What outdoor lighting repair involves
Outdoor lighting repair covers everything that can go wrong with an installed system: bulbs and lamps that have burned out, fixtures that have shifted aim, transformers running hot or failing, voltage drop across long wire runs, wire damage from landscape work, and halogen fixtures ready for an LED conversion. We service systems we installed and systems we didn’t. Most repairs are completed on the day of the visit, with a nighttime walk-through scheduled when aiming needs to be confirmed after dark.
Signs your outdoor lighting system needs attention
Most homeowners notice something is off before they call. The signs below are the ones we hear about most often.
Fixtures out or entire zones dark
Individual fixture burnout is normal wear. Whole zones going dark usually point to a transformer circuit trip or a wire fault, not individual lamp failure. The two have very different fixes.
Dimmer than before
Voltage drop increases as wire ages and connectors corrode. What started at 12V at the fixture may now be closer to 9V. Both halogen and LED fixtures show the difference — halogen more dramatically, but LED systems are not immune.
Flickering or intermittent light
Loose wire connections, a failing transformer, or a lamp at end of life. Intermittent problems are often worse in cold or wet weather, which helps pinpoint the cause during the diagnostic.
Fixtures pointed in the wrong direction
Landscape maintenance, soil settling, and freeze-thaw cycles all shift fixture aim over time. Misdirected fixtures waste light and don’t serve the original design intent.
Fixtures buried under mulch or debris
Landscapers routinely bury path lights and uplights when refreshing beds. Buried fixtures overheat, can damage surrounding plants, and create a potential fire risk over time.
Transformer running hot, humming, or tripping
Transformers that reach end of life after many years of use often overheat, buzz audibly, or trip breakers repeatedly before failing completely. These are diagnostic signals, not a reason to ignore the system.
Cracked lenses or corroded housings
St. Louis weather is hard on exterior fixtures. Cracked lenses let in moisture and insects. Corroded housings are largely cosmetic at first but begin affecting the lamp socket within a few years of exposure.
Schedules no longer match seasonal sunset times
Astronomical timers drift, manual clocks lose accuracy, and daylight-saving changes get skipped. Lights running hours after the household is asleep, or not coming on until well after dark, are schedule problems rather than hardware failures.
What we repair and service
We service outdoor lighting systems regardless of who installed them. The scope below covers the repairs we handle most often.
LED lamp and bulb replacement
We match the correct lamp type, base, and color temperature to the existing fixture. Running the wrong lamp in a fixture affects light output and can shorten lamp life.
Fixture re-aiming
Done at dusk or after dark when the actual effect on the landscape is visible. We re-aim shifted or misdirected fixtures and check for physical damage to the stake or mounting hardware.
Transformer service and replacement
Output voltage testing across each circuit, breaker and timer function checks, internal inspection, and full replacement when a transformer has reached end of life.
Voltage drop diagnosis and correction
Long wire runs lose voltage between the transformer and the last fixture on a circuit. We measure actual fixture voltage and adjust wire gauges or add supplemental feed points where needed.
Wire and splice repair
Landscape work, freeze events, and animal activity all damage buried wire. We locate the break, make a waterproof splice, and test the circuit before leaving.
Halogen-to-LED retrofit
Halogen lamps draw significantly more power than LED equivalents, run much hotter, and burn out far more frequently. Converting your system achieves significant energy reduction and extends lamp life substantially.
Fixture replacement
When a fixture has cracked, corroded, or been physically damaged beyond repair. We carry Kichler and other professional brands and match the original fixture style and light output where possible.
Controller and timer service
Astronomical clock adjustments, daylight-saving corrections, manual override checks, photocell testing, and full controller replacement when the unit has failed or is no longer programmable.
What a lighting repair visit looks like
Outdoor lighting repair is different from most other service calls because some issues can only be evaluated after dark. Here is how we run it.
1
Booking and scheduling
Call our office during business hours and a real person picks up. We book you into a service window, typically same-week. For calls likely to involve aiming work, we note upfront that a brief dusk follow-up may be needed.
2
Daytime diagnostic and accessible repairs
The tech inspects the transformer, measures voltage at key fixtures, traces wire circuits, and handles repairs that don’t require darkness: lamp replacement, wire repair, transformer service, and controller programming. Most single-issue calls are resolved in this visit.
3
Nighttime walk-through when needed
Fixture re-aiming and light level balance can only be evaluated in the dark. For systems with multiple re-aimed fixtures or a new LED conversion, we schedule a brief dusk visit to confirm the result and make final adjustments. This is included, not an upsell.
4
Final test and documentation
Every circuit is verified before we close out. The timer and schedule are confirmed, transformer output is checked, and you receive an itemized invoice with a note on anything worth monitoring going forward.
When repair makes sense, and when an upgrade is worth considering
Not every aging lighting issue is a simple repair. Sometimes a partial or full upgrade makes more financial sense. The diagnostic visit is when we tell you that honestly.
- The system was working well and the issue is limited to a small number of fixtures or one circuit
- Lamp failure is the cause, not underlying wire or transformer problems
- The transformer has capacity remaining and is operating within spec
- The original fixture style and mounting are intact and appropriate for the landscape
- Total repair cost is well under what a partial or full system replacement would be
- Multiple circuits have voltage problems that can’t be corrected through re-wiring alone
- The transformer is undersized for the current fixture load or has reached end of life
- The original halogen system carries high recurring lamp costs and excessive heat output
- Fixture styles no longer match the landscape and a cohesive update makes more sense than piecemeal replacement
- A significant landscape renovation has made the original zone layout obsolete
Halogen-to-LED conversion is a useful midpoint — the wire and transformer often stay, only the lamps and sometimes the fixtures change. We tell you which option applies after the diagnostic.
If a full redesign is the right call, see our outdoor lighting overview
How outdoor lighting repair pricing works
Repair cost varies by what is actually wrong. Here is how we quote and the main things that drive cost.
Service call fee, then itemized parts and labor
Most repair visits start with a service call fee that covers the diagnostic. After diagnosis, you receive an itemized quote for parts and labor before we proceed with any repair work.
What drives the price
- Whether the problem can be isolated at the transformer or requires tracing individual wire runs
- How many fixtures or circuits need attention
- Whether parts — lamps, wire, fixtures — are stocked on the van or require special order
- Whether the repair is a quick swap or involves rewiring multiple zones
- Whether a nighttime walk-through is needed for aiming verification
Halogen-to-LED retrofit: the highest-value spend
Old halogen systems use significantly more power than equivalent LED fixtures, require far more frequent lamp changes, and run hot enough to stress fixture housings over time. A halogen-to-LED conversion achieves significant energy reduction and extends lamp life substantially.
Many homeowners find the retrofit pays for itself in reduced energy and maintenance costs within a few years. The wire and transformer often stay — only the lamps and sometimes the fixtures change.
See our outdoor lighting servicesWhy St. Louis homeowners trust us with their outdoor lighting
Green Turf has been servicing outdoor systems in the St. Louis metro since 1976. More than 380 five-star Google reviews. Office staff and service technicians have long tenure with the company.
We service all brands
We work on Kichler and other professional-grade systems regardless of who installed them. We don’t require you to replace components or switch brands to get a repair done.
Nighttime aiming visits included when needed
Fixture re-aiming cannot be verified in daylight. When a call requires aiming confirmation, we schedule the walk-through at dusk. It is part of the job, not an add-on charge.
Diagnostic-first, not parts-swapping
A dimmer fixture might be a lamp, a loose connection, or a voltage drop problem. We find which before we charge you for the fix — not after replacing parts that weren’t the cause.
Stocked service vans, single-visit fixes
Radio-dispatched vans carry common lamp types, splice connectors, wire, and transformer components. Most single-issue calls are resolved in one visit without waiting on parts.
Real people answering the phone
Staffed office year-round during business hours. Your technician calls 30 minutes before arrival. We coordinate with our irrigation and drainage teams when a service call uncovers issues across multiple systems.
Licensed, certified, and accredited
- Missouri licensed
- BBB accredited, A+ rated
- Fully bonded and insured
- In business since 1976
Frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting repair
How much does outdoor lighting repair cost in St. Louis?
Most repair visits combine a service call fee with itemized parts and labor. Simple work like a lamp replacement or a timer adjustment lands at the low end. Transformer replacement or multi-circuit rewiring is higher. We provide an itemized estimate after the diagnostic, before we proceed with any repair.
Why are my outdoor fixtures getting dimmer over time?
Most dimming is voltage drop — as wire connectors age and corrode, resistance increases and the fixture receives less than the designed voltage. Halogen fixtures are especially sensitive to this. LED fixtures tolerate a wider voltage range but will still show a difference when the drop is significant. We measure actual fixture voltage during the diagnostic to confirm the cause.
Can you convert my halogen lighting system to LED?
Yes. Halogen-to-LED conversion is one of the most common service calls we run. The wire and transformer often stay in place; we replace the lamps and in some cases the fixtures. The result is significant energy reduction, substantially longer lamp life, and far less frequent bulb changes.
Will you service a system you didn’t install?
Yes. We regularly service systems from any brand and any original installer. We work on Kichler and other professional-grade systems. We don’t require you to switch products or commit to ongoing service to get a single repair handled.
How long do outdoor lighting systems last?
A well-maintained system can last many years. Transformers and wire typically outlast lamps by a significant margin. The most common early failures are lamp burnout, connector corrosion, and physical damage to fixtures from landscape maintenance. Annual checkups catch most of these before they cascade into larger problems.
Do you need to come out at night to fix my lights?
Not always. Most repairs — lamp replacement, wire repair, transformer service — are handled in daylight. Fixture re-aiming and light level verification need to be done after dark. When a nighttime visit is needed, we schedule it as a follow-up at dusk without additional dispatch fees.
Do you offer emergency outdoor lighting service?
We prioritize calls involving transformer failure, potential electrical hazards, or significant wire damage. For non-hazard issues like burned-out lamps or a tripped circuit, we schedule within the regular service window. Call us at (314) 739-0410 and describe the situation — we will let you know how quickly we can route someone.
Other services we offer
Lighting repair is one part of what we do. Most clients use us for installation, irrigation, and drainage as well — all from the same company and the same crews.
Outdoor Lighting Installation
Custom-designed outdoor lighting systems for new properties and full redesigns. In-house design, in-house crews, and professional-grade fixtures installed to last.
Learn More
Irrigation Services
Sprinkler system installation, repair, spring activation, fall winterization, and backflow testing. Full-service irrigation from the same company and the same crews.
Learn More
Drainage Solutions
Surface drainage, French drains, and grading solutions that protect your landscape and hardscape investment from water damage and standing water.
Learn MoreGreen Turf Customer Testimonials
Over 500 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews can’t be wrong!
✨Green Turf is consistently praised for reliable, professional irrigation service delivered by knowledgeable technicians who genuinely care about their customers and their systems. St. Louis homeowners repeatedly highlight prompt response times, clear communication, thorough workmanship, and long-term dependability.
Get your outdoor lighting working again
If fixtures are out, zones are dim, the transformer is humming, or the system isn’t doing what it did when it was new, we’re ready to help. 50 years of St. Louis landscape lighting work, stocked service vans, in-house crews, and honest diagnostics back every visit.
