Irrigation and outdoor lighting cover two different trades that often get bundled under the same crew, since both involve running lines (pipe or wire) under the lawn and beds, tying into a controller, and hiding the equipment so the yard looks clean rather than wired. In Toronto, that means sprinkler systems designed around clay-heavy soil and winter shutdowns, plus low-voltage lighting for steps, walkways, gardens, and house facades. We've profiled 15 businesses in the GTA that do this work, ranging from small irrigation-only specialists to full landscape companies that install lighting as part of larger builds.
What to look for before you hire
Ask how zones are mapped out. A well-designed sprinkler system separates turf from garden beds and sun from shade, since those areas need different watering schedules. For lighting, ask about transformer sizing and whether they use copper wire gauge that can handle voltage drop across a long run, not just whatever's cheapest. In both trades, get a clear answer on backflow prevention (required by city code for irrigation) and on whether spring startup and fall winterization are included or billed separately. Toronto winters mean any system not properly blown out in the fall can crack a line, so this isn't optional maintenance, it's part of the job.
How we rank contractors
Our scores weigh how a company communicates estimates, whether they explain zone design and equipment choices instead of just quoting a price, and what past customers say about follow-up service after installation. The full breakdown of how we weigh these factors is on our methodology page. For the ranked list of all 15 contractors with scores and details, see our best landscapers in Toronto guide.
