The Builder’s Pre-Wiring Guide for Landscape Lighting

If you only remember one thing from this article, make it this: there are critical areas where conduit should always be installed during construction. Missing these areas creates expensive problems down the line — and limits the lighting design potential of the property.

1. Pool Planters & Raised Beds

• These areas are often framed in concrete or hardscape, making post-build access extremely difficult.

   

• Lighting here adds stunning depth around pools and patios, but only if it’s wired ahead of time.

   

2. Landscape Islands

• Whether in motor courts, long driveways, or backyard lawns, these islands are ideal spots for palms, specimen trees, or boulders — and lighting them requires pre-routed conduit.

   

• Without access, you’re stuck trenching through finished turf or ripping up pavers.

   

3. Underneath Driveways

• Want lighting on both sides of a drive? You’ll need to run wire underneath it.

   

• Install 2″–4″ schedule 40 PVC sleeves before pouring concrete or laying pavers to avoid angle-grinding or uninstalling pavers

   

4. Under Walkways & Synthetic Turf

• Like driveways, sidewalks and turf areas become very laborious to cross once finished.

   

• Use conduit to future-proof these paths and ensure complete lighting coverage across the yard.

   

5. Aquatic Features & Pool Shells

• This includes waterfalls, scuppers, jets, and even inside the pool itself (for niche lighting).

   

• Lighting aquatic features requires low-voltage conduit or flex sleeves during rough-in — no do-overs once shotcrete is in.

   

6. Stair Tread Locations

• Whether masonry, pavers, or poured concrete, step lighting must be planned in advance.

   

• Install small junction boxes or conduit for future recessed lights or integrated tread fixtures.

   

7. Retaining Walls

• Wall-mounted fixtures and cap lighting add huge curb appeal — but you can’t run wires inside block or poured walls after the fact.

   

• Plan sleeves that come up into the wall cores or through weep holes before backfill.

   

🔧 Pro Tip: Cap both ends of every conduit and leave a pull string. Document all runs on a plan or in your builder handoff packet for future reference.