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Quality landscape lighting is not cheap. The actual cost depends on several factors including size of yard, number of lights purchased, obstacles to installation, and material and manufacturer of the fixtures chosen. The average lighting project can cost between $250 and $450 per fixture, as installed. Most of our projects fall around the $325 per fixture average. Keep in mind that the lighting design may take more fixtures to complete than you may realize, so a cost-per-fixture average is just one piece of the estimate puzzle. We will do an initial consultation and verbal estimate for free, but a written estimate requires a design, and we charge for our design time.
For repair and maintenance rates, click below.
The simple answer is, as long as it takes. This isn't very helpful, I know, but each installation is different. Currently, 20-30 lights installed will take 2-4 days. My installation crew may fluctuate seasonally to keep up with demand, but my primary installation and service tech, Scott, and myself are able to get most of our projects done in under 1 week. That isn't to say there haven't been those projects that take 3 or more, but those are the outliers. Scheduling varies seasonally with demand, but we have almost always been able to break ground within 30 days of the contract being signed. Most times within 1-2 weeks depending on material availability.
Viewpoint Lighting does NOT install or recommend solar lighting. In concept, solar is very promising, but in reality, solar lights don't deliver. Technology has not yet evolved to allow a light fixture to gather and store enough energy during the day to do what it needs to do at night. Solar lights simply light up. They do not actually cast any light where you need it, on the path or on a specimen planting. Even the literature that accompanies most solar lighting fixtures states that solar pathlights are for marking the edge or boundary of an area or path. They are not intended to project light onto the path. So, with solar, all you will see at night is the fixture itself. Not exactly the look we're going for.
The difference between the lighting products I use and the ones you can buy in your big-box store is quality. The quality of the materials used, design, effect, and warranty are the big factors.
For example, a Box-Store integrated LED fixture will run about $25-$30, with 5 year warranty. My go-to fixture by comparison is solid brass, made in USA, and comes with a lifetime warranty. I charge $145 (includes LED lamp, and free service on the warranty). The difference between the two can be seen and felt. The manufacturers that Viewpoint Lighting uses in their projects use solid copper and brass, instead of copper-plated tin. They use advanced powder-coating techniques and top-quality aluminum to prevent corrosion and other damage. And they stand behind their products with an excellent warranty, to give you the peace of mind to know that your landscape lights will probably outlast many of the plants in your landscape.
Quality lighting products also generally put out more light, meaning fewer fixtures are required for the same amount of illumination.
There are many different ways to control the operation of the lights each night. Some more complicated than others. We like to keep things as simple as possible, because simple is usually more reliable.
Some examples of the controls available:
CLVLT stands for Certified Low Voltage Lighting Technician, and is a certification administered by the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP). Those holding a CLVLT are in an elite group of contractors who have shown they have met an exacting standard of knowledge and experience in order to pass the exam. As of 2019, there are 4 active CLVLTs in California. We have 2 of them.
The COLD designation stands for Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer. The COLD program is a 3 year certification program of instruction and peer-reviewed projects.
Andy not only is a certified designer and technician, but has served as the previous chair of the national CLVLT committee developing the program and is current COLD committee chair, educating the next batch of certified designers.
For more information on the CLVLT, the Certified Outdoor Lighting Designer (COLD) program, or the AOLP, click below!
Most hardware and home improvement stores carry low quality landscape light fixtures and lighting "kits" which are a waste of your time and money. These lights are generally made of plastic and/or thin metals which will bend, break, or corrode within just a few seasons. They also generally do not put out enough light to be effective. They are inexpensive, but over the life of your yard, you will have to replace them several times over, whereas quality lighting fixtures will be problem-free for decades.
Landscape lighting is either line voltage (120 volts) or low voltage lighting (LVL) (12 volts). Most landscape lighting installed today is low voltage, which must be installed and circuited properly. Voltage drop is the key problem when it comes to improperly installed LVL systems, because electrical wire loses power due to resistance, even the wiring in your home loses some of the initial input energy by the time it gets to whatever is consuming it (e.g. a lamp). If a 120v system loses 3-4 volts from point A (breaker panel) to point B (lamp), no big deal. 4 volts of loss is only 2.5% and is virtually undetectable with the human eye. However, in a LVL system, that same distance of wire from point A (transformer) to point B (a spotlight) will also lose 3-4 volts, but this time, 4 volts is 25% of the starting energy. Your pathlight is now getting 8 volts instead of 12 and appears dramatically dimmer.
The use of LED mitigates many of the issues we had with the halogen and other incandescent light sources, but issues can still arise on improperly engineered systems.
Since LVL systems use direct-burial wire, very little of the wire is protected (conduit, sleeves, etc.), putting it in direct contact with the soil. When your system is operating, the wire heats up and can actually draw in moisture from the soil and atmosphere around it. This moisture reacts with the copper wire and causes it to corrode, leading to increased resistance. More resistance means more heat and dimmer lights. Over time, given that enough power is going through an unprotected wire splice, the resistance and resulting heat can reach the point of creating fire. This is not uncommon in poorly installed systems, and usually only leads to a burnt spot of mulch or bark, but could lead to a much greater loss including your home. We use only 100% waterproof connections on all wire splices exposed to the elements so you won't have to worry.
Due to the issues discussed above, you should always have someone experienced with LVL systems design, install and maintain your landscape lighting. Ask to see examples of jobs they've completed and if possible, contact the homeowners of completed projects. See if they have had any problems. It is also a good idea to ask how their experience working with the contractor went. Do they return calls, are they available when you need them, did they finish on schedule, were they knowledgeable, were there any hidden costs. Working with someone you know you can trust will bring you peace of mind about the safety and quality of your system.
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