Short answer: there is no standard number, and anyone who hands you one without seeing your house is guessing. You count by what you want to light: the entry, the paths, the best trees, the corners of the house, the patio. Each fixture starts at $195, installed, on our price list. Count your spots, then multiply. We will show you the method so you can build your own rough budget before anyone visits.
Step one: walk the property at dusk
Do this on your own. Stand where you usually come home from, then walk the front yard, the sides and the back. Write down every spot where you wish the yard were lit. Do not worry about quantity yet.
Step two: sort the spots into layers
Good lighting works in layers, and each layer needs its own fixtures.
- Path and entry. Where you walk. Steps, walks, the front door and the driveway edge.
- Uplighting. Fixtures that shine up a wall, a column or a good tree.
- Wash and accent. Light spread across a surface, like a stone wall or a planting bed.
- Outdoor living areas. Patio, deck or grill zone.
Step three: count each layer
- Paths: measure the length. Paths need light that overlaps gently so there are no dark gaps. Fixtures are spaced by the walkway length and the fixture’s spread.
- Walls and trees: one to a few fixtures per feature, depending on its width and height.
- Entry: a couple of fixtures handle most front doors.
- Patio: depends on size and how you use it.
We are not giving you a per-foot number here. Spread depends on the fixture, the height and the terrain, and a made-up rule of thumb leads people to the wrong count. A dusk demo is how we get it right. We place fixtures on your property and see how the light falls.
Step four: do the math
Example: if you count 12 spots × $195 = $2,340 at the starting price. Your real number will be higher or lower, depending on fixture type, transformer size and wire runs. Whole-property designs with paths, trees and a patio need many more spots than a single front entry, so the total climbs with the count.
Things people forget to count
- The transformer. It powers the whole system and should have room for more lights later.
- Wire and trenching. Longer runs cost more. On an irrigated lot, we can often plan the routes together.
- Future additions. Leave capacity for the back yard if you are doing the front first.
Counting mistakes to avoid
- Too many fixtures in one spot. More light is not better light. It creates glare.
- Not enough in the dark gaps. A dim stretch between two bright spots looks worse than none.
- Skipping the steps. Steps are where people trip. Light them.
When to call us
Call when you have your list and want a firm number. We offer a free on-site estimate and a dusk demo. We serve North Atlanta, including Buckhead, Brookhaven and Vinings, and the Gwinnett towns to the northeast. See landscape lighting design and pricing.
A quick sketch beats a guess
Before anyone visits, draw the house on a sheet of paper. Mark the doors, the steps, the walks, the big trees and the patio. Put a dot for every spot on your list. Then circle the dots that matter most. That circled group is usually a good first phase, and the rest can come later. The sketch also keeps the conversation honest. When we walk the property, you can show exactly what you want, and we can tell you plainly which dots we would skip and which we would add.
FAQ
How many landscape lights do I need for a front yard? It depends on the entry, the paths and the features you want lit. Count the spots, sort them into layers and price each at $195 or more.
How much does one landscape light cost? From $195 per fixture, installed, on our price list.
Do I need more than one transformer? Often one is enough, sized with room to grow. Larger properties can need more, and we size it at the estimate.
Can I start with the front and add the back later? Yes. Plan the transformer capacity up front so the back can be added without redoing the system.
Prices from our price list. Updated November 2026.