Landscape Lighting for New Construction: Plan It Before You Build
The best time to plan your landscape lighting system is before the sod goes down and the landscaping is installed — ideally during the construction phase when conduit can be run under hardscaping, transformers can be positioned close to their final load, and rough wiring can be pre-planned without excavating finished landscaping.
Many homeowners building custom homes in Texas discover this too late: the landscaping is done, the patio is poured, and running wire under the concrete means cutting it up. Planning ahead avoids that entirely.
What to Do During Construction
Conduit Pre-Run
Before the driveway, patio, and hardscaping are poured, have your contractor run 1-inch PVC conduit from the planned transformer location to the anticipated fixture zones. Conduit runs under patio slabs to reach backyard zones; under the driveway to reach the far side; under the front walk to reach the entry garden. These cost $50–$200 per run when installed before concrete is poured. After? $1,000–$3,000 for concrete cutting, re-paving, and restoration.
Transformer Location
Plan the transformer mounting location near a GFCI exterior outlet, ideally in a low-visibility location (side of the house, behind the garage) with access to run wire to the main zones. We provide a recommended placement during the design consultation.
Circuit Planning
If you’re building a home with an outdoor kitchen, pool, and covered patio, plan dedicated circuits for each major outdoor lighting zone during the electrical rough-in. This simplifies installation significantly and allows for independent zone control from the start.
Involve Us Early
We work with custom home builders throughout Texas to review lighting plans during the construction phase and provide conduit placement guidance. This costs nothing and prevents expensive retrofitting later. Contact us today to discuss your new construction project.