How do I install outdoor landscape lighting in my New Brunswick yard?

Outdoor Landscape Lighting Installation in New Brunswick

Landscape lighting transforms your yard after dark — highlighting gardens, pathways, trees, and architectural features while improving safety and security. New Brunswick's long winter evenings (sunset before 4:30 PM in December) make outdoor lighting especially worthwhile.

Low-Voltage vs. Line-Voltage

Low-voltage (12V) landscape lighting is the standard for residential yards:

• Powered by a transformer that steps 120V down to 12V


• Safe to touch — 12V won't cause shock


• Easy to install and reposition


• Wire can be buried just 3–6 inches deep (no conduit required)


• Homeowner-friendly DIY project


• Most landscape lighting kits and individual fixtures are 12V

Line-voltage (120V) landscape lighting is used for:

• Large floodlights and security lights


• Lamp posts and tall bollard lights


• Permanent installations requiring high brightness


• Must be installed by a licensed electrician


• Wire must be buried in conduit at minimum 18-inch depth (CEC requirement)


• Requires a TSANB electrical permit

For most NB homeowners, low-voltage is the right choice for garden beds, pathways, accent lighting, and deck perimeters.

Low-Voltage System Components

1. Transformer ($50–$200)
Converts 120V household power to 12V. Sized by total wattage of all connected fixtures:

• Add up the wattage of every fixture on the system


• Choose a transformer rated 20–25% above that total for headroom


• Example: 10 LED path lights at 3W each = 30W total → 45W transformer minimum


• Modern LED fixtures use so little power that a 150W transformer can run 30–40 fixtures

The transformer plugs into a standard outdoor GFCI outlet. If you don't have one near your planned lighting area, have an electrician add one ($200–$400).

2. Cable ($0.50–$1.50 per metre)
Direct-burial landscape wire, typically 12 or 14 gauge. Heavier gauge (lower number) for longer runs to prevent voltage drop. For runs over 15 metres, use 12-gauge wire.

3. Fixtures ($15–$80 each)

• Path lights: Illuminate walkways, driveways, garden borders. $15–$40 each.


• Spotlights/uplights: Highlight trees, architectural features, or garden focal points. $25–$60 each.


• Well lights: Flush-mount in the ground for uplighting trees or walls. $30–$80 each.


• Deck lights: Recessed into deck boards, risers, or railings. $15–$35 each.


• Step lights: Built into stair risers for safety. $20–$50 each.

Installation Steps (Low-Voltage DIY)

Plan your layout — walk your yard at night with a flashlight to identify where light is needed. Mark fixture locations with stakes.

Mount the transformer near a GFCI outdoor outlet, at least 30cm above ground to avoid snow and splash.

Lay out the cable — run the main line from the transformer, then branch to each fixture location. Don't bury yet.

Connect fixtures — most use quick-connect clamps that pierce the cable insulation. No wire stripping needed.

Test the system — power on the transformer and verify all fixtures light up. Adjust positions.

Bury the cable — 3–6 inches deep in a narrow trench. Tuck cable under mulch in garden beds.

Set the timer — most transformers include a timer or photocell. Photocell is best for NB because sunset time varies dramatically through the year (4:30 PM in December to 9:15 PM in June).

NB-Specific Considerations

Frost heave: Ground-mounted fixtures (well lights, bollards) can shift when the ground freezes and thaws. In NB's freeze-thaw climate, set ground fixtures on a gravel base (6 inches deep) for drainage and stability. Check fixture alignment each spring.

Snow and ice: Path lights must be tall enough that winter snow doesn't bury them. Choose 18–24 inch tall path lights for areas that accumulate snow. Shorter fixtures work for covered walkways and porches.

Salt and corrosion: Coastal areas (Saint John, Shediac, Bathurst) and homes near salted roads need corrosion-resistant fixtures. Look for brass, copper, or composite materials rather than painted aluminum, which corrodes within 2–3 seasons in salt environments.

Wildlife: NB's abundant wildlife means buried cables can be disturbed by digging animals. Running cable through flexible conduit in garden areas prevents damage from skunks, raccoons, and dogs.

Costs for a Typical NB Installation

| Package | What's Included | Cost |
|---------|----------------|------|
| DIY starter | 6 path lights + transformer + cable | $200–$400 |
| DIY mid-range | 10 path lights + 4 spotlights + transformer + cable | $500–$1,000 |
| Professional install (low-voltage) | Design + 15–20 fixtures + transformer + burial | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Professional install (line-voltage, permit required) | Floodlights, lamp post, hardwired fixtures | $3,000–$8,000+ |

When You Need an Electrician

• Adding a new outdoor GFCI outlet for the transformer
• Installing line-voltage (120V) fixtures
• Running power to a detached lamp post or gate pillar
• Connecting landscape lighting to a smart home system with hardwired controls
• Any underground wiring at line voltage

For the low-voltage portion, many NB homeowners handle installation themselves and only hire an electrician if they need a new outdoor outlet to plug in the transformer.

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