What the work is
Good landscape lighting is aiming and restraint. Fewer fittings, aimed carefully, at a lower level than most people expect. The failure mode is glare: fittings you look at instead of the thing they light.
Low-voltage systems are the usual answer and the transformer and cable runs are what decide whether it still works in five years. Line-voltage work is our licensed electrical partner's.
What is included
- Walking the property after dark before anything is specified
- Transformer, cable and fittings, installed and aimed at night
- Timer or photocell set with you
- Aiming adjusted after dark, which is the only time it can be done properly
What is not
- Line-voltage work, new circuits or panel work, which is our licensed electrical partner's
- Permanent architectural lighting on the building, which is a different job
- Fittings not in the approved schedule
Ivins has a colour temperature rule and St. George does not
Ivins sets a residential lighting colour temperature limit that covers single-family homes. St. George has no colour temperature rule at all, which is worth knowing because it is regularly claimed that it does.
Your town page carries what applies where you are, with the section number. If you are in an association, they may set their own limits on top.
What to ask anyone quoting this, us included
- What colour temperature, and what does my town require?
- Will you aim these after dark?
- What is the transformer sized at, and is there headroom?