$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 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.
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 quote before work starts.
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.