Licensed Electricians • Outdoor Lighting Done Right
Austin and the team at Pelican Coast Electric install outdoor landscape lighting for homeowners across Orange County. From simple pathway lights to full multi-zone systems with smart controls, every installation is wired to code by a licensed California electrician. We work on coastal properties, hillside homes, and everything in between.
From 33 Google Reviews
CA #1133193
& Insured
A lot of homeowners call a landscaper first when they want outdoor lighting. That works fine for solar-powered stakes in the garden. But if you want a real system, one that runs on dedicated circuits, handles pool and patio lighting, and stays on through a coastal storm, you need a licensed electrician.
Pelican Coast Electric has been doing landscape lighting installs throughout Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, and the surrounding communities. We handle the electrical side from the panel out, pull any permits the job requires, and install fixtures that hold up to the salt air and UV exposure that comes with living close to the coast.
We wire everything to California electrical code and NEC standards. That means proper GFCI protection on outdoor circuits, weatherproof junction boxes, and transformers sized correctly for your system. No guesswork, no shortcuts.
All outdoor electrical work is done under California C10 license #1133193. We pull permits when required and install to NEC and local code standards.
From transformer sizing and circuit wiring to fixture mounting and smart controls, we handle the complete installation in one visit.
Exceptional customer service with comprehensive warranty on all parts and labor as well as over 50 5-star Google reviews.
We install all common types of residential landscape lighting. Each installation includes proper wiring, weatherproof connections, and transformer setup.
We inspect all electrical systems and components from all manufacturers and installation periods
A landscaper can plant the garden and recommend fixtures. But connecting them to your home’s electrical system is a different job. Here is why it matters.
Outdoor circuits connected to your main panel require a licensed C10 electrician under California law. A landscaper without an electrical license cannot legally wire your landscape lighting, and work done without a license voids your homeowner’s insurance if there is ever a fire or injury.
Outdoor circuits require GFCI protection, weatherproof enclosures, and correct wire gauges. An undersized transformer or improperly fused circuit creates a fire risk. Licensed electricians follow NEC standards and local code requirements every time.
All work we do comes with a warranty on parts and labor. If something fails, we come back and fix it. Work done by unlicensed contractors offers you no protection and no recourse.
Landscape lighting transformers need to be sized for the total wattage load. Wiring runs need to stay within voltage drop limits. Junction boxes need to be rated for outdoor use. These are details a licensed electrician handles automatically and that a general landscaper typically does not.
Ready to light up your property? Call (949) 989-4404 or schedule your free estimate. Most consultations take 30 minutes.
There are a lot of electricians in Orange County. Here is what separates the calls we get from homeowners who have already tried someone else.
We are a small team based in Newport Beach. Austin handles most of the landscape lighting consultations personally. You deal with the same person from the estimate to the final walkthrough. No handoffs, no surprises on the invoice.
Cost depends on what you are lighting, how many zones you need, and whether the panel has room for new circuits. The table below reflects what we see on real Orange County jobs. These are not nationwide averages.
| System Type | Typical Scope | Estimated Range | Permit Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Pathway System | 6 to 10 pathway fixtures, single transformer, one circuit | $1,500 – $2,500 | Usually no |
| Front Yard Accent Package | Uplights on trees/shrubs, pathway lights, timer control | $2,500 – $4,000 | Usually no |
| Full Property System | Multiple zones, front and back, 15 to 30 fixtures | $4,000 – $6,500 | Sometimes |
| Pool & Patio Lighting | Pool lights, patio sconces, step lights, GFCI circuits | $3,500 – $6,000 | Yes |
| Smart Lighting Integration | Multi-zone system with app control, dimmers, scheduling | $5,000 – $9,000+ | Sometimes |
| Security Lighting Add-On | Motion flood lights, dusk-to-dawn perimeter fixtures | $800 – $2,000 | Usually no |
Every installation follows the same four-step process. You know what to expect before we start and what you get when we finish.
Consultation
We walk the property with you, assess the electrical panel capacity, and talk through what you want to light. We identify which circuits are available, where we need to add new ones, and what transformer size fits your system. You get a written estimate before we schedule the installation
Design
We map out fixture placement, circuit layout, and transformer location. For larger systems with multiple zones or smart controls, we provide a lighting plan showing each zone and what it controls. We source fixtures that match your style and hold up to the Orange County climate.
Installation
We install the transformer, run wiring, mount fixtures, and make all connections to weatherproof standards. We bury conduit where needed, use rated outdoor wire nuts and wire connectors, and keep the yard clean throughout the install. Most residential installs finish in one day.
Testing and Walkthrough
We test every circuit and fixture before we leave. We walk you through the timer, dimmer, or smart control settings. You know exactly how the system works and what to do if something needs adjusting. We document the work for your records.
⚡ Typical residential installation timeline: 1 to 2 days from start to finish
Get answers to the most common questions about emergency electrical
Most Orange County homeowners spend between $2,500 and $7,500 for a professionally installed system. Simple pathway lighting along a front walkway runs on the lower end. Full-property systems with pool lighting, smart controls, and multiple zones run higher. We provide a written estimate before any work starts, so you know the exact cost upfront.
Yes. Any outdoor electrical work connected to your home’s main panel in California requires a licensed electrician. This includes low-voltage landscape lighting transformers wired to a dedicated circuit, GFCI-protected outdoor outlets, and all pool or spa lighting. A landscaper without an electrical contractor license (C10) cannot legally perform this work. Hiring an unlicensed contractor for electrical work also voids many homeowner’s insurance policies.
Most residential landscape lighting installations take one to two days. A basic pathway and accent lighting system along the front of a home often finishes in a single day. Larger projects that include pool lighting, multiple zones, transformer installation, and smart control integration take two to three days. We confirm the timeline during your initial consultation so you know what to expect.
LED fixtures are the right choice for any Orange County home, and especially for coastal properties in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and Corona del Mar. LED fixtures handle salt air and UV exposure better than halogen, use 75 to 80 percent less energy, and last tens of thousands of hours longer. For homes within a quarter mile of the water, we recommend marine-grade or solid brass fixtures with powder-coat finishes that resist corrosion. Stainless steel hardware on all connections is also a standard part of our coastal installs.
Yes. We install smart landscape lighting systems compatible with Lutron, Kasa, and other smart home platforms. You set schedules, adjust brightness by zone, and control everything from your phone. For homes with more complex automation needs, we also install Lutron Athena systems that integrate landscape lighting with interior lighting, shades, and other home systems.
Yes, but it depends on your panel. Older homes in Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, and other established Orange County neighborhoods sometimes have 100-amp panels with limited space for new circuits. We evaluate your panel during the consultation and let you know if a panel upgrade is needed before we start. In many cases, we can find an existing circuit to use or add a subpanel for the outdoor system without a full panel replacement.
SERVICE COVERAGE
We serve residential properties throughout Orange County from our Newport Beach office. The cities below are where most of our landscape lighting work happens, but we take jobs throughout the county and into parts of San Bernardino County.
CUSTOMER REVIEWS
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. 
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Get a thorough electrical safety evaluation from Orange County’s trusted licensed electricians. Whether you’re buying a home, selling a property, or just want peace of mind, we provide clear reports with actionable recommendations.
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