Trim lighting—also called accent or strip lighting—adds a sleek, custom glow to crown molding, stair treads, kitchen cabinets, and exterior eaves. Before ordering LED reels and hiring an electrician, every homeowner asks the same question: how much does trim lighting cost? CountBricks has generated thousands of AI-driven residential estimates, so we have data-backed answers ready for you.
Trim lighting typically uses low-voltage LED tape or rigid aluminum channel fixtures tucked into architectural details. Because the diodes stay hidden, you enjoy smooth, indirect illumination without visible bulbs. Applications range from a subtle toe-kick glow in a powder room to dramatic full-perimeter eave lighting that doubles as holiday décor.
• Linear footage installed • LED specification (standard, high-CRI, RGB, RGBW) • Housing or extrusion style • Electrical access and switch location • Smart controls or app integration • Interior versus exterior rating • Labor market conditions in your region
1. LED tape light: $2–$9 per foot depending on brightness and color control 2. Aluminum channel with lens: $1–$4 per foot 3. Low-voltage driver or power supply: $40–$150 each 4. Smart dimmer, hub, or Wi-Fi controller: $35–$120 5. Miscellaneous connectors, wire, and adhesives: $0.50–$1 per foot
Most residential electricians charge $75–$125 per hour. A straightforward 50-foot interior run may take two techs three hours—roughly $450 in labor. Exterior soffit installs often require ladders, weatherproof junction boxes, and longer cable pulls, pushing labor closer to $7–$10 per linear foot.
Many municipalities exempt low-voltage lighting from permits, but CountBricks always checks local code during estimate generation. If a permit is needed, expect $50–$150 plus one inspection visit.
• Bathroom vanity accent (20 ft RGBW): Materials $220, Labor $240, Total ≈ $460 • Kitchen cabinet underside (60 ft high-CRI): Materials $590, Labor $550, Total ≈ $1,140 • Whole-house eave lighting (250 ft RGB): Materials $2,200, Labor $2,000, Total ≈ $4,200
• Drywall or soffit patching after wire fishing • Upgrading the electrical panel for additional breakers • Smart-home ecosystem fees or additional hubs • Seasonal lift or scaffold rental for two-story exteriors • Post-installation calibration to eliminate dark spots
Speak into your phone, walk the perimeter, and CountBricks AI listens in real time, converts your words to takeoff data, and produces a line-item estimate in seconds. The platform automatically:
1. Captures linear footage through voice prompts and blueprint uploads 2. Pulls current LED pricing from national supplier feeds 3. Calculates labor based on historical averages in your ZIP code 4. Flags permit requirements and inspection fees 5. Generates a branded quote ready to send or schedule
Need to tweak the spec from RGB to high-CRI white? Change one dropdown and the totals refresh instantly. Visit CountBricks.com/services to see a live demo of instant trim-lighting estimating.
• Choose 24-volt tape over 12-volt to reduce voltage drop on long runs • Combine multiple short runs on a single driver when wattage allows • Opt for static white inside and reserve RGB for exterior zones • Time your purchase during seasonal LED sales flagged by CountBricks AI • Schedule installation during off-peak weeks to negotiate lower labor rates
Handy homeowners can self-install plug-in tape light kits for under-cabinet lighting, keeping costs near $4 per foot. However, any run that ties into the main electrical system should be left to a licensed electrician. CountBricks can generate a side-by-side DIY versus pro estimate so you can see real savings versus risk.
So, how much does trim lighting cost? For most residences, plan on $8–$18 per installed foot when using quality components and licensed labor. The exact number depends on your material choices, layout complexity, and local rates—variables CountBricks captures automatically in our voice-powered estimate engine. Ready to see exact numbers for your project? Visit CountBricks.com/consultation and schedule a five-minute virtual walkthrough today.
Last spring, the Ramirez family asked CountBricks, “How much does trim lighting cost if we wrap the whole house?” Their ranch-style home measured 220 linear feet of eaves. Using our voice takeoff tool, Mr. Ramirez walked outside, calling out footage as our AI captured each span. Within four minutes, his dashboard displayed:
1. Materials: 220 ft RGB tape, aluminum channel, weatherproof drivers, smart controller = $1,950 2. Labor: 28 electrician hours at $85/hr = $2,380 3. Permit and inspection: $85 4. Equipment rental: 2-day lift rental = $410 Total Projected Cost: $4,825
• Swapped RGB for dual-white LEDs, trimming $320 • Scheduled installation during a mid-week slot, saving 10% on labor • Combined two smaller drivers instead of four minis, cutting $140 Revised Total: $4,035
The crew completed the job in two days, finishing 3 hours under budget. CountBricks’ live tracking updated the invoice in real time, so the final cost landed at $3,820—5% under the revised estimate. The Ramirezes can now switch from warm white to cool white via their phone, and the annual holiday light struggle is officially over.
• Accurate footage input is half the battle—our voice capture removes tape-measure errors • Early value engineering discussions shave hundreds off material spend • Booking labor during shoulder seasons can yield double-digit savings
Thinking about a similar upgrade? Head to CountBricks.com/portfolio to view more trim-lighting transformations, then request your instant estimate. With CountBricks, seeing exactly how much trim lighting costs is only a conversation away.
