$85 – $380 per fixture location for a typical first-time security light install, wired and aimed.
• Electrician labor for exterior lighting runs $120–$200/hour depending on access
• LED bulbs ($35–$50) cost more up front and win on lifespan and energy
• Multiple fixtures in one visit share the trip charge and ladder time
Installed Cost by Security Light Type
Pick the fixture for the job: focused spotlights for corners, floods for coverage, motion for deterrence, and camera lights where you want eyes as well as light.
| Fixture Type | Installed Cost | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Spotlight | $85 - $120 | Focused beam for one dark corner - light runs $35-$65. |
| Floodlight | $85 - $120 | Wide wash of light over driveways and yards; the classic security fixture. |
| Motion-activated | $85 - $180 | Lights only when something moves — the best deterrence per dollar. |
| Smart light + camera | $180 - $240 | Lighting plus phone notifications and recording in one fixture. |
Hardwired, Battery, or Solar?
Hardwired
Brightest and most reliable — the right choice for primary coverage.
Battery-powered
Sheds, gates, and spots with no wiring — plan on battery swaps.
Solar-powered
No wiring needed; performance depends on sun and battery health.
What Actually Moves the Price
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Fixture Type & Count
A single motion flood over the driveway is one visit; a whole-perimeter layout with multiple fixtures scales the wiring and ladder time.
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Wiring Access
Fixtures replacing existing exterior lights are quick. New locations need wiring fished through exterior walls or soffits — that access drives labor.
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Mounting Height
Eave and second-story gable mounts take staging and time that a porch-height fixture doesn’t.
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Extra Features
Pet-immune sensors add $120–$240, wider flood arcs $120–$240, and custom zones or schedules $120–$240.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions Raleigh homeowners ask most before adding security lighting.
How much does security lighting installation cost?
A typical first-time security light installation runs about $85-$380 per fixture location in the Raleigh area. Fixture choice and wiring access move the price in both directions.
How much does it cost to install outdoor flood lights?
A floodlight runs $85–$120 per fixture location when there is an existing exterior box to work from. New locations that need wiring fished through walls or soffits, or eave and second-story mounts, push the job toward the upper end of the $85–$380 range, since electrician labor for exterior lighting runs $120–$200 an hour depending on access.
How much does a motion-activated security light cost installed?
Motion-activated lights typically run $85–$180 installed. The fixtures themselves are $40–$110; the rest is wiring, mounting, and aiming the sensor so it catches walkways without false-triggering on the street.
What about smart security lights with cameras?
Camera-equipped smart lights land around $180-$240 each installed. They pair lighting with motion notifications to your phone — one fixture can cover light and monitoring.
How should I light a backyard for security?
Start with the back door and the corners someone would approach from, then the side yards and any gate. A motion light ($85–$180 installed) over each entry covers most yards, and aiming the sensors at walkways rather than the neighbor's yard keeps false triggers down. If you want lights on from dusk to a set hour as well, a timer switch runs $85–$120.
Are hardwired or solar security lights better?
Hardwired fixtures are brighter and always-on reliable — the right call for primary coverage. Solar ($85–$120 per light) suits spots without wiring access but depends on sun exposure and dims as batteries age. Battery units ($85–$120) fit gates and sheds.
Do security lights need their own circuit?
Usually not — most tie into existing exterior or nearby interior circuits. A large multi-fixture layout, or a house with already-loaded circuits, may need a new run; that's identified in the free estimate before work starts.
How do I get a quote for outdoor security lighting?
The estimate for a new installation is free. Before the visit, walk the property after dark and note the spots you want lit and where your existing exterior lights and switches are. The estimate then covers the fixture count, the wiring path to each new location, and the mounting height, which are the things that set the price.
How much does it cost to maintain security lighting?
Plan on roughly $85 to a few hundred dollars a year depending on fixture count — bulb replacements, occasional sensor adjustments, and cleaning. LED fixtures push maintenance close to zero for years.
Can I install security lights myself?
Replacing a fixture on an existing exterior box is homeowner-feasible with the breaker off. New wiring through exterior walls, new boxes, or anything at eave height on a tall ladder is safer and usually cheaper done right the first time by a licensed electrician.
Want Your Dark Spots Covered Before The Time Change?
Tell us which corners of the property go black at night — we'll recommend fixture types, quote the layout, and aim everything so it catches walkways, not bedroom windows.
Hugo – Founder & Master Electrician
Hugo has more than 20 years in the electrical trade across Wake County and the Triangle. He built Electric All Pro on one promise: honest work, done right, explained in plain words.