Low-voltage garden lighting and automated irrigation systems
Garden Lighting and Irrigation
Garden lighting and irrigation covers low-voltage outdoor lighting installed to highlight planting, paths and seating areas, and automated irrigation systems that water beds, borders or lawns on a timed schedule — each designed around the specific garden.
Definition
What Lighting & Irrigation covers
Low-voltage garden lighting uses a transformer to step mains power down to a safe outdoor voltage, feeding spike, deck or wall-mounted fittings positioned to highlight planting, steps, paths or seating areas. Irrigation systems range from simple timed sprinkler or drip-line zones for beds and borders through to more comprehensive systems covering a whole garden, controlled by a programmable timer or smart controller.
Suitable for
- Gardens used in the evening where lighting adds safety and atmosphere
- Borders, pots or vegetable beds needing consistent watering, especially over summer or when away from home
- Newly planted schemes that need reliable watering while establishing
- Households wanting to reduce time spent on manual watering
Not suitable for
- Mains-voltage exterior lighting circuits requiring full rewiring, which is a separate qualified electrical installation
- Properties on a water meter where the cost implication of automated irrigation hasn't been considered (worth discussing at design stage)
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Design consultation
Walking the garden to plan lighting positions or irrigation zones around planting, use and existing features.
- 02
Cabling or pipework
Running low-voltage cabling or irrigation pipework, typically buried or discreetly routed through planting.
- 03
Fittings and equipment installation
Fitting lights, sprinklers or drip lines, and installing the transformer, timer or controller.
- 04
Testing and setting up
Testing the system and setting timers or lighting scenes to suit how the garden is used.
Typical timescale
A typical garden lighting or irrigation installation takes one to a few days on site, depending on the number of zones or fittings and the size of the garden. Confirmed after design consultation.
Cost guidance
Garden lighting and irrigation typically costs £300–£1,500 per job in our area, with the number of lighting points or irrigation zones being the main factor. We provide an itemised quotation after a design consultation rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- Any mains-voltage electrical work is carried out by a qualified electrician in line with current wiring regulations
- Irrigation systems rely on an adequate outdoor water supply and pressure, checked as part of the design
- Ongoing adjustment of timers and lighting scenes through the seasons is straightforward but is the homeowner's responsibility after handover unless otherwise agreed
Areas we cover
Lighting & Irrigation across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for lighting & irrigation in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Lighting & Irrigation FAQs
Is low-voltage garden lighting safe to install outdoors?
Yes — low-voltage systems run through a transformer that steps mains power down to a safe outdoor voltage, which is why they're the standard approach for garden lighting rather than running mains-voltage cable to individual fittings.
Can irrigation be set up to water automatically while I'm away?
Yes. A timer or smart controller can run watering zones on a set schedule, and smart controllers can also adjust for rainfall or be controlled remotely, which is useful for holidays or busy periods.
Will garden lighting and irrigation increase my water or electricity bills noticeably?
Low-voltage LED lighting draws very little power, so the electricity cost is modest. Irrigation water use depends on how many zones run and for how long, and is worth considering if you're on a water meter — we can help size the system sensibly during design.
Discuss your lighting & irrigation project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.