You must have wondered about it a few times. How much does a street light cost? Well, you’re not the only one. Regardless of why you want to know the price of a street light, I’m going to write an elaborate article on it.
Street light prices can vary depending on a few factors. But more on that later. First, let me explain what you came here for.
So, let’s get started, shall we?
How Much Does A Street Light Cost?
This question can be a bit vague and the answer will vary depending on what you are asking. For instance, if you want to know how much do street light poles cost, the answer will not be the same as the cost of street lights. To avoid any confusion, let me explain them both separately.
Street Light Cost
An LED street light will cost you anywhere between $100 and $200, depending on the brand you’re buying from. These lights are comparatively more expensive than the sodium and halogen ones.
The reason for this high price is the light’s lifespan. These LED lights have an 80,000-hour lifespan. This lifetime is eight to ten times higher compared to MH or other HID. Considering all other relevant costs, LED lights are actually more convenient. They avoid the necessity of replacing the light frequently.
Street Light Pole Cost
So, how much does a street lamp post cost? Well, street light poles are pretty expensive. They can be anywhere between $2000 and $3000. And this cost doesn’t even include installation cost. The installation cost is around $1000 that you will have to add to the total cost.
Total Cost For Installing Street Lights
If we are not being precise, you can expect the cost of street lighting to be somewhere between $3000 and $4000. It includes almost everything. However, the factors responsible for determining the price can deviate from this estimation.
This estimation is also applicable for streets. If you are thinking about installing street lights on highways, the cost will rise. The total price will increase up to 20% for highways.
Related: Traffic Light Cost
Solar Street Lights Vs Traditional Street Lights
You might have heard about everyone switching to solar street lights from traditional ones. Why do you think that is? There must be a solid reason for the urban areas to adapt to this change. There is.
Even though the initial costs are confusing, solar lights are clearly above traditional lights when it comes to energy saving. If you calculate the cost of solar street light and compare it with traditional light, the results will surprise you.
A solar light will save you more than half if you’re considering long-term costs. This is only one light we are talking about. But no one installs one street light. Imagine the amount of money that will be saved when installed hundreds of solar lights.
One reason why these solar street lights haven’t been widely accepted yet is because of their installation cost. Because these lights require advanced technology, they are comparatively more expensive than others.
These energy-efficient options are yet to be popular. Once everyone embraces this innovation, it will certainly be one step ahead in saving energy. Because these may seem costly at the beginning, they’ll save a lot in the long run.
Factors Affecting The Price Of Street Lights
As I have already mentioned a few times, there are a few factors that affect the cost of street lighting will be. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why prices may vary.
Materials, Tools, And Others
When I say materials, I mean a few aspects in one word. The first thing that matters is what the pole is made of. Replacement and newly installed street lights can have different prices. The procedures are different and so are the costs.
Installing or replacing a street light requires heavy equipment and manpower that causes large expenses. On the contrary, if the street light only needs its bulb changed, the cost will be comparatively lower.
Area
The most obvious reason is the area you live in. Every area comes with a different price range. The labor cost and the installation equipment cost are obviously going to vary from one area to another. But the surprising fact is that even the bulb prices vary depending on where you live.
Light Type
The type of light and pole also has an influence in determining the price. For instance, regular street lights and solar-powered street lights prices will be different. So, estimating the price is a bit difficult in this situation.
The bulb installed in street lights also affects the price. There are different bulb types including high-pressure sodium bulbs, halogen bulbs, and LED bulbs. All of them differ in price.
Place
Street lights can be installed on either roads or highways. The prices for highway street lights cost more than the ones on the road. The procedure is comparatively complex that increases the price. There are also street lights for installing in front of houses. These are comparatively less expensive.
Labor Cost
One variable cost that keeps fluctuating when it comes to street light costs is the labor cost. It changes depending on the time, the economic condition of the country, and the area. Besides, different service providers may charge different rates for their services. This cost isn’t fixed so it can deviate the estimated amount of cost.
The kind of service required for a particular street light also influences the labor cost. For instance, changing the bulb will cost a lot less compared to installing a new street light. Because the latter one includes buying a new pole, bulbs, and requires advanced equipment.
Why Are Street Lights So Expensive?
A few factors make street lights more expensive compared to others. The first reason is the materials. The pole and the bulbs are not like ordinary materials, which increases the cost.
The second thing that makes this comparatively more expensive is the procedure. When installing a new street light, they need an excavator for digging the surface. Even if this task is done manually using a shovel, the labor cost increases. Overall, it’s a very complex job that requires unique and expensive tools.
Last but not the least, because it’s a complicated task, the labor cost increases. Unlike most other jobs that don’t require much professionalism, this is not a one-man job. It requires multiple people, which naturally increases the price of street lights.
Who Pays For Street Lights?
You might be wondering who is responsible for installing street lights and replacing them when needed. The authority can differ from area to area. In some regions, the city or the county owns the street lights and maintains them. So, when a light is broken or damaged, people need to inform the authority.
In some cases, an electricity company will be responsible for street lights. When streets lights are installed by a commercial company, they usually charge a fee from the people living in that area.
Sometimes homeowners request to have street lights installed in front of their houses. If this is possible in that particular area, the homeowners usually pay for the electricity bills of the street lights.
Depending on the region, the responsible party who pays for street lights can vary. For instance, if someone damages a street light, they may be legally bound to pay for that light.
Frequently Asked Question
Q. What are street lights called?
Street lights have several synonyms that are used in different regions. Some of them include lamp posts, street lamps, light poles, light standards, etc.
Q. How long does a street light last?
The lifespan of street lights can vary. The range is from 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. If I’m illustrating these hours to years, the range will be from 12.5 years to 25 years. Because considering the life to be 25 years would be too optimistic, the more realistic length would be 15 years.
Q. How much power does a street light use?
The amount of power entirely depends on the bulb type. Some bulbs can use up to 1000 watts of power. On the contrary, some energy-efficient bulbs only need 73 watts.
Q. How long does it take to install street lights?
Installing street lights only takes around 10 minutes considering that you have the proper equipment and two people assisting you. However, the time can vary depending on whether they’re changing a bulb or installing a new street light.
Q. What kind of bulbs do street lights use?
The most common type of bulbs used in street lights is high-pressure sodium bulbs. There are also halogen bulbs. These days, LED bulbs are getting common too.
Final Verdict
So, that’s everything about how much does a street light cost. If you want to know more regarding street light costs, you need to find the right authority who is responsible for street lights. The authority can differ depending on the region you live in.
Hello, I’m a specialist in cost estimation. My name is Daniel and I have been in this field for 3 years. I estimate the cost, materials, and time needed to render a service or manufacture a product. It usually involves in-depth research and calculations, but with years of practice, I have become an expert cost estimator.