How much do patio lights, fans, heaters and blinds cost? (2026 guide)
BeforeInsulated Roof PatioPatio extras such as lights, a ceiling fan, outdoor blinds and a gutter connection add a few hundred to a few thousand dollars each. Lights and fans are the cheapest add-ons, blinds cost the most, and all wiring must be done by a licensed electrician.
Below you will find indicative patio extras cost ranges for 2026, what moves each price, and the safety basics for outdoor heaters. Use it to budget the whole alfresco area, not just the roof.
Patio extras cost at a glance
These are typical supply and install ranges, including GST. They are indicative only: your installer or electrician sets the real price after seeing your site.
| Extra | Typical supply and install |
|---|---|
| Lighting | $600 to $1,500 |
| Ceiling fan | $500 to $1,200 |
| Outdoor blinds | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Gutter connection | $300 to $800 |
| Old patio removal | $500 to $2,000 |
Typical Australian ranges before any state difference. Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician.
The extras sit on top of the patio itself. A 6 × 4.5 m insulated roof patio in Perth is about $15,000 to $17,500, and the same size in Brisbane is about $16,000 to $19,000. Our patio cost guide has every style and state.
How much do patio lights cost?
Lighting is the most popular add-on, because it turns a patio into a space you can use after dark. The price depends on a few things:
- Number of fittings: four downlights cost less than eight, plus a dimmer.
- Distance to the switchboard: a long cable run, or a run under a slab, adds labour.
- Roof type: insulated panels have a finished ceiling, so downlights sit neatly inside it. On a plain steel roof, lights are often fixed to the beams instead.
- Switching: a switch inside the house is standard; extra switches, sensors or smart controls cost more.
Choose fittings made for outdoor use. A covered patio still gets wind-blown rain, dust and insects.
Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician
This is not optional anywhere in Australia. In WA, the law requires all electrical work to be done by a person with the relevant licence. For most jobs, your contractor must then give you an electrical safety certificate within 28 days.
Queensland's Electrical Safety Office says DIY electrical work is unlicensed work, and it is illegal. Fines reach $40,000 for individuals, and your insurer may refuse a claim for a fire caused by illegal work.
Energy Safe Victoria says the same: unqualified electrical work is dangerous and illegal, even for small jobs like swapping a light switch. Always ask for the electrician's licence number before work starts.
How much does an outdoor ceiling fan cost?
A ceiling fan is one of the best value extras in a hot climate. It moves air under the roof and makes a still summer evening far more comfortable.
The cost depends on the fan model, whether it has a light built in, and how far the cable must run. Ask for a fan rated for outdoor or damp locations, because indoor fans are not built for humidity and salt air.
Height matters too. A higher roof, like a gable or a raised skillion, gives a fan more room to work. Our guide to the best patio roof for hot climates explains how roof shape and fans work together.
Outdoor heaters: gas or electric?
Heaters are priced separately from our extras, because the range of products is so wide. The bigger decision is gas or electric.
| Gas patio heater | Electric radiant heater | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Freestanding, no wiring | Fixed to the roof or wall, hardwired |
| Who installs | You set it up | Licensed electrician |
| Fumes | Produces carbon monoxide | No combustion fumes |
| Best for | Open, well ventilated areas | Patios with blinds or walls |
| Running cost | Gas bottles | Electricity |
Gas heater safety basics
Energy Safe Victoria says outdoor gas appliances, such as patio heaters, should never be used indoors or in an enclosed area. They need ventilation so carbon monoxide can escape. The gas is colourless and odourless, and its symptoms can look like flu.
Check the cylinder connection each time you reconnect it. Energy Safe Victoria suggests brushing soapy water over the joins with the gas on. Bubbles mean a leak, so turn the gas off and recheck. It also strongly discourages adaptors between incompatible fittings.
If you plan to drop blinds on cold nights, think hard before choosing gas. With blinds down on several sides, a patio can start to behave like an enclosed room.
Electric heater basics
Electric radiant heaters mount under the roof and warm people rather than air. They need their own wiring, so book them with your lights and fan. Follow the maker's clearance distances from the roof and from blinds.
How much do outdoor blinds cost?
Outdoor blinds are usually the most expensive patio extra, because they are made to measure for each opening. The main types are:
- Clear PVC blinds: keep out wind and rain while keeping the view. Good for winter.
- Mesh shade blinds: cut glare and heat but let air through. Good for west-facing patios.
- Canvas or acrylic blinds: block sun fully and give privacy.
- Channel-guided blinds: run in side tracks, so they stay put in wind and seal better against insects.
The price rises with width, drop, number of bays and the type of operation. A motorised blind costs more than a crank or spring system, and its motor needs an electrician to connect it.
Gutters and downpipes
Every solid patio roof collects rain, and that water has to go somewhere safe. Most patios get their own gutter on the low side, with a downpipe at one or both ends.
The "gutter connection" line in our extras covers joining that water into your existing downpipe or stormwater system. The cost depends on how far the nearest connection point is, and whether pipes must go under paving.
When you compare quotes, check:
- where each downpipe will sit, so it does not land in the middle of a doorway;
- whether the new gutter matches the house gutter in profile and colour;
- whether the stormwater connection is included or left to you.
Our guide to Colorbond colours for a patio covers matching gutters to your roof.
How to keep extras on budget
A few simple habits stop the extras from blowing out your patio cost:
- Decide before you sign. Adding lights after the roof is on usually costs more than wiring during the build.
- Book one electrician visit. Group lights, fan, heater and power points into a single job.
- Ask for conduit. Even if you skip a fan now, a spare conduit makes it cheap to add later.
- Get extras itemised. Each extra should be its own line, so you can compare quotes fairly. Our checklist on how to compare patio quotes helps.
- Plan for removal. If an old structure must come down first, read our guide to replacing an old patio.
Want to see the patio, pergola or verandah first? Backyard Mate shows your chosen style on a photo of your own house in about 30 seconds. It also gives an indicative price for your state, and one local installer can call you for a free quote.
Common questions
Can I install patio lights or a ceiling fan myself?
No. Fixed wiring for lights, fans, heaters and power points must be done by a licensed electrician. Queensland's Electrical Safety Office says DIY electrical work is unlicensed and illegal, and WA and Victoria have the same rule.
Is a gas or electric heater better for a patio?
Electric radiant heaters suit patios that you may close in with blinds, because they burn no gas. Outdoor gas heaters need open air: Energy Safe Victoria says they must never be used indoors or in an enclosed area because of carbon monoxide.
What is the most expensive patio extra?
Outdoor blinds usually cost the most, especially wide motorised blinds with side channels. Lights, a ceiling fan and a gutter connection each cost far less. Our extras table gives indicative supply and install ranges.
Is it cheaper to add extras when the patio is built?
Usually, yes. Cable and conduit are easier to run before the roof is finished, and one electrician visit costs less than two. Ask for lights, fans and power points to be priced in the same quote as the patio.
Do patio extras need council approval?
Lights, fans and blinds usually do not need their own approval, but the patio itself often does. Electrical work has its own compliance paperwork; in WA your contractor must give you an electrical safety certificate within 28 days for most work.
Keep reading
Sources
- Don't do your own electrical work | Electrical Safety Office Queensland
- Having electrical work done | WA.gov.au
- Electrical DDIY: Don't do it yourself | Energy Safe Victoria
- Victorians reminded not to use outdoor gas appliances indoors after 6 hospitalised | Energy Safe Victoria
- Campers urged to use outdoor gas appliances safely this Easter weekend | Energy Safe Victoria
Prices on this page come from Backyard Mate's pricing for each state and are indicative only. Rules and products change: check with your council and installer before you build.