How to Handle Outdoor Lighting Challenges

Well-designed outdoor lighting can bring a lot of benefits to your home, venue, or commercial building: enhanced security, better curb appeal, and even increased property value. Some lighting installations are straightforward, and the most difficult part will be picking out the fixtures you want. But other properties can get a little more complicated. We’re here to help–with solutions for some of the common outdoor lighting challenges you might face. 

Challenge #1: The great outdoors

Notice the key word “outdoor” that appears in the phrase “outdoor lighting.” Yeah, you know: out there with the wind, and rain, with storms and humidity, with burning sun in summer and freezing temps in winter. Outdoor lighting is up against a lot of factors: insects, larger pests, and exposure to the elements. The first outdoor lighting challenge you face is the simple fact that nature is great, but it involves a lot of wear-and-tear. 

Fortunately, there’s a pretty simple two-step method for handling this challenge:

  1. Choose high-quality outdoor lighting fixtures, and 
  2. Take good care of them with regular maintenance. 

By the way, if you’re in the St. Louis area, we can handle the maintenance for you. Get in touch and ask about our annual maintenance package. 

Challenge #2: Failed connectors

Whoever named lighting system components wasn’t too creative. Case in point: lighting connectors. It’s easy to guess what function they serve–they connect outdoor lighting fixtures to the power supply. To avoid failed connectors, it’s important to consider both the quality of the connectors and where they’re positioned. 

Poorly designed, cheap connectors made from low-quality material will not last long in an outdoor environment. In fact, they probably won’t last too long anywhere. Certainly, the rigors of the outdoor world will speed their demise. Well-designed outdoor lighting systems will position the connectors defensively–that is, in more protected positions that reduce the impact of wind, rain, sleet, sun, and all that other outdoor stuff. Proper positioning of lighting connectors helps prevent exposure and deterioration.

Only an experienced outdoor lighting professional should deal with problems with your lighting connectors and wiring. We’re happy to help. 

Challenge #3: Bugs, pests, and pets

Some types of ants are attracted to electricity, and like to build their mounds around lighting fixtures. Spiders appreciate lighting fixtures as mounts for their web-spinning endeavors. All sorts of insects see light fixtures as a cozy little place to hide out from bigger pests or bad weather. 

Speaking of bigger pests, we think rabbits and squirrels are really cute. They’re also not very kind to outdoor lighting. They’ll chew through exposed wiring and dig around fixture supports. Pests like shrews and mice cause similar types of damage, and may even be able to get inside fixtures, especially if they’re not well-made and tightly fastened. 

Here’s what to do about this challenge: 

  1. Choose high-quality fixtures (no surprise here) because they have better designs and materials. They’ll be harder for these little varmints to break into and tougher to damage. 
  2. Have your outdoor lighting system professionally installed, so that all wiring is properly buried. 
  3. Keep fixtures clean and maintained. Clean off spider webs, pick up branches after a storm, make sure fixture supports are straight and mounting hardware is properly installed. 

Finally, if you have ongoing problems with a particular type of pest, it might be time to call in some pest control help. 

Challenge #4: Burnt-out light bulbs

If burnt-out light bulbs are a problem, the first thing to do is a system check. If you’re running old fixtures that still use incandescent bulbs, it’s time to upgrade. LED bulbs are energy efficient, can be adjusted to the color temperature and brightness you want, and have a long life. Some fixtures can be upgraded to LED bulbs with no problem. Other fixtures may be too old, and you’ll need to upgrade the fixture itself. 

If your lighting system is fairly new and you’re using LED bulbs, you shouldn’t have an issue with burnt-out light bulbs. Sure, bulbs will need to be replaced as part of regular maintenance, but you shouldn’t have frequent bulb outages. If you do, there may be an issue with the other parts of your system, and it’s causing voltage spikes. It’s best to have a lighting professional take a look at your system, examine the components, identify the cause and repair it safely. 

You may have noticed two recurring bits of advice: choose high-quality fixtures, and do regular maintenance. It’s good advice. When it comes to outdoor lighting, the money you save on cheap fixtures isn’t saved at all. You’ll have to spend it on repairing damage or replacing fixtures sooner rather than later. High-quality fixtures, on the other hand, cost more but are made from contractor-grade materials and often include lifetime warranties. When you combine great fixtures in a well-designed lighting system with regular maintenance, you’re already overcoming most of the outdoor lighting challenges out there. 

St. Louis homeowners, business owners, and venue managers: we’re here to help with your outdoor lighting challenges. Get in touch for a free consultation. 

Better Exterior Lighting for Events with the Right Fixtures (in the Right Places)

exterior lighting for events

Event planners and event venue managers have a lot to consider for every event. It’s like a big puzzle, and if one piece isn’t in the right place everything else is thrown off. One piece of the puzzle is the exterior lighting for events. Even if the event itself is indoors, the right outdoor lighting sets the mood and helps things to flow well. Without adequate exterior lighting, first impressions fall flat and the event just doesn’t sparkle like it could. 

There’s a lot to know about exterior lighting for events; one important place to start is with fixtures. While all components of a lighting system are important, from the wiring to the transformer, the fixtures are what you see. They create the look. And to get the look you want for a single event or an entire venue, you need the right fixtures in the right places. 

There’s a Right Fixture (and a Wrong Fixture)

When it comes to exterior lighting, there are many different types of fixtures. While they fall into a few big categories, there’s lots of variation within each category. The most important thing to remember is that the right fixture in the right place for the right function will work beautifully and efficiently. However, if you use the wrong fixture type to create a lighting effect it’s not meant to produce, everything will look wonky. 

Here’s an example: walkway lights are low-mounted fixtures with a beam of light that’s directed downward. They’re meant to be unobtrusive, and to shed light where people are walking, without throwing up a beam of light that would distract or blind someone when they glance down. They work great for that purpose, and for similar functions such as defining a perimeter around an outdoor seating area. They don’t work well, however, for highlighting trees or other landscape features; for that lighting effect, you need a fixture with an upward beam that can be angled precisely. 

You Probably Need More Fixtures than You Think

We get it: exterior lighting can be costly, especially for large venues or multiple outdoor areas. But when you try to save money by using fewer fixtures, the effect is just not going to be the same. Uplighting, for example, is meant to create a uniform wash of light across the front of a building. You need enough fixtures in place to let the spread of light from each one “touch” the one next to it. Otherwise, there will be dark spots and shadowy areas. You won’t have the uniform glow, and the whole thing will feel off–dingy and spooky instead of classy and welcoming. 

The same concept holds for walkway lights and landscape lighting. Too few fixtures can create an effect that’s the opposite of what you want; too much shadow, too little light. One approach that our clients find helpful is to divide the exterior lighting system into projects. Basically, we help design the whole system that you eventually want to have in place; then we break it into separate projects so you can add onto the system as your budget allows. It’s better to do one lighting project well than two lighting projects poorly. We can help you figure out the most efficient way to get great exterior lights in place across the whole venue, one project at a time. 

A final word on fixtures: you really do get what you pay for. You don’t have to choose the most expensive fixtures to get good quality, but you do need to spring for contractor-grade fixtures. They look better, last longer, and give you an exterior lighting system that will last for many, many events. Get in touch today so we can give you a free consultation on the best exterior lighting for events at your venue. 

7 Types of Exterior Lights that Event Venues Need

event venues

Event venues need a well-designed space and adequate lighting both inside and out. If you’re managing a venue or planning an event, don’t overlook the exterior lighting. The right outdoor lights make guests feel welcome, direct traffic flow, and help set just the right mood. Here are the types of exterior lighting that event venues might need. 

Security Lighting for Event Venues

The right type of lighting in the right places enhances security for event venues. That’s important not only during an event but when the venue is closed down. Security lights with motion sensors, mounted at corners and near entryways, can help deter theft, trespassing, and vandalism. These lights are ultra-bright, which is purposeful. However, that blinding brightness isn’t great for the atmosphere at an event. You can turn security lights off while events are going on. When it’s time to clean up, turn security lights on for high visibility–then enable motion sensors 

Safety Lighting for Walkways and Steps

Help keep guests safe by having the light fixtures installed at key points around the event venue. Two places that are especially important are walkways and steps. Pathway lights along sidewalks, paths, and trails show guests where to go from one area of the venue to another. They also help guests see potential hazards like dips, low points, or rough surfaces. For steps, you can use a combination of lighting fixtures that work best: pathway lights on either side of the steps, flush-mounted lights installed on the steps, lights on the railings, or pole-mounted lights angled to send a beam of light to just the right area.  

Entryway Lights and Uplighting

First impressions matter anywhere; for event venues, make sure the first impression is great with entryway lighting and uplighting. Professional exterior uplighting creates a uniform, polished appearance for each building that’s part of the event venue. Entryway lighting comes in a huge variety of fixtures to fit the style of the venue. Pair ceiling-mounted fixtures and sconces for a welcoming glow. To lead guests on a visually interesting journey from car door to venue door, use a mix of walkway lights and landscape spotlights. 

Perimeter Lighting for Event Venues

There are two types of perimeter lighting to consider for event venues. First, the exterior lights you need along the entire perimeter of the venue. These lights can range from utilitarian to highly decorative. It all depends on the type of venue, and how far the perimeter is from the areas where events actually take place. If the perimeter is out of sight from the event areas, you may only need pole-mounted security lights at key points along the property line. For areas that are visible to guests, use a mix of security lights for after-hours and decorative fixtures that complement the venue. 

Ambiance Lighting for Event Areas

For outdoor areas around event venues, the right exterior lighting is so important. Good lighting is key to creating a good atmosphere. It’s pretty hard to create a romantic feeling when overly bright spot lights are blinding the guests. It’s equally tough for guests to enjoy an event when the lighting is so dim they can’t see their food or each other. A well-designed exterior lighting system gives you options and adjustments so you can control the ambiance for each type of event. Look for exterior lighting fixtures with components like adjustable shields, dimmable bulbs, color-changing lights, and programmable settings. 

Exterior String Lights for Event Venues

String lighting includes the traditional “twinkle light” strands used for everything from weddings to Christmas decorations. Another type of string lights are bistro lights. Bistro lights evoke the feeling of a French cafe; imagine a glass of wine at a small table under the stars. You can use bistro lights to turn the corner of a patio–or the entire patio–into a magical gathering place. For permanent outdoor string lights, we use low-voltage LED lights and custom-made mounting poles to create the perfect exterior lighting for event venues. 

We love working with our clients to design the best exterior lighting for the needs, size, budget, and atmosphere they want to create. Let us help you set up the best outdoor lighting for your event venue. Get in touch today. 

How to Improve Curb Appeal for Your Home

improve curb appeal

Spring is outdoor season and real estate season. If your house is going on the market, you want to do everything you can to give it an edge. Improving curb appeal is a great start. Or, perhaps you just want to make your home more appealing for your own sake. It’s a great summer project. Improving curb appeal not only makes your home more enjoyable, it might even make your neighbors like you more, too.

Freshen Up for the Season

It’s out with the old and in with the current. Put away the worn-out wreath and the half-dead plants and bring in new, vibrant, fresh elements.

Here are some ideas:

  • Put a fresh coat of paint on the front door and shutters.
  • Add a seasonal wreath to the front door.
  • Add planters to the front porch or along the walkway filled with in-season, blooming flowers.
  • Trim all bushes and shrubs and clean out dead leaves and debris.
  • Add a fresh layer of mulch to beds and planting areas.
  • Update your porch light fixture and rug.
  • Check all outdoor lighting fixtures to make sure they are clean and functioning.

Improve Curb Appeal with Great Home Uplighting

If you do one thing to improve the curb appeal for your home, make it this one. Home uplighting will get eyes on your home, but make sure it’s done correctly. Poorly installed home uplighting will create shadows and dark spaces. It’s important to use enough fixtures, to space them at the right distance from the house, and to make sure the angle and intensity work to highlight your home and features. Read more about the keys to great home uplighting.

When it comes to adding residential uplighting to improve curb appeal for your home, remember to enhance what you have. Don’t copy what others are doing. What works for a big two-story brick won’t work for a sprawling ranch. Use uplighting to highlight and display the best features of your home and landscape.

Bring Attention to the Best Landscape Features

To improve curb appeal, you need to help people notice the best features of your home and landscaping. Unfortunately, these features can go unnoticed if you don’t help them pop visually.

Clear out leaves, debris, grass clippings, etc., that make any area of the yard look cluttered and messy. Trim tree branches and prune bushes that block the line of sight. Then stand back and scan your yard from across the street; what catches your eye? If it’s a distracting element–like a trashcan or woodpile–move it, cover it, or straighten it. Install spotlights to bring attention to beautiful towering trees, flourishing flowerbeds, or other landscaping features after dark.

Stage Your Outdoor Living Spaces

If you’re selling your house, staging it for photos and walk-throughs is key. You’ll rearrange furniture, clear out clutter, and get professional help to make your home’s interior look its best. You can do the same for the outdoor living spaces, from the front porch to the back patio.

Start by clearing all the clutter. Outside clutter can be bulky, so clear some storage space in your garage or shed if possible. Find a place for the trash cans, gardening tools, and sports equipment.

Imagine each outdoor space as its own functional living area. What’s the main function for each area? Perhaps the front porch is deal for sipping a cup of coffee and chatting as you start the day. Add two rocking chairs and a small table, and highlight with gorgeous flowering plant. Maybe the back patio is great for family gatherings and quiet evening dinners outside. Arrange patio furniture to show off the area, and add outdoor lighting to create the right ambiance.

Light Paths, Walkways, and Hardscaping

Use both traditional path lighting and minimalist path lights to show off paths and walkways in front of and around your home. Minimalist path lights are a more sleek, modern version of path lighting. While traditional path lights stand out of the ground, minimalist path lights are set almost flush with the ground or walkway. They provide a bar of light along the path, and bring a very modern, updated feel. You can also use outdoor lighting to highlight different parts of your hardscaping and outdoor areas. Light up the stairs to the deck, the small waterfall feature, the poolside patio, or that cute bench tucked under the maple tree. People will see what you show them, so use well-placed outdoor lights to show your home’s best features and improve curb appeal.If you’re ready to add a professional outdoor lighting system to improve home’s curb appeal, get in touch. We’ll come out to your home, provide a custom quote, and do a demo so you can see how the lights will look before we install. Our customers love us–you will, too!

4 Great Residential Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Summer in St Louis

residential outdoor lighting

As spring pushes into summer, we’re looking forward to all the outdoor possibilities. St. Louis knows how to make the most of great weather, from backyard barbecues and pool lounging to twilight drinks and dinner parties. This year, we’re all eager to safely have fun and get outside of our house-bound spaces. Take a look at these bright ideas (yeah, we said that) for making your St. Louis lighting the best of summer, so you can feel like you’re away from home even in your own backyard.

Low-Voltage Bistro Lighting

Bistro lighting has long been a go-to lighting choice for outdoor restaurant seating. Lately, we have seen a huge uptake in requests for bistro lighting in residential outdoor lighting. Ideas for bistro lights range from poolside to fire pit. Bistro lighting is versatile, and can work in a variety of different outdoor situations. It’s a feasible and really fun option for your outdoor seating, dining, lounging, or playing area, and brings a great “out of the house” ambiance.

A great trend for the 2021 St. Louis summer is low-voltage bistro lighting. DIY bistro lighting plugs into a standard electrical outlet—which works great, if you have an outlet where you need one. With low-voltage bistro lighting, you don’t need a place to plug in: we tie the bistro lighting directly into your landscape lights. So if you have a fire pit that’s down the trail from your house, you can still have great lighting and ambiance with low-voltage bistro lights, connected to your pathway lighting system.

Customized Light Display

One thing we find over and over is that each of our customers is unique. They have different ideas of the best residential outdoor lighting ideas for their particular space. And that’s no problem. We help our customers achieve the specific look and ambiance they want with customization in fixtures, placement, intensity, and timing. Remember: your outdoor lighting bill shouldn’t be full of surprises, and your outdoor lighting system should be what you want. 

For landscape lighting, built-in wifi timers allow you to run your lights when you want, automatically. For bistro lighting, you have even more programming options: we’ll show you how to use a phone all to control your bistro lights. You can set the timer and dimming options for bistro lighting, which makes it easy to adjust the feel in your outdoor space. When you’re ready to move from dance-mode to quiet drinks, your bistro lights will set the mood.

Landscape Feature Spotlighting

Landscape lighting has many functions, from lighting up your pathway to enhancing home security to making it safer and easier to move around your outdoor spaces at night. And, of course, residential outdoor lighting ideas for improving the ambiance and feel of an outdoor space are important.

Another great use of landscape lighting is to highlight certain features in your yard. People often don’t realize what a big difference it can make to highlight a beautiful tree, a fountain or pond, or a gorgeous flower bed. You put all the work into adding these landscape features to your yard, but half the time they’re hidden in darkness. Landscape feature lighting changes that, so you can enjoy and admire those beautiful landscape features anytime. It also makes your home uplighting more interesting and appealing. The right spotlighting on landscape features makes your home look more finished and adds visual interest for your evenings out on the patio.

Minimalistic Pathway Lighting

Sleek and modern minimalistic pathway lights are a big trend in St. Louis residential outdoor lighting ideas. More companies have caught onto this trend, so there’s a greater variety of low-profile, sleek pathway light fixtures to choose from. These provide a very different feel from the typical pathway light, which stands about knee high. Minimalistic pathway lights are designed to be out of the way, with a low profile that is right next to the ground, sidewalk, or other hardscaping. It provides a bar of light that emphasizes the shape and feel of the pathway rather than emphasizing the light fixture.

These low-profile, bar-style path fixtures are a great way to update your outdoor areas: imagine a fresh pop of color on your front door and modern fixtures lighting the path to it. Or update your pool or patio area with lights that don’t get in the way, but put the light right where it’s needed.

You can create great ambiance with the right kind of residential outdoor lighting ideas and fixtures. Whether you want a low-key ambiance, a party-ready backyard, or a minimalistic look, we can help with outdoor St. Louis lighting. Let us create a custom look for your outdoor space and make the most of summer. Get in touch now for a custom quote. 

5 Keys to Great Home Uplighting

5 Keys to Getting that High-End Look with Home Uplighting

Outdoor uplights for your home not only enhance your home’s security, but also make your home much more attractive. You can highlight the best features of your house and landscaping, increase curb appeal, and give your home a high-end aesthetic appeal. Here are the important factors to consider for excellent, professional home uplighting.

Use Enough Fixtures for Home Uplighting

Don’t stress about the quantity of fixtures you’re using when you install outdoor uplights for your home. Many times, when we present a design for home up lighting, people respond with one question: “Why do we need so many fixtures?”

They feel that the number of fixtures we recommend is more than needed and worry that the end result will be too bright. But what we know—and we help our customers to see with a full demonstration—is that it’s not about the number of fixtures. It’s about creating a uniform look across your home with the home uplighting you install. From left to right, you want uniformity so that your home is not only well-lit, but also looks more attractive all the way across.

Ask the Right Questions About Each Light

To achieve the look you want from home uplighting, think about what each fixture does:

  • What’s the function of the fixture?
  • Where is it pointed?
  • What area does it cover?
  • Is it the correct fixture for this area?

Using too few fixtures, the wrong fixtures, or fixtures set at the wrong distance or angle will result in dark spots and shadows. You won’t have the uniform, attractive appearance that you want to achieve with professional outdoor uplights for your home.

Consider also what you want to highlight with each fixture. If your home has features that are outdated, use outdoor uplights to highlight that beautiful maple tree or landscaping instead. Outdoor uplights can make your home more attractive by bringing attention to the best features, whether those features are part of the landscaping or the house itself.

Use the Correct Type of Light Fixture

Using the right fixtures for the right part of your home uplighting is important. For example, to illuminate a long, low wall, you need to use a wash light rather than an uplight. The wrong type of fixture will not be able to do the job it’s supposed to do.

These fixtures are often used in uplighting:

  • Bullet lights are spotlights with a narrow beam and can be surface mounted or pole mounted.
  • Wash lights provide a lower diffused ‘wash’ of light for walls and other flat surfaces.
  • Well lights are installed in the ground or landscaping to provide a soft, targeted uplight.
  • Flood lights are spotlights with a wider beam than bullet lights.

When considering the type of fixture to use in each area, look at the area it will cover and the spread of the light. If you have other outdoor lights in place, such as path lighting, landscape lighting, or flood lights on your porch, think about how these lights will work as part of your home uplighting.

Consider Intensity and Position on Outdoor Uplights

With the right fixtures in the right places, you can ensure a consistent look across the entire front of your home.

To keep the uplighting at the desired brightness level, we adjust the intensity. This keeps the uplighting consistent across windows, chimneys, bushes, trees, walls, and other features or obstacles. To make home uplighting less or more bright, it’s not about adding or removing fixtures but about setting the fixtures to the correct intensity.

Think about where each fixture is positioned, as well. You don’t want to shine lights into your home but on your home. Fixtures go on each side of a window, not pointed into the window. Play with the angle of each light to ensure it illuminates your home rather than casting shadows.

Focus on a Uniform Look for Home Uplighting

Uniformity is the key to a high-end, attractive look with home up lighting.

If you use too few fixtures, the end results won’t be adequate. It will look like people holding flashlights at your home. If you put the outdoor uplights for your home in the wrong places, or at the wrong angle, you’ll create shadows or dark spots, highlight the wrong features, or end up shining lights inside your home instead of on your home’s exterior.

At Outdoor Lighting Solutions, we are aesthetically driven to enhance your home. When we install home uplighting, we focus on creating a lighting system that makes your home look its absolute best. Let us demo what we mean for you and you’ll understand. We’ll help you design the perfect uplighting system, then schedule a time to come out in the evening and show you what professional outdoor uplights can do for your home.

What to Know About Pricing from Professional Outdoor Lighting Companies

Pricing to Expect from Professional Outdoor Lighting Companies

For any new project, you need to know what to expect in terms of cost. If you’ve never worked with professional outdoor lighting companies before, what costs can you expect? We’ll give you a look at the costs and pricing for outdoor lighting solutions, so you have the information to make the best decision for your home or business.

Cost of Materials for Outdoor Lighting Solutions

Let’s take a look at the materials for outdoor lighting solutions:

  • lighting fixtures
  • transformer
  • wiring
  • connectors
  • timer.

Not every lighting system will need all of these materials. It depends on the size and purpose of your lighting project, and whether you already have an outdoor lighting system in place.

It’s important to get professional-grade lighting fixtures. There is a big difference in quality. There is a corresponding difference in prices. A professional-grade light fixture will cost anywhere from $125 to $300 per fixture, significantly more than what you might buy at a hardware store. It’s worth the price difference if you want it to last more than a season. Contractor lights are more expensive because they’re made of much better material, so they can withstand all the changes in temperature and environment.

You should expect professional-grade lighting fixtures from outdoor lighting companies. Some companies may offer lighting solutions as an “add-on service” but not be aware of the differences between professional-grade fixtures and the fixtures sold at box stores. Don’t accept standard outdoor lighting fixtures from professional outdoor lighting companies. If you’re paying for a quality outdoor lighting solution, you should get the best fixtures and materials so that your lighting system lasts and looks good.

Cost of Installation from Outdoor Lighting Companies

The labor cost is the second factor to consider for outdoor lighting solutions. Many companies price the installation cost separately from the fixtures and other components. Their estimates might list the pricing for the fixtures and components, the labor rate and an estimate of the total hours or total labor cost for installing a lighting system.

We do things a bit different because we want to be very transparent with pricing and we want our customers to know what to expect:

  • We bill by the job, not by the hour. We can estimate accurately what a job will require, because the people making the estimates are also the people installing the systems. We know what to look for in advance.
  • We’re transparent with the fixtures we choose: we put part numbers on everything and try to stay close to what might pay for the same fixture if you ordered it online.
  • We build our installation and labor costs into the cost of the fixture. Our estimates include a per-fixture cost plus the cost of other materials needed for the project. Installation labor is included in that per-fixture fee. There are no surprises with additional labor hours added on beyond the estimated cost.

Cost of Maintenance and Repair for Outdoor Lighting Solutions

Maintenance and repairs are generally charged at the labor rate plus the cost of materials needed. The labor rate is often billed hourly, and will vary according to exact maintenance or repairs needed. 

Our fixtures have a great warranty and are going to last a long time; maintenance keeps them looking their best, season after season. There are lots of little things that could go askew over the course of the year with freezing and thawing, storms, wind, mud, moisture, outdoor varmints, lawn clippings, mulch, etc.

Maintenance includes things like making sure wires are in great shape, reburied properly, connections are working, and lights are clean and straight. Our Lighting Protection Plan gives our customers a predictable maintenance cost and keeps their lighting system looking as good as it did the day it was installed. We love taking care of the outdoor lighting solutions we’ve designed and installed for our customers.

Your lighting system needs repair service if components are damaged: an animal chews through a line, a branch falls, a storm comes through. While some maintenance needs are simple, repair issues can be complex. If you don’t know your lighting system you have a potential of burning out your transformer, which is the single most expensive component of an outdoor lighting system. Paying for a repair call—which will include the cost of labor and new materials needed—is often a much better choice than doing more damage to the system by trying to fix it yourself.

Pricing to Expect from Outdoor Lighting Companies

When shopping for outdoor lighting solutions, you should expect consistency and transparency.

  • Are the estimates clear and understandable?
  • Are the fixtures and materials high-quality?
  • Are the labor costs transparent and accurate?
  • Is the quality of service consistent over time?

We want to be consistent with our customers, rather than making the cost about details homeowners may not know or have any control over. Before we even give you a quote, we go out and look at the job and we know exactly what to look for when we’re bidding the job. That way we avoid critical errors that would add unexpected costs to the job. We are the ones who install it and we are the ones who bid it. We know what we’re looking for. There are no surprises on your bill with Outdoor Lighting Solutions.

TOP 10 Outdoor Lighting Myths

Many people shy away from lighting their own home with quality outdoor lighting because they have misconceptions about outdoor lighting systems. Sometimes it’s the cost that people are worried about, or how long it will take to complete a project. However, many of these concerns are unfounded. Here are some of the top myths about outdoor lighting systems.

Myth #1 –It costs too much money.
Many times homeowners assume the cost for LED outdoor lighting is out of their reach. Seeing many homes in the area, which truth be told are 2X’s the cost of their own, we often hear from potential clients, “I bet this stuff is out of my price range.” True, there is an initial cost which is considerably higher than waht can be purchased at the big box stores. However, long-term LED outdoor lighting costs 1/5 what traditional halogen lighting or other systems use. This is a historic opportunity; you will be amazed at how much you can afford new outdoor lighting!

Myth #2 –It takes too much time.

It typically takes .5 – 1 full day to install a fully functional lighting system for both the front and back of most homes.

Myth #3 –A smaller lighting company will build my system because he has fewer jobs on the books.

We call these “Paycheck Lighters” meaning they make ends meet, paycheck to paycheck. While it may be true they can get to you fast – they aren’t always the best. Hence, a good sized small company, with a small crew that is booked out well in advance (while not always convenient for your schedule) may indicate quality as so many people are requesting their services.

Myth #4 –It requires me to be home during installation.

Trusted, proven crews can work at your home while manage your work and free time. More than 90% of the time crews meet a home owner at the beginning of the work day as they are leaving for work and have the system installed, ready to go, before the home owner returns from work.

Myth #5 –There are too many hidden costs.
Nope. Another myth. A great outdoor lighting company knows the tools of their trade, especially product. At the time of your assessment 95% of what is needed to get the job done is quoted well in advance of work beginning. The remaining 5% is often unforseen instances, such as installation work-arounds (unknown underground wiring, plumbing) and this 5% almost never affects price, unless additional supplies are needed. Which, customers are notified of immediately to make the call on what happens next.

Myth #6 –They just don’t build them like they used to.
Notice your indoor lighting just does not last like it used to? That you are having to replace bubs in the home more frequently? Believe it or not, many customers have made the leap with the urge from government to regulate our light bulbs, producing an inferior product, that this same technology transfers over to outdoor lighting. Crazy but true, we do hear this. No, more than 93% of today’s outdoor lighting systems are LED which use 1/5 the power of traditional lights and last up to 6X’s longer. Most LED bulbs are warrantied for 15+ years of usage.

Myth#7 –I can do it cheaper.

This myth is a half-truth. Yes, as a homeowner you can do outdoor lighting cheaper. You can go through the internet and source professional LED lighting, wiring, wire-nuts, transformers and the like. However, is cheaper always better? Are you prepared to trouble shoot and provide your own system maintenance like a trained professional. To this myth we say – NO!

Myth #8 –An installer who builds 4 to 8 systems a week can get me better prices on my materials and labor.

There are advantages to installers who are movers and shakers in the industry. Larger discounts on product relative to volume sold is often the norm. However, if this is true, would not their prices go down to you as a homeowner as a result. No, we’ve found that at our pace we are right in line, often below, the high volume movers and shakers of the LED outdoor lighting installers in our market. As well, we find it often said from our clients that we have the ‘time’ to hear their needs and exceed their expectations.

Myth #9 –It’s not possible to install in the middle of winter.

Outdoor Lighting can be year round, as long as the ground is cooperative and not frozen. Many people get the urge for outdoor lighting in the winter as they have time to think about it. Don’t be hesitant to call and see if we can meet your needs – though – it might be a little colder than normal.

Myth #10 – All outdoor lighting companies are the same.
Some of our customers originally assumed the number of St. Louis’ outdoor lighting companies provided the same quality of outdoor illumination systems, landscape lighting installation and repair. Yet there’s dozens of installers who care more about making a quick buck, than providing a high quality system. These installers are frequently uninsured, inexperienced and sloppy when it comes to regulating glare, managing contrast levels and well-done pathway lighting. They often provide inferior light fixtures and accessories, and don’t include any type of maintenance package.

A top-rated landscape lighting company demands safe, high quality, low voltage components and outstanding lighting design. True outdoor lighting companies in St. Louis offer homeowners a maintenance plan to ensuring your system works properly for years to come. To guarantee top of the line quality, excellent lighting design, safety and reliability, hire an outdoor lighting professional who will give you the best system for your hard earned money!

Want to bust these myths? Contact Outdoor Lighting Solutions for a demonstration today @ 314-332-2030

RELAX! – Don’t Do It!

Summer is right around the corner. Time for getting outdoors and enjoying all that St. Louis summers have to offer.

However, do you find yourself coming in sooner than you like as the day progresses into night? Do you find yourself enjoying an evening on your deck or patio only to cut things short when it’s time to move away from the big spot light (free for all with bugs)?

Relax – Don’t Do It!

Don’t head so quickly inside when all you have are a few bright spotlights that only scare away the raccoons.

Instead, take time this summer to consider an outdoor lighting demonstration for your back yard from Outdoor Lighting Solutions and see about extending the night.

Proper deck lighting can extend the time you spend with family and friends outdoors increasing the chances to develop quality relationships with one another. A beautifully lit deck allows you to set the tone and relax a little longer.

Not to mention, a well installed deck lighting system adds an added sense of security for you, your family and guests. The National Association of Realtors has written often that outdoor lighting in one of the most beneficial features when adding simple security measures to your home.

But what about you? What are some of the benefits you see to adding accent lights and proper lighting to your deck or patio this summer? What are the top 5 benefits you see to adding lights to your outdoor environment this summer?

Drop us a note in the comment section below and we might just set you up with a free at-home nightly demonstration within the next week.

We’d enjoy the chance to come along side of you!

5 Greatest Reasons to Add Outdoor Lighting

At Outdoor Lighting Solutions we can think of more than 5 Great Reasons to Add Outdoor Lighting to your homes landscape and hardscape. However, for the sake of time. we’ve reduced the list down to this top 5 list. Enjoy!

1. Safety Matters!

You have heard it said, “Better safe than sorry”. Your family and your guests safety is important. Outdoor landscape lighting can be placed to guide paved pathways and away from ponds, pools and other structures. Traditional house lights may be well-intentioned, yet they don’t have much reach beyond their immediate area.

Using a combination of well-placed uplighting and accent lighting you can rest assured your guests and family will safely navigate your property.

2. Highlighted Security

Today, motion sensing lights are the basic extent of common security lighting. However, motion sensing lights do not help as actual deterrents. Most intruders will avoid your home if you have well-placed illumination throughout the yard and hardscape.

The assumption has been ‘brighter is better’. This assumption does not hold for security landscape lighting. Bright lighting creates many many more shadows to be truly effective. The absolute best combination of lighting for security and deterrence is a well placed, low level lighting throughout the landscape and hardscape.

3. Boost Curb Appeal & Add Value

Your homes curb appeal is in constant review. Your curb appeal can make or break a home in terms of appealing to potential buyers. Real estate agents profess, a home with attractive curb appeal can vault a home on the market from a ‘drive-by’ to a ‘show-stopper’. Create a selling advantage for your home by using both outdoor lighting and landscape lighting.

Lighting adds depth to a home’s overall appearance and makes it easier to see. Landscape lighting increases value more than many outdoor improvements. When it comes to landscape lighting, a small investment can go further to adding value to your home.

4. Getting The Inside Outside

Outdoor living’s the hot trend of the 21st Century. Getting the inside outside by well-placed furnishings, rugs and outdoor kitchens has been a trend for years to come.

Your outdoor lifestyles come with the need for outdoor lighting. A harsh deck light just doesn’t do justice to get the look you’re reaching for.

5. Setting The Tone With Entertaining Spaces

It’s true; there’s nothing as enjoyable as a perfectly lit room to begin setting the tone to any gathering. Outdoor landscape and hardscape lighting does that. The tone begins to set as your guests start their drive up to your home. Likewise, on those beautiful spring and summer nights, your back deck, patio or pier calls friends outside with the beautiful and inviting illumination you’ve developed.

ABOUT OUTDOOR LIGHTING SOLITIONS LLC

Outdoor Lighting Solutions LLC has been installing, repairing and servicing low voltage landscape lighting systems for well over 10 years now. Our experience ranges from small private residences, large estates, community entrances and commercial buildings.

We privileged to stay on the cutting edge of landscape lighting advancements. We’re always educating ourselves with training, updating our certifications and getting any new staff fully certified. You’ll find us to be one of the most experienced and highly certified firms in St. Louis.

We welcome your call whether it’s a question, need for service or repair, an inquiry about designing or installing an irrigation, or lighting, system. We’d be honored to put our experience to work for you. Call us at 314-332-2030.