Mar 7, 2024 9:58:51 AM
When it comes to getting the most out of your lighting design, you want to make sure that you choose the best outdoor lighting company. But what makes a landscape lighting business the best?
Many companies offer lighting services, and you probably don’t know how to compare one to the next.
In this article, we’ll dive into some factors you need to consider before hiring a landscape lighting company.
These factors include:
Let’s dive into each of these factors and explain how they can help you make the best decision when it comes to hiring an outdoor lighting company.
In this industry, there are typically two types of landscape lighting companies. There are those that specialize specifically in lighting (which is what we do here at Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio) and there are those that offer lighting as an “add-on service.”
It’s quite common for lawn care or landscape companies to also get into installing outdoor lighting.
While that’s not to say that these companies can’t do a decent job, they’re not going to keep up with everything new when it’s only a small portion of their overall business.
They’re also not going to be able to provide the level of artistry and professionalism that you probably want. You’re going to get more of a basic landscape lighting package.
In fact, it will likely be very cookie-cutter as it’ll be something they’re comfortable doing. Many companies that offer lighting as an add-on service just have a very basic design that they replicate from property to property. But you want something custom and truly your own!
If you want to get the best results, you’ll want to look for an outdoor lighting company that does lighting all day, every day.
Another factor that separates the average lighting companies from the best ones is having a Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer on staff.
This certification is a big deal in our industry. It means that the individual holding it has gone through extensive training and testing in order to earn that credential which is given out by the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals.
Why is having a top-notch designer so important?
Well, if you truly want the best results, you need to work with the best designers.
An area where professional landscape lighting often goes awry is in the design. You might notice that a lot of lighting projects look identical (those “cookie-cutter designs” we talked about above). That’s because the landscape lighting designer didn’t create a custom design and failed to think outside of the box.
This is where hiring a Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer can make a world of difference.
A Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer is going to create a customized design that is right for your property and your needs. They’ll have the know-how and skills to think outside of the box and create something truly original.
You probably wouldn’t hire a contractor to build an addition for you or add a swimming pool without first looking at some of their work. But all of the time, people hire an outdoor lighting company without ever looking at some of the work they’ve done for other homeowners.
If you are looking for something pretty basic, then maybe that’s okay. But chances are, if you’re taking the time to read this article, you’re looking for a finished project that’s more than ordinary.
That’s why we recommend taking the time to look at the portfolio of any companies you might be considering.
This will help you get a much better sense of what their work looks like and what you might be able to expect from the level of artistry and professionalism that they’ll be able to offer when working on your project.
Even with a top-notch system, you’re going to have some maintenance that needs to be done. Keeping up with maintenance is important as it helps protect the long-term value of your system. For instance, insects and debris can get into the lights and require cleaning.
Sometimes a light can be bumped and an alignment issue will need to be corrected. But maintenance is also a matter of seeking out and fixing potential issues. Even changing settings to accommodate daylight savings is part of ongoing maintenance.
But many landscape lighting companies do not offer maintenance services…particularly if you’ve hired a company that does not specialize in lighting.
At Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio, we tell clients that keeping up with routine maintenance is a great way to protect the long-term value. We advise that homeowners invest in quarterly Lighting Maintenance Program visits that we offer.
At a minimum, our Lighting Maintenance Program involves coming out twice a year. However, we have clients that we come out as often as monthly for. If you have hundreds of fixtures and lights throughout the front and back of your house, there is much to be inspected.
With ongoing maintenance, you’ll gain valuable peace of mind.
Hopefully, this article gave you some practical factors to consider as you search for the right outdoor lighting company for your needs.
We would love for you to consider Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio as a potential option.
At Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio, we know that outdoor lighting is more than just something that “looks nice.” While there’s no doubt it will add tremendous aesthetic appeal, it also brings functional value by allowing you to get more use out of your space.
If you choose Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio for your outdoor lighting project, we are ready to help you maximize the enjoyment and use of your outdoor areas with a lighting design that is customized for you. With just the right lighting, you’ll be enjoying your property more than ever.
Are you ready to create a secure, functional, and beautiful property at any hour of the day? If so, let’s meet and discuss some bright ideas.
