FREE Outdoor Lighting Consultations
What’s the deal with consultations?
You’ve probably noticed that most outdoor lighting contractors will at some point encourage you to schedule a consultation. Oftentimes, contractors even offer FREE onsite consultations to discuss your lighting project.
Outdoor lighting contractors LOVE consultations and here’s why - a consultation gives us the opportunity to walk through your property with you so that we can give you an accurate quotation for your project. In addition, seeing your property in person helps us visualize the lighting design and select the appropriate fixtures and lamps for each area.
Outdoor Lighting Objectives
During the consultation, we will first determine your lighting objectives. We’ve found that homeowners and lighting designers often have different perspectives when it comes to lighting a home. Homeowners tend to focus on the utilitarian aspects of lighting (navigation/task lighting etc.), whereas lighting designers tend to focus on aesthetics – how can we use light to visually enhance your home and outdoor living spaces?
Determining your lighting objectives first will help us understand your intentions and prioritize the areas that you intend to light. Ultimately, this helps us establish the quantity of lights needed as well as any special installation requirements. Of course, our goal is always to design a beautiful outdoor lighting system, but it is equally important for us to design a system that fits your vision, meets your needs, and works with your budget.
Consider the following common lighting objectives:
Architectural Lighting – Architectural lighting usually consists of a combination of strategically placed uplights and/or downlights that accentuate the architecture of a home. Why let your beautiful home go unseen at night? Check out these before and after photos – talk about instant nighttime curb appeal!
Security Lighting – Think beyond the blinding motion sensor lights. Security lighting doesn’t have to be unsightly or boring. A thoughtfully designed outdoor lighting system will increase curb appeal and provide an extra layer of security. Read more about security lighting in the article, “How to make Security Lighting Beautiful.”
Navigational Lighting – Navigational lights illuminate pathways, stairs, driveways, etc. for safe navigation.
Task & Ambient Lighting - Outdoor living spaces are an extension of your home. Task lighting will make outdoor activities like grilling and eating easier while ambient lighting will create a welcoming environment for you and your guests to enjoy.
General Landscape Lighting – General landscape lighting artfully illuminates landscaping and hardscape features throughout your property. Landscape lighting allows you to create focal points with light – trees, plants, retaining walls, water features, etc. The options are endless.
What questions do WE ask during an outdoor lighting consultation?
These are some of the questions we like to ask during our consultations:
What are your lighting objectives? We may ask you to consider some of the common lighting objectives listed above if you don’t mention them as we walk through your property. We’re not trying to upsell you, we just like to be thorough!
What areas do you use most?
Do you have any safety concerns that could be remedied with lights?
What focal points would you like to highlight?
What type of atmosphere would you like to create throughout your outdoor living spaces (e.g. calm/relaxing or bright/energetic)?
Does colored lighting interest you?
Do you have a budget in mind for your outdoor lighting project?
Do you have a timeframe for when you want your lighting system installed?
What questions should the YOU ask during an outdoor lighting consultation?
Consultations are the perfect opportunity for you to ask questions too! Here are some common questions we get from homeowners:
What are my lighting options?
What’s the purpose of lighting this area?
What areas would you suggest lighting? As I mentioned earlier, homeowners and lighting designers often have different perspectives when lighting a home. Ask for suggestions. You may be surprised by what a professional lighting designer may suggest!
What brand of fixtures do you use and why? How does the quality compare to consumer grade fixtures?
Oftentimes, lighting designers will suggest using more lights than homeowners expect. Do not hesitate to ask: Why so many lights?
How much does outdoor lighting cost? Will you work within my budget?
What’s Next?
Always remember: a consultation is just that - a consultation. You are not obligated to invest in a lighting system just because you schedule a consultation with an outdoor lighting contractor.
At Limelight our consultations are always complimentary. Once we’ve met and discussed your lighting project, we use the information from the consultation to create a custom design plan utilizing the latest outdoor lighting trends and techniques. We will then provide you with a formal, itemized proposal detailing the type, quantity, and placement of fixtures as well as labor & materials and any additional installation requirements.
At this point, you can approve the proposal and schedule the installation OR we can adjust the proposal as needed to fit your vision and budget. Occasionally, if the project is complicated, we may ask to schedule a nighttime demonstration where we can bring lights to your house and show you various lighting options before you approve the proposal. Finally, once the proposal is approved - we will add you to our installation schedule and prepare for install day.
Outdoor Lighting, Charlotte, NC
Schedule a Consultation with Limelight Outdoor Lighting!
If you live in the Charlotte area and are ready to schedule a FREE consultation with Limelight Outdoor Lighting, simply follow the link below and follow the prompts to schedule a time that works best for you!
What if I am not ready for a consultation?
You may not be ready to schedule a consultation just yet, and that’s okay! We’re still here to help. The best place to start is by researching the different outdoor lighting options and the costs associated with each. This will help you narrow your search for the perfect outdoor lighting – and possibly, the perfect outdoor lighting contractor.
Consider visiting the Limelight Blog for more information on topics such as security lighting; kelvin temperature, beam spread, and lumen output; installing outdoor lighting in the winter; and professional outdoor lighting techniques.
Even if you are not ready to schedule your consultation, consider calling us or sending us a message - we would love to talk with you about your landscape lighting project and answer any questions you may have!