What we fit
- Sensor floodlights over garages and drives
- Lanterns with a photocell that come on at dusk and go off at dawn
- Rear-door and side-yard fixtures changed on the existing box
- Floodlights with a built-in camera on a wired exterior box
- Detection zones narrowed so swaying branches don’t trigger the light
- Weather sealing at the base on stucco, wood siding and brick
Lighting older San Gabriel lots
Census estimates put the median San Gabriel home at 1957, and a good share of houses are older still. Lots from that era tend to be deep, with a garage at the back and the original exterior lights limited to a porch lamp. Big street trees add shade and, at night, plenty of moving branches for a sensor to see.
The Department of Energy’s guide to efficient lighting strategies says photosensors stop outdoor lights from running in daylight and motion sensors turn them on only when needed, then off shortly after. For lights used mainly for safety, it suggests pairing the two. For decorative lights it suggests a photosensor to switch on at dusk with a timer to switch off later in the night.
Our process
Look at coverage
We walk the drive and paths with you and decide which existing boxes should get which fixture.
Change the fixture
Power off at the panel, old fixture down, new bracket and fixture up, connections made in the box.
Weatherproof
The canopy is sealed to the wall surface with a gap left at the bottom where the instructions ask for one.
Tune after dark
Sensor angle, distance and on-time are set; we can return at dusk if the job ran in daylight.
Where our part stops
A new box on the house, wire buried to a garage or yard, or a new circuit goes to an electrician. We change fixtures at existing locations and mount solar or plug-in low-voltage lights.
Before the visit, text us
Photos of each outdoor fixture, a wider shot of what it should light, and links to any lights you bought.
Outdoor light questions
The light keeps coming on with no one there. Why?
Usually branches or traffic in the sensor field. Narrowing and lowering the sensor fixes most of it.
Can it glow dimly all night and brighten on motion?
Many sensor fixtures offer that mode. We set it when yours has it.
Do you mount on old wood siding?
Yes, with a mounting block where the surface is uneven.
Can I get a camera light at the garage?
Yes, on an existing wired box, if Wi-Fi reaches.
Will solar lights work under big trees?
Not well. Their panels need open sun.
How do I keep light off the neighbors?
Point the heads downward and choose shielded fixtures.
Should the wall switch stay on?
Yes, so the sensor can do the work.
Can you add path lights?
Plug-in low-voltage kits, yes. Buried wiring to a new circuit, no.
Where should a photocell face?
Toward open sky, away from other lights that could fool it.
How long does it take?
Most fixtures take under an hour each.
Can a fixture match an older house?
Yes. Lantern styles in black, bronze or copper suit Spanish and Craftsman houses, and many now come with sensors built in.
Will a sensor see the whole drive?
Most cover a wide arc. On a long drive, a second fixture at the garage end fills the gap.
Related guides
- New porch and outdoor lights on stucco wallsHow to replace porch, garage and exterior light fixtures on stucco walls in San Gabriel homes, including weather sealing and sensors.
- Video doorbells on older homesHow we install video doorbells on stucco and old wood door frames in San Gabriel, using existing doorbell wiring or battery models.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our electrical fixture swaps group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.