If you’ve ever driven through Southlake, Grapevine, Waxahachie, Midlothian, or Highland Park after dark and slowed down to admire a home glowing softly beneath its oak trees, its roofline traced in clean light, you already understand what professional landscape and permanent lighting can do together. It turns a house into a landmark. And if you’re considering it for your own property, the first question is almost always the same: what does landscape and permanent lighting actually cost in the Dallas–Fort Worth area?
The honest answer is that it depends. Depends on what? On the size of your property, the number of fixtures, the length of your roofline, the quality of the materials, and the complexity of the design. But “it depends” isn’t very helpful when you’re trying to plan, so below we’ve broken down real 2026 pricing, what drives it up or down, and how to make sure every dollar you spend actually shows after sunset.
The short answer: typical Residential DFW landscape & permanent lighting costs
Every 3D Lighting project pairs landscape lighting with permanent roofline lighting, so your total has two parts. Landscape lighting for most DFW homes runs between $3,500 and $15,000, and our average landscape project is about $6,800. Permanent lighting is priced by the foot of roofline, at $25 to $35 per foot installed, which puts most homes between $2,500 and $7,000. For example, a home with about 20 landscape fixtures and 150 feet of roofline comes to roughly $10,750 to $12,250 all in.
Here’s a rough guide based on the number of fixtures, which is the single biggest driver of cost:
| Project Size | Approx. Fixtures | Typical Installed Cost |
| Accent / entry lighting | 10 – 20 | $3,500 – $7,500 |
| Full front yard | 20 – 30 | $7,000 – $15,000 |
| Front and key backyard areas | 30 -40 | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Whole property / estate design | 40+ | $13,000 – $25,000+ |
As a rule of thumb, professionally installed fixtures run about $325–$500 each, a figure that includes the fixture itself, the wiring, the transformer capacity, and skilled labor. The exact number depends on the fixture type and your landscape. Permanent lighting is figured by the linear foot of roofline, which we cover below.
What actually drives the price
Two homes on the same street can get very different quotes, and it’s rarely arbitrary. These are the factors that move the number:
Number and type of fixtures. Path lights are the most economical, often $50–$150 installed, while architectural uplights and downlights that wash your home’s façade or crown your trees typically run $100–$400 each. Specialty pieces like bollards or lamp posts cost more. The look you want determines the mix.
The design itself. A thoughtful lighting design is where good installations separate themselves from a row of identical path lights. Professional design and consultation typically adds $500-$1,000, and it’s the part that makes the difference between “there are lights in the yard” and “this home looks stunning.” It’s worth every penny. A beautiful fixture in the wrong spot is just an expensive mistake.
Your landscape and terrain. Running wire under established beds, around mature root systems, or across long distances takes time. Trenching and wiring generally add $3–$13 per linear foot depending on the ground, and DFW’s clay soil and sprawling lots can factor in here.
Materials and fixture quality. This is the big one for long-term value. Inexpensive plastic fixtures fail fast in the Texas sun; commercial-grade brass and copper fixtures cost more upfront but last for years and actually improve with age. Skimping here is the most common regret we see on homes that were lit by someone else first.
Added features. Smart timers, app control, and color-changing or holiday-capable systems add to the total (often around $100 and up for a timer or control system), but they’re what make the lighting effortless to live with.
Your roofline. On the permanent lighting side, the price follows the length of your roofline and how hard it is to work on. A base or premium system, a steep roof pitch, eave jumps, and a second story all affect where you land in the $25 to $35 per foot range.
Low-voltage vs. line-voltage and why it matters for your budget
Most quality residential landscape lighting today is low-voltage (12-volt) rather than standard line-voltage (120-volt). Low-voltage systems are safer, more energy-efficient, and more flexible to design with. Line-voltage has its place for certain applications, but for the warm, layered look most DFW homeowners want, low-voltage LED is the standard. It’s also easier on your electric bill!
Don’t forget LED (your long-term savings)
Nearly all modern landscape lighting uses LED bulbs, and for good reason. They sip electricity, last for years, and throw off almost no heat. While the bulbs themselves cost a little more than old halogen or incandescent, they pay for themselves many times over in lower energy use and far fewer replacements. Over the life of your system, LEDs are the clear winner, both in finances and maintenance requirements.
Permanent lighting: the other half of the design
Permanent lighting is the second half of every design we install. These are discreet LED systems tucked into your rooflines that stay up year-round and switch on for Christmas, game days, the Fourth of July, or a warm everyday glow. Pricing is measured by the linear foot of roofline, typically $25 to $35 per foot installed, depending on whether you choose a base or premium system and how complex your home is. Most homes need somewhere between 100 and 200 feet, which puts permanent lighting at roughly $2,500 to $7,000. Because the system is installed once and controlled from your phone, it ends the yearly ladder-climbing and seasonal install fees. We plan it alongside your landscape lighting in the same consultation, so the roofline and the yard are lit as one look.
Is professional installation worth it over DIY?
You can buy a box of solar path lights at a big-box store for a couple hundred dollars, and for a modest, temporary effect, that’s an ok place to start. But there’s a reason the homes you admire don’t look like that.
Professional installation gets you a real design, commercial-grade fixtures that survive our crazy Texas weather, properly buried and protected wiring, correctly sized transformers, and a result that’s balanced, glare-free, and built to last. We’re frequently called to redo lighting a homeowner or a national company installed the first time. Redoing it almost always costs more than doing it right one time.
What about maintenance?
Quality landscape and permanent LED systems are low-maintenance by design, but outdoor lighting lives outdoors. This means fixtures get bumped by mowers, bulbs eventually dim, and beds grow in over time. Working with a local company that offers ongoing service means your lighting stays looking its best without you having to think about it. It’s part of the white-glove experience, and it protects the investment you’ve made.
Why Dallas–Fort Worth homeowners choose 3D Lighting
At 3D Lighting, we’re a family-owned company founded by two career firefighters which means precision, safety, and doing the job right the first time are simply how we work. We serve homes and businesses across the Metroplex, from Dallas and Fort Worth to Waxahachie, Midlothian, Granbury, and the surrounding communities. We use commercial-grade fixtures, design every installation around your specific property, and stand behind our work with the kind of responsive, honest service you’d expect from neighbors. We are neighbors, too! We’re fully licensed and insured, and the estimate we give you is the price you pay.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do landscape and permanent lighting cost in Dallas–Fort Worth? Landscape lighting usually runs $3,500 to $15,000, with an average around $6,800 and fixtures at $325 to $500 each installed. Permanent lighting adds $25 to $35 per linear foot of roofline, or roughly $2,500 to $7,000 for most homes. Your exact cost depends on your property, the number and type of fixtures, and your roofline.
- Are landscape and permanent lighting worth the investment? Yes. Beyond the obvious beauty, quality landscape and permanent lighting improve curb appeal, add a layer of safety and security, and can increase your home’s perceived value. For many homeowners they’re among the highest-impact exterior upgrades dollar for dollar.
- How long does installation take? Most residential installations are completed in a day or two, depending on the size of the project and the design. We’ll give you a clear timeline with your estimate.
- Do you offer a free consultation? Yes. We’ll walk your property, learn what you’re hoping to achieve, and provide a clear, no-surprise estimate tailored to your home.
- Can I add landscape lighting without permanent lighting? We design landscape and permanent lighting together as one system, so every 3D Lighting project includes both. Planning them at the same time lets us balance the light on your roofline with the light in your yard, so the whole property looks finished after dark.
Ready to see what your home could look like after dark?
Every property is different, and the only way to get an accurate number is a quick look at yours. Schedule your design consultation with 3D Lighting and we’ll show you exactly what’s possible, what it will cost, with no pressure and no surprises.