Jul 18, 2024 11:22:47 AM
You want to know, Is professional landscape lighting worth it?
While we know it’s a significant investment, there’s a tremendous difference between a DIY lighting job and true, professional outdoor lighting. Too often, landscape lighting is underestimated (even by so-called pros!). But a few spotlights or a row of path lights added to your property do not add up to a sophisticated landscape lighting design (and it will show).
If you want to get the most out of landscape lighting, you’ll want to work with a professional landscape lighting company.
Of course, the key is making a wise choice amongst the landscape lighting companies out there. In this article, we’ll talk about how to find a professional landscape lighting company that will help you get the best possible results.
These days, with the Internet at our fingertips, searching for services is easier than ever. All you have to do is search for “landscape lighting around me,” and plenty of landscape lighting services in Memphis will pop up.
But with all these choices, how do you compare the options?
We recommend starting with a list and doing some research on each of the companies you’re considering. This can be done by spending some time on their websites and also looking and “social proof” through online reviews and testimonials.
If you care about getting the “best of the best,” we suggest also looking for companies that meet the following criteria:
We’ll explain why these three factors are so important.
One of the first things that you should look for is a company that exclusively focuses on lighting. There are a lot of companies that just do lighting as an add-on service while their main business is landscaping or something else. But you want to find a company that does lighting all day, every day.
This is going to help ensure that you get an expert in the field who can help you with the best results.
A company that specializes exclusively in landscape lighting services is also going to be the best at keeping up with what’s new. Believe it or not, there are still some companies installing outdated, incandescent lighting even though LED light technology is far superior.
A key reason to consider LED landscape lighting is because it’s much more efficient. This is because of how they use energy. LED bulbs do not require as much power to produce light. It’s the same reason why these bulbs remain cooler (temperature-wise). These energy savings mean dollar savings. Even though LED is more expensive upfront, it’s going to save money in the long run.
In general, you want to make sure that you’ve selected a landscape lighting service that is committed to staying on top of “what’s new,” including the latest lighting techniques, skills, and products.
We also recommend looking for a company that employs a Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer. This is the highest level certification out there and means that you’re getting a true pro.
Homeowners sometimes overlook the importance of good design. But 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.
Have you ever noticed that a lot of lighting projects look identical?
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 huge difference in your results.
In fact, one of the principles of the program I completed with the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals is to “expose participants to different perspectives in lighting design.”
Individuals who have earned the Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer certification are more likely to think outside of the box and come up with creative ideas. They haven’t just learned “one way” to do things and they aren’t just following a checklist.
There are plenty of companies that just install outdoor lights and then don’t do any maintenance work. But getting the most out of your landscape lighting system means also keeping up with routine maintenance.
This should include regular checks to ensure your system is functioning optimally and making tweaks as needed.
Since light fixtures are outside, it’s not uncommon for them to get bumped or moved. Alignment issues such as these can be easily fixed during routine maintenance. This might sound like a small thing but it actually makes a big difference in maintaining the integrity of your design.
Landscape lighting maintenance is also about finding and fixing potential problems. Bulbs still do get broken or over time (10+ years) might require changing. Along with that, sometimes wires make their way up to the surface and need to be re-buried.
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.
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.
As you consider your options for landscape lighting services in Memphis, we hope that you’ll keep Mid South Outdoor Lighting & Audio in mind.
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.
