Security Lighting Installation Cost: What to Expect
Spotlights, floodlights, motion sensors, and camera lights all price differently. Here's what security lighting actually costs installed in the Raleigh area, which power option fits which spot, and the factors that move the final number.
per fixture location for a typical first-time security light install — about $425 is a fair planning number for a quality motion floodlight, wired and aimed.
- Electrician labor for exterior lighting runs $50–$200/hour depending on access
- LED bulbs ($5–$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 | $65 – $315 | Focused beam for one dark corner — light runs $15–$65, install $50–$250. |
| Floodlight | $250 – $600 | Wide wash of light over driveways and yards; the classic security fixture. |
| Motion-activated | $250 – $350 | Lights only when something moves — the best deterrence per dollar. |
| Smart light + camera | $200 – $500 | Lighting plus phone notifications and recording in one fixture. |
Hardwired, Battery, or Solar?
What Actually Moves the Price
Budget for upkeep too: roughly $25 to a few hundred dollars a year across bulbs, sensor tweaks, and cleaning — near zero for the first years of a quality LED fixture.
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.
Security Lighting Cost FAQ
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 $350–$500 per fixture location in the Raleigh area, with $425 a fair planning number. Fixture choice and wiring access move the price in both directions.
? How much does a motion-activated security light cost installed?
Motion-activated lights typically run $250–$350 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 cost about $100–$300 per fixture plus installation, landing around $200–$500 each installed. They pair lighting with motion notifications to your phone — one fixture can cover light and monitoring.
? Are hardwired or solar security lights better?
Hardwired fixtures are brighter and always-on reliable — the right call for primary coverage. Solar ($25–$300 per light) suits spots without wiring access but depends on sun exposure and dims as batteries age. Battery units ($20–$100) 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 quote before work starts.
? How much does it cost to maintain security lighting?
Plan on roughly $25 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.