Why and How to Add Lighting to Your Landscape Services
Adding outdoor lighting installation to your landscape services will illuminate your clients' spaces and can also brighten your business prospects. Learn more in this quick guide.
In landscape design, outdoor lighting is a subtle but notable difference-maker that enhances outdoor living and adds value to a property. It introduces not only an element of beauty but also provides functionality and practicality.
Similarly, landscape and hardscape contractors can benefit from adding lighting to their service offerings. As outdoor living spaces continue to gain popularity, outdoor lighting installation is a sought-after service year-round that clients are likely to want to bundle with you, their go-to contractor, rather than having to find an additional vendor. It’s an opportunity for you to literally flip the switch and put the final touch on your projects.
In addition to being a great add-on service, you may even find that one-off lighting installations become a new revenue stream of their own. And, as always, when you provide great service and visible results, referrals become a very real driver of growth for your business.
Whether you’re still considering or are already venturing into lighting installation, here’s what you need to know:
Top Tools for Outdoor Lighting Installations
Having the right tools on hand will help make your installations more efficient and, in turn, more profitable. The essentials to get started are:
- 12 Gauge Low Voltage Landscaping Wire: Estimating the right amount of wire will require you to measure the distance between your transformer and the lighting fixtures. Typically, you’ll want to include about three extra feet of wire at each fixture for future flexibility to support new elements.
- Wire Connectors: These connectors are known for being reliable in outdoor lighting. They have a two-part design with a cap for joining wire ends and a silicone gel-filled sleeve to prevent moisture intrusion.
- Wire Stripper: When preparing wires for connection, a quality wire stripper that can adjust to the wire's diameter automatically can help prevent damage to the wiring.
- Crimp Tool: A crimp is used to securely join stripped wires for a stable electrical connection. It is indispensable for creating long-lasting outdoor lighting systems.
- 6-in-1 Screwdriver: You might already be familiar with this versatile tool that minimizes the need to carry multiple screwdrivers. Choose a model with a comfortable grip and a reliable mechanism for changing tips to accommodate various screw types encountered during installation.
- Multimeter Voltage Detector: A voltage detector is crucial for confirming that a lighting system is operating within the safe voltage range. It assists in checking connections to the transformer and addressing any electrical problems, thereby ensuring LED or halogen lamps perform optimally.
- Wire and Edging Trencher: This specially designed shovel is ideal for creating narrow wiring trenches. It can significantly cut down on installation time and physical effort.
These tools, while somewhat of an initial investment, are pivotal in ensuring that your lighting projects are streamlined and successful so you can continue to grow the service line.
Finding the Right Lighting Products
For landscape and hardscape contractors looking to source high-quality and reliable lighting products, Pro-Trade® offers an impressive selection that meets the demands of diverse projects and budgets. With an array of lighting solutions including fixtures, LED lamps, transformers and accessories, Pro-Trade® offers many high-quality products at affordable price points.
Pro-Trade's lighting control systems also provide enhanced timing and dimming capabilities. These systems allow homeowners to effortlessly adjust lighting levels to match specific times of day and occasions, enhancing both the functionality and ambiance of their spaces.
Most importantly, Pro-Trade® products are proven to thrive in any environment. Whether it's the rainy regions of British Columbia or the snowy landscapes of Quebec, Pro-Trade's lighting solutions are tested to withstand extreme weather conditions, ensuring reliability and performance year-round. This resilience makes Pro-Trade® an excellent choice for contractors operating across Canada, offering peace of mind that the installations will endure the elements and continue to perform beautifully over time. Learn more about Pro-Trade, available exclusively at SiteOne. (https://www.siteone.ca/protrade-lighting-and-tools)
Beyond the Installation: Building a Lighting Business
The final piece of the puzzle in offering lighting services is understanding the business and client relationship aspect. Here are a few key considerations:
- Education and Training: Continuous learning about new products, installation techniques and industry trends will further equip you to speak confidently when quoting jobs for clients. Our team at SiteOne can help you stay ahead of the curve.
- Marketing Your Services: Highlighting the transformative effect of landscape lighting on property aesthetics and safety can really resonate with clients. Before-and-after images, showcasing various lighting techniques and their impacts, are worth taking the time to capture as part of your process.
- Client Consultation and Design: Successful lighting projects start with understanding client needs and expectations. Offering custom lighting design consultations and utilizing demo kits can set your services apart by showing your commitment to creating personalized outdoor experiences.
- Navigating Challenges: Whether it's dealing with complex installations, managing client expectations or adapting to new technologies, being prepared to face and overcome challenges is part of growing a successful lighting installation business.
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SiteOne Content Team