How long before I can use my new lawn?

Light foot traffic is usually okay after two to three weeks once the sod begins to root. Full use, including kids, pets, and mowing, generally takes four to six weeks. Walking on sod before it is properly rooted can pull up seams and damage the grass edges.

Can you sod over an existing lawn that's in bad shape?

No. Sod needs bare, properly prepared soil to root successfully. Installing sod over existing grass creates a barrier between the new sod and the soil, which can prevent proper rooting and lead to dead patches. The old lawn should be removed before installing new sod.

Is sod or seeding better for Ottawa properties?

Sod provides an instant lawn and tends to be more reliable during the first year. Seeding is less expensive but takes a full season to establish and can be affected by birds, dry weather, and weeds. For homeowners wanting quick and consistent results, sod is usually the better option, while seeding can work well for very large areas where cost is the main concern.

How much topsoil do you put down before laying sod?

Typically, a minimum of three to four inches of topsoil is installed before laying sod. If the existing soil is dense clay or heavily compacted, additional depth may be added in certain areas to improve drainage and root growth. The topsoil layer is important because it provides the base where the grass roots establish.

Landscape Lighting Installation in Ottawa – Extend Your Outdoor Living After Dark

Professionally installed landscape lighting transforms your Ottawa property at night, highlighting stonework, improving safety, and adding value. Get your quote today.

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Why Ottawa Homeowners Are Adding Landscape Lighting

Ottawa’s long winters bring dark evenings for a large part of the year, sometimes starting before you’ve even made it home from work. By late fall, the sun can set before five o’clock, leaving a beautiful patio or newly planted garden bed unused and out of sight for months.

Outdoor lighting changes that. Path lights, uplighting on trees, and fixtures along steps and patios let you use your yard after dark, whether that means dinner outside in September or safely seeing your walkway in January.

Modern front yard landscaping with ornamental grasses and a paver pathway on an Ottawa bungalow

Modern front yard landscaping with raised stone planting beds and paver walkway on a two-story Ottawa home

More Than Aesthetics – The Practical Benefits of Outdoor Lighting in Ottawa

Safety is a real factor along walkways and steps, where a well-placed fixture can prevent a fall on an icy or uneven surface.

There is a security angle too. A lit property is a less appealing target than a dark one. And practically, landscape lighting highlights the hardscape investment you have already made. A patio or interlock walkway that disappears at dusk is not earning its keep after dark.

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Our Landscape Lighting Services in Ottawa

Walkways need light where feet actually land. Patios need light that sets a mood. A stone wall needs light that shows off its texture, not just floods it. We treat each one differently.

Pathway & Walkway Lighting Ottawa

We tuck low-voltage bollard and ground-level lights along your walkways and steps, so you can see where you are stepping on a dark, icy evening without a single trip hazard left in the shadows.

Patio & Outdoor Living Area Lighting Ottawa

Your interlock patio should not go dark the moment the sun sets. We layer ambient and accent lighting so your outdoor living space stays usable and inviting well into the evening

Uplighting & Feature Lighting Ottawa

That armour stone wall or mature tree you love deserves more than daylight hours. We spotlight trees, stone walls, and architectural features from below, adding depth and drama once it gets dark.

LED Landscape Lighting Ottawa

We use energy-efficient LED fixtures across every install, so you get a long fixture lifespan, lower operating costs, and lighting that keeps working for years without constant bulb changes.

How Landscape Lighting Is Designed & Installed

We use a layered lighting concept, path lighting first, then accent lighting, then feature lighting, rather than treating it as one uniform system.

Low-voltage setups are standard for most residential outdoor lighting installation projects, with the transformer placed for easy access and wire routing planned carefully through hardscape and planting beds.

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Large-format natural stone patio with a raised stone border in an Ottawa backyard

Integrating Lighting with Your Existing Interlock or Patio

The best time to add lighting is during a hardscape project, since wiring can run underneath pavers before they’re set. If you’re planning a patio or interlock walkway soon, it’s worth planning the lighting installation at the same time rather than adding it as an afterthought later.

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How Much Does a Landscape Renovation Cost in Ottawa?

Cost is determined by the number of fixtures, the size and capacity of the transformer, the quality and style of the fixtures, and whether the wiring is run through existing hardscape or a new build. LED systems cost more upfront but save on operating costs over the long run.

Check our Price Guide for the general breakdown, then request a quote for your property.

Isaac Bennett Ottawa landscape contractor reviewing project plans

Why Choose Bennett Lawn & Landscape for Outdoor Lighting in Ottawa

We install lighting as part of hardscape builds regularly, not as a bolt-on afterthought. We position conduit runs before the base goes down and choose transformer locations with the finished layout in mind, so fixtures land exactly where they belong.

That upfront planning is why the lighting on our patios and walkways looks intentional, not tacked on later.

Trusted & Verified Landscaping Professionals

We back our work with verified reviews, industry memberships, and a commitment to professional standards.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 24 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Vanessa Davidson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We hired Isaac to redo our walkway and he was great to work with. He came out to our place a few times to discuss the project to ensure that we were getting what we wanted. He was very easy to get in touch with, answering our texts very quickly and kept us informed of next steps. On the day, he and his team were very nice and they were meticulous on getting the job done right. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Naomi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Isaac and his team provided high quality excellent service with fantastic communication. I would highly recommend this company to tackle you landscaping, we are so happy with the outcome!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Chris Sabourin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently hired Bennett Landsaping to update areas of our backyard.  We were extremely impressed with Issac and his crew! The job was completed on time and on budget. The level of communication was excellent, and Isaac and his  crew had some great suggestions that we were excited to incorporate into our original plan. Our property was left clean and free of any left over material and debis. Issac and his crew installed a beautiful firepit with a semi circular bench,  a water feature and walkway, which turned out beautiful.  We would not hesitate to recommend Bennett Landscaping, and would definitely use them in the future. Thanks Issac, Gibby and Remi for a job well done!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Franco Ziroldo 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A big thank you to Isaac and his team for finishing our patio to a very high standard, on time and on budget. This is a very skilled, organized and efficient operation.  Isaac and his team are straightforward, flexible and pleasant to work with.  He gave us the 5 star treatment so I give Bennet Landscaping a 5 star rating in return. Our neighbours had already reached out to him for work on their properties even before he had finished with ours. We look forward to the next project. Totally recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Gordon 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We are so happy with our new front steps!  Isaac was terrific throughout the project.  His creativity, solid knowledge of construction, attention to detail and professionalism transformed our front steps into a beautiful feature, beyond what we could have imagined.  His recommendation to add lighting brought the project to yet another level. His approach to his work extends to his crew who were on time, professional and more than happy to discuss the stages of the project and answer our questions along the way.  They worked hard, were pleasant to deal with and tidied up the site each day. It was a pleasure to work with Isaac and his crew, the results exceeded our expectations and we would highly recommend them.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Susan Bowen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you to Isaac and team for rebuilding our front entry way. We especially appreciate the excellent communication during the project. We feel confident with the quality of workmanship. Highly recommend Isaac Bennett.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Karen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was a pleasure dealing with Bennett Lawn and Landscape.  Communication is excellent.  All work was done as described by skilled and approachable staff.  I am truly pleased with the outcome of our project.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   sharon morris 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We can’t say enough great things about Isaac and the team at Bennett Lawn and Landscape! Throughout the project Isaac was professional and provided knowledgeable guidance. He helped us choose the right stone, created a virtual design so we could see the plan ahead of time, and checked in regularly to make sure everything matched our vision. Isaac and his team showed up on time and as scheduled every day. They worked efficiently and left everything clean and tidy at the end of each day. They were responsive, flexible with minor tweaks, and consistently went above and beyond to make sure every detail was perfect. Most importantly, the finished project truly exceeded our expectations. We are absolutely thrilled with the new walkway and stairs created by Bennett Lawn and Landscape! We were 100% satisfied with the entire experience and would highly recommend Isaac and his team at Bennett Lawn and Landscape to anyone looking for high quality, amazing interlock work.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   al belanger GARAGE BUILDS 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I are very happy with the team at Bennett Landscaping.  Very professional, did a great job and a great clean up.  Strongly recommend

Book Your Ottawa Landscape Lighting Installation Today

Your backyard should not disappear the moment the sun goes down. Book your free lighting consultation and start using your outdoor space long after dark.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Outdoor lighting in Ottawa needs to handle real winters, not just look good in a photo. Here are the questions we get most before installing it.

What type of landscape lighting works best in Ottawa's winters?

Not every fixture rated for outdoor use is rated for an Ottawa winter. We choose LED fixtures built for freeze-thaw cycles and heavy snow load, and we skip anything that only holds up in milder climates

Can landscape lighting be added to an existing interlock patio or walkway in Ottawa?

Yes, but wiring usually has to run along the edge, or through existing joints, rather than under the pavers, which is more involved than planning it when the pavers were first installed.

Is low-voltage landscape lighting safe to install in Ottawa?

Yes. Low-voltage systems run at 12 volts, which is safe around wet grass, garden beds, and general outdoor use. Line-voltage systems take a little more care.

How much does landscape lighting installation cost in Ottawa?

Cost depends on how many light fixtures, the size of the transformer, and complexity of wiring. Our price guide talks about the general factors and we provide exact quotes after an on-site review.

Do landscape lights need maintenance through Ottawa winters?

LED fixtures are generally low maintenance, but it’s a good idea to check closer to the ground fixtures for snow coverage and connections every spring.

Can I control my Ottawa outdoor lighting on a timer or smart system?

Yes, most of the systems we install will have timers and also smart or app-based controls depending on the transformer and fixtures you choose.