The Benefits to a Top Notch Landscape Lighting Design – Tips on Choosing a Lighting Contractor

So many do-it-yourselfer’s get caught up placing lights everywhere in their yards that the true effect of architectural landscape lighting gets lost in the original vision of the homeowner. Then along comes a sub standard lighting company that hasn’t been properly trained to recognize the do’s and don’ts of landscape lighting. Generally they under do this and over do that -delivering an end result that is neither attractive or on budget or both.

The homeowners are usually upset by this point in the landscape lighting quest to learn they were duped by a crappy contractor with poor materials and installation practices. Once they hit this point – it’s  generally time to hire another Landscape Lighting contractor to get it right and that’s where Landscape Illumination in Valpo comes in.

What follows are some tips and advice on lighting design that should be addressed by a lighting consultant when they come on site to give you a free consultation.

First, here are a few questions you should ask yourself about any landscape lighting contractor:

1. Was the representative well prepared in his presentation with all current catalogs and pricing?
2. Did the representative listen to your needs addressing your questions in a polite and professional manner?
3. Did you feel trust in the representative?
4. Is the landscape lighting company insured, bonded, accredited, and the designer properly schooled in the art of architectural landscape lighting?
5. Do you feel the design he put forward meshed your visions within the paramenters for beauty safety and securing of your home?

If you answered yes to these questions then you should feel pretty confident that you have found a good landscape lighting contractor to work with.

Now here are some of our favorite lighting design tips:

1. A good designer will save you money. You will require less lighting and achieve a more beautiful design if the designer uses proper placement of all the fixtures and controllers.
2. A good designer will only highlight what should be highlighted and not burden you with un-important or non-attractive features that are better suited for natural daytime lighting.
3. Don’t be shy about your input. Everyone’s visions are different. Nor are designers mind readers. Therefore, open dialog is very important. If you wish to have that special tree lit, tell him. If your pond or pool is used during the evening hours, or you wish to see it from your favorite chair, tell him, and so on.
4. A good design starts with a good foundation. Ask what products the company offers. Look at their catalogs and inspect their warranties. Kichler landscape lighting and Vista landscape lighting are at the top of the threshold of quality products. I would insist their products to be used. Not only will you receive an excellent product, their lifetime warranties are the best in the industry.
5. Ask about lighting designs that are “abstract” to conventional thinking. A good designer works “outside the box” more than you may think. Chances are he has done a similar vision as yours in the past and possibly has photo’s of it to help you see it first hand.
6. Request a limited nightime demonstration. I cannot tell you how many mistakes by the homeowner are averted thru this process. What they think is a must have turns completely different once the light hits them. A good designer will recognize this pitfall immediately and show you the difference between what you thought was the perfect idea and the truest lighting design.
7. A good lighting design is similar to a well designed home. You wont be bothered with details such as light switches in the right place or a kitchen cabinet drawer that is so convenient to put away the cleaned silverware. Landscape lighting is just the same. Put the lighting where it is most advantagious and the design becomes alive. A properly done landscape lighting system will enhance everything about your home when the evening comes and will mitigate the design features you would rather only see in the daytime. IE garden hoses, mechanical items like power lines, AC condensers, gas meters etc.
8. Finally, a great design, by a great company, will offer you peace of mind. Your property will become beautiful beyond belief, safe to yourself and your guests, and secure against unwanted threats.

A good landscape lighting design will make your home beautiful, save you money, and make yourself proud of the most important investment in your life……your home.

If you’d like to see what Landscape Illumination can do for you landscape lighting needs, then contact us for a free consultation!