Garden lighting design and install
Design and install outdoor lighting for homes and small commercial properties, as a licensed electrician or with one on your team.
- A$5k-20k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A full service. You design the lighting scheme, supply the fittings, and install them with cabling, transformers and controls such as timers or smart switching. Mains connections are done by a licensed electrician.
Your first three steps
- Confirm your licensing position with your state's electrical licensing body, or agree terms with a licensed electrician to do the mains work
- Put together a demo kit of fittings and photograph a few installs to show clients
- Get public liability insurance, set up quote templates and approach local landscapers, pool builders and garden designers for work
Who pays
Homeowners, strata managers, cafes, restaurants and other commercial property owners, plus landscapers who subcontract the lighting.
How it makes money
A quoted price per project covering design, fittings and labour, with a margin on materials. Ongoing income can come from maintenance visits, bulb or fitting replacements and later add-ons.
Skills that help
- Electrical trade knowledge or a licensed partner
- Design sense
- Quoting and project planning
- Practical outdoor installation work
Watch out for
- Electrical work generally needs a state licence, and rules differ between states and territories, so check before quoting
- Public liability insurance, and workers compensation once you hire
- Outdoor fittings need correct waterproofing ratings, and poor installs can be a safety risk
- Check what warranty you offer on fittings and workmanship
- Stock and a ute or van tie up money, so start with a small range of fittings
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: garden lighting design and install
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a garden lighting install business?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $20,000, depending on your stock of fittings, tools and vehicle. Starting with a small range of fittings may help limit the money tied up in stock.
What licences and rules apply to installing garden lighting?
Electrical work generally needs a state licence, and rules differ between states and territories, so check before quoting. Also check public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, and what warranty you offer on fittings and workmanship.
How much can a garden lighting installer earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number and size of jobs you win. Allow at least about 20 hours a week for design, quoting and installation.
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