Short answer: ask to see the lights on at dusk, find the transformer and timer, walk the whole system and look for dark runs, leaning fixtures and exposed wire. Then ask who installed it and whether any paperwork came with it. If something is off, our minimum service call is $95, and our estimate is free.
Why lighting is worth a look
Landscape lighting is listed as a feature in many Gwinnett listings, and it adds to how a home feels at night. But at a showing, the lights are usually off, because the showing is in daylight. A system can be half dead and nobody notices until the first evening in the house. The same goes for irrigation and a buried wire, which you cannot see.
You are not an inspector, and a general home inspection may not cover low-voltage lighting. A short dusk visit can tell you a lot.
What to check, step by step
- Ask for a dusk showing, or ask the seller to leave the lights on for a second visit.
- Find the transformer. It is usually on an exterior wall or near a garage outlet. Look for a clean install, a weatherproof cover and a timer or photocell.
- Walk the whole system. Note dark fixtures, dim runs and anything flickering.
- Look at the aim. Do the lights show the house, paths and trees, or glare in your eyes?
- Look at the ground. Exposed wire, sunken or leaning fixtures and washed-out soil are signs of neglect.
- Check steps and walkways. They should all be lit.
- Ask who installed it, and whether the seller has records, drawings or a service contact.
- Check the timer. Make sure you know how to change it.
What the findings usually mean
| Finding | What it probably means | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| A few dark fixtures | Dead lamps or loose connections | Small repair |
| A whole run dark | Wire break or failed connection | Trace the break |
| Fixtures all corroded | Low-grade materials | Plan to replace over time |
| Wire on the surface | Washouts or an old install | Reroute or rebury |
| Transformer cracked or missing a cover | Weather exposure | Replace or protect |
| No timer or a wrong clock | Setup issue | Reset |
Questions for the seller
Ask how old the system is, if it was ever repaired, and whether anything is known to be out. Ask whether the sprinklers ran into the fixtures, because sprays can foul lenses over time. Ask for the contact of whoever installed the work. You may not get an answer, but asking sets expectations.
What to budget
A used system might need nothing, or it might need a service visit and some replacement fixtures. A minimum service call is $95. New fixtures start from $195 each. A whole-yard redesign is a different project, priced on design. If you are choosing between homes, a few dark fixtures should not scare you. A system with failing wire and corroded fixtures everywhere is a bigger cost, and worth a conversation about the price.
The irrigation side too
A home with lighting often has a sprinkler system. Ask to see it run. Heads that are broken or crooked, a controller that is old or bad coverage show up fast. A full system starts from $3,500 if the existing one is not worth keeping.
What to ask in the offer period
If you are still negotiating, there is no harm in asking the seller to have the lights and the sprinklers working at the time of a final walk-through. You can also ask for the manuals, the controller codes and any contact for past service. A request for the system to be in working order costs the seller little. It is more useful than discovering on your first night that half the fixtures are dark and the timer is a mystery.
When to call us
Call after you have the keys, or before closing if you want a second opinion at dusk. We can walk the system, tell you what works and give a firm number for what does not. We offer same-day service, answer day and night, and are family-owned, licensed and insured. See our landscape lighting design page.
FAQ
Should I ask the seller to turn on the landscape lights? Yes. Dark fixtures and bad aim only show at night.
Does a home inspection cover landscape lighting? Often not in detail. A separate look at dusk is worth it.
How much does it cost to fix an older system? Our minimum service call is $95, and fixtures start from $195 each.
Can I change the timer myself? Usually yes. Ask the seller how it works, or we can walk you through it.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026.