Landscape Lighting Design and Installation Business
Design and fit outdoor lighting for gardens, patios and house exteriors, so homes look good and feel safe after dark.
- C$3k-12k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
You visit a property, plan where lights should go, then supply and install low-voltage fixtures, cabling and transformers. Typical jobs light paths, trees, decks, steps and house fronts.
Your first three steps
- Take a landscape lighting course or supplier training, and learn low-voltage wiring and layout basics
- Install a demo setup at your own or a friend's home and photograph it at dusk
- Contact local landscapers, decks builders and electricians to ask about referrals
Who pays
Homeowners, plus small commercial owners such as restaurants, townhouse complexes and office buildings.
How it makes money
A design fee or a fixed project price covering fixtures, materials and labour. Some add a yearly check-up visit to adjust and fix lights.
Skills that help
- Eye for design and light
- Practical installation skills
- Quoting and selling to homeowners
Watch out for
- Electrical rules differ by province: check whether low-voltage work needs a licensed electrician or a permit, and who must connect to mains power
- Commercial general liability insurance, and WCB or WSIB coverage once you hire
- Check whether your municipality needs a business licence
- Installs are mostly possible when the ground is not frozen, so plan for slower winters
- Digging near buried services: arrange a locate before you dig
🔒 Full research report for Canada
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a landscape lighting business in Canada?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on the fixtures, cabling, transformers and tools you buy and how much stock you carry. Treat this as an estimate and price your own equipment list before committing.
Do I need an electrician's licence to install landscape lighting?
Electrical rules differ by province. Check whether low-voltage work needs a licensed electrician or a permit, and who must connect to mains power. Also check insurance, whether your municipality needs a business licence, and arrange a locate before you dig.
How much can a landscape lighting business earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many jobs you win and their size. Plan for at least about 15 hours a week. Installs are mostly possible when the ground is not frozen, so winters may be slower.
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