Turn Your Lights On: 5 Tips for Choosing a Professional Landscape Lighting Designer
- Dale DAmico
- Mar 10, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 16, 2025
When anyone talks about home security, one commonly overlooked step can give you an instant security guard, add real dollar value to your home, and create breathtaking curb appeal. It’s custom landscape lighting.
We often think of it more as a home improvement task because of its decorative effect, but the most crucial value it provides is safety and security. Professionally designed and installed lighting aesthetically illuminates your homes architecture, pathways, and landscaping, which minimizes the ideal hiding places for danger to lurk.
The season is changing, bringing longer days and ideal weather for lingering outside. Maybe you’re considering landscape lighting to expand your living space outdoors and to keep those areas safe during the night hours.
There are 5 simple actions you can take to ensure your landscape lighting system will be as cost-effective as possible and accomplish its total value:
1. Use a reputable landscape lighting design company focusing solely on outdoor lighting. Not only do they have high-quality products, but they also offer years of experience in design and installation. The best ones also provide a system warranty.
2. Schedule a consultation first. All reputable landscape lighting designers will walk your property with you and design a system, then provide a free proposal with a complete breakdown of the cost and placement of the fixtures being used.
3. Communicate any budget boundaries to the designer. If needed, the installation can be completed in different stages and still reach your desired effect.
4. Ask to look at samples of the lights they plan to install and understand the contract/agreement before signing one.
5. Read the company’s Google reviews to ensure they have established credibility in this skill. Happy customers are social proof that a landscape lighting professional has what it takes.
There are 2 total mistakes you can avoid that those who tried before you learned the hard way.
Total Mistake # 1: Hiring a general electrician to install landscape lighting
One of the requests I hear from my customers is that they need help fixing a job completed by a general electrician. They thought they would save money, but the results completely missed the mark aesthetically, and also in the quality and style of the lighting fixtures.
General electricians are certainly skilled in electrical components and standard fixtures, which is a great foundation. But they're highly unlikely to accomplish the goal without the additional skillset and creative experience in custom landscape design and selecting superior outdoor fixtures.
Total Mistake # 2: Using solar lighting fixtures
One might think that solar fixtures may be a perfect choice for landscape lighting. There’s no wiring, they are very cost-effective, and they use a plentiful energy source. The reality is that they only provide a dim glow on their best days, and when the weather is poor – or even just cloudy – there isn’t enough power to provide any light.
Hard-wired lighting is dependable and reaches optimal brightness, and the fixtures are so durable, they come with a lifetime warranty.
Dale Daniel Landscape Lighting Design
You have many options available when it comes to landscape lighting. My name is Dale, and I would be happy to help you cut straight to the quality and exceptional design your home deserves. Dale Daniel Landscape Lighting Design is located in Long Island, New York, and is committed to providing the area's finest design, installation, and landscape lighting service.
If you’re thinking about landscape lighting, check out one of our 40+ Five-Star Google reviews and contact me online or by phone at 516-492-1696 to schedule a free proposal.
As a Bonus - Mention this article, and I will include an extra fixture at no additional charge in our signed agreement.
Comments