation (saves significantly)
| Package | Fixtures | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic path lighting | 10–15 fixtures | $1,800 – $3,200 |
| Mid-range full property | 20–30 fixtures | $4,000 – $8,000 |
| Premium estate install | 30+ fixtures | $10,000+ |
| Bundled with irrigation installation | Any | Save $600–$900 in shared trenching |
Please note: These are London market rates as of 2026. Your quote will reflect your specific property.
Why Your Irrigation Company Is the Best Call For Landscape Lighting
- We already know your yard, where the lines run, the grade changes, and the soil conditions
- We pull your existing irrigation zone map before routing a single wire – no blind digging
- Shared trenching saves $600–$900 versus hiring a separate contractor
- One spring startup call covers both irrigation and lighting
- One warranty, one contractor and one invoice. A simpler process for you, the homeowner
The Blue Jay Irrigation Lighting Process
- Complimentary consultation: Walk the property (at dusk if possible), identify focal points and goals
- Design: Fixture selection, placement map, control system recommendation
- Installation: Typically 1 day for residential scope (April through October)
- Walkthrough: We demo every fixture, show you the controller, and document the layout
- Annual checkup: Lens cleaning, fixture adjustment, transformer check (bundled with irrigation startup)
Landscape Lighting Ideas for London Properties
Front yard curb appeal:
- Uplighting a mature tree creates an immediate visual anchor for the front of the house
- Path lighting along the front walk, welcoming and functional
- Façade accent lighting helps to wash the front of the house for a striking evening appearance
Backyard entertaining:
- Moonlighting in a large tree over a patio. Best ambient lighting for outdoor gatherings
- Step lighting on a deck is ideal for not only style but safety
- Perimeter accent lighting on a fence or hedge helps to define the space
Areas We Serve
London, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Guelph, Barrie, Collingwood, and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does landscape lighting cost in Ontario?
A: Basic packages for a standard residential property typically range from $1,800 to $3,500 installed. Full-property designs with 20+ fixtures and smart controls range from $4,000 to $10,000+. Pricing depends on fixture count, quality, and property complexity. Bundling with irrigation installation saves $600–$900 in shared trenching.
Q: What type of landscape lighting is best for Ontario winters?
A: LED low-voltage fixtures with weatherproof brass or composite housings are the best choice for Ontario's freeze-thaw climate. Avoid incandescent fixtures as they fail faster under repeated thermal cycling. Ontario averages 50+ freeze-thaw cycles per year, so housing material matters significantly.
Q: Do I need a permit for landscape lighting in Ontario?
A: Low-voltage systems (typically 12V) do not require a building permit in most Ontario municipalities. However, the transformer's connection to your home's electrical panel must be done by or inspected by a licensed electrician under Ontario Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) rules. Blue Jay handles this coordination.
Q: Can landscape lighting be added to an existing irrigation system?
A: Yes, and it's significantly more cost-efficient when done by the same contractor. Wiring conduit can share the same trenches as irrigation lines, reducing excavation and restoration costs by $600–$900. We already know your property's underground layout from the irrigation work.
Q: Can landscape lighting run in winter in Ontario?
A: Yes. Low-voltage LED landscape lighting operates safely year-round, including through Ontario winters. Path lights are especially valued for safety during dark winter evenings. Fixtures should be inspected in spring for wire damage caused by ground heave.
Q: How long does landscape lighting installation take?
A: Most residential installs in London, Kitchener, and Niagara take one to two days, depending on property size and fixture count. A basic path lighting package can often be completed in half a day.
Q: Does landscape lighting add value to a home in Ontario?
A: Yes. Outdoor lighting improves curb appeal, extends usable outdoor hours, and deters opportunistic theft. Home staging professionals consistently list exterior lighting as one of the highest-ROI improvements before listing a property.
Q: Why should I hire my irrigation company for landscape lighting?
A: Blue Jay already knows your property, where the underground lines run, the grade changes, and the soil conditions. A lighting-only contractor starts from scratch and risks damaging your irrigation system. With us, you get shared trenching, one warranty, one spring startup call, and one team for everything underground.
See What Your Yard Looks Like After Dark
Landscape lighting transforms a good-looking property into a great-looking one. Enjoy a complimentary design consultation where we'll walk your property and show you what's possible. Serving London, Kitchener, Niagara, and surrounding areas.
