How to Estimate Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting can make exterior spaces more livable at night.

Outdoor lighting refers to any type of exterior lighting device that adds light to outdoor areas like walkways, patios, and driveways. There are hundreds of different types of outdoor lights available in the modern market to suit just about any situation. The addition of outdoor lighting can make exterior spaces more desirable at night, and in some cases, safer. Estimating outdoor lighting is the first step in their addition, and is a generally straightforward procedure that can usually be done by just about anyone using only basic tools.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Calculator
• Small sledge hammer (optional)
• Wood stakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Make a list of the types of exterior lighting fixtures that will be used for the project and tally the number of each.

2. Measure and add the distance between all proposed lighting fixtures to find the total length of wiring necessary; if using individual solar powered units, disregard this step.

3. Call a local landscaping or home improvement supply store and get the current cost (per unit) of the lighting listed from step 1, and the cost (per foot) of wiring length measured in step 2, if necessary.

4. Multiply the unit cost of lighting fixtures by those counted in step 1 to find the total cost of fixtures. Add this to the multiplied cost of wiring length to find the total cost of materials

References

• "Estimating in Building Construction (6th Edition)"; Frank R. Dagostino and Leslie Feigenbaum; 2002