Garden Lighting in York — What's Worth Doing and What It Costs
By Frankie · April 2026 · 5 min read
The evenings are getting longer, the garden is starting to look usable, and you're thinking about lighting. Maybe you want to highlight a tree, light up a path, or just make it possible to sit outside after dark. This post will give you a straight answer on what needs an electrician, what doesn't, and what it costs.
What Doesn't Need an Electrician
Solar lights: Spike them in the ground and you're done. The quality has improved enormously. For path lighting and general ambient effects, good solar lights are a perfectly reasonable option.
Low-voltage plug-in systems: Transformer plugs into an outdoor socket, thin cable runs to the lights. If you've already got a weatherproof outdoor socket, this is the simplest route.
Battery-powered fittings: Motion-sensor security lights, porch lights, decorative string lights — anything battery-powered needs no wiring at all.
If any of these works for what you're trying to achieve, do it yourself and save the money. That's the honest answer.
What Does Need an Electrician
The moment you want anything connected to your mains supply — permanently wired, not plugged in — that's notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations.
Installing a new outdoor socket — even a single socket on the outside wall needs notifying. Weatherproof fitting, RCD protection, and correct cable routing.
A dedicated garden lighting circuit — runs from your consumer unit, through armoured cable underground. Right for a serious garden lighting scheme.
Outbuilding electrics — garden office, shed, or workshop with power and lighting needs a separate circuit with an RCD at the outbuilding end.
Water feature lighting — anything near a pond needs to be low-voltage (max 12V) and requires specific IP-rated equipment and correct zoning.
The Outdoor Wiring Rules That Matter
IP ratings: Any outdoor fitting needs an IP rating appropriate for the location. Sockets need at least IP44; fully exposed to rain means IP65 or higher.
Underground cable: Must be steel wire armoured (SWA) cable, or standard cable run inside conduit. Ordinary twin-and-earth buried in the ground is not acceptable.
Extension leads left outside permanently: Fine for occasional power tool use. Using one as a permanent supply for garden lights is not acceptable.
What Does It Actually Cost?
Typical costs (exc. VAT):
Single outdoor socket (spur from existing circuit): £150–£220
Dedicated outdoor circuit (from consumer unit, up to 15m): £280–£420
Garden lighting scheme (circuit + underground run, up to 20m): £380–£550
Outbuilding supply — shed or workshop: £680–£950
Garden office or workshop (longer run, more circuits): £950–£1,400
All prices exclude VAT at 20%. Garden lighting fittings are priced separately — we quote installation and fittings as two separate lines so you know exactly what you're paying for. Final costs depend on site conditions and are confirmed in a written estimate after a site visit.
Frankie Sewell
NICEIC Approved Contractor • YRLA Recognised Service Provider • Bright Sparks of York
Thinking About Garden Lighting?
Tell me what you're trying to achieve and I'll tell you what it'll cost. No obligation, no jargon.