Hiring the wrong outdoor lighting contractor can be a frustrating and costly mistake. Here are some tips to help you avoid making this mistake:
Quality Materials
When it comes to outdoor lighting fixtures, cheaper is never better. If a contractor shows you aluminum or plastic fixtures, this should be a big indicator to go in a different direction. Unless the landscape lighting fixture is copper or brass, it will only last a few years.
You will find yourself having to replace many of the fixtures because they are not made to withstand the elements of the outdoors. Copper and brass lighting fixtures however are designed to fight against the elements to keep your system looking its best for years and years to come.
Reviews
When you begin your research, here are a couple of things to check for right off the bat. If the company has just as many negative reviews as they do good, consider this a red flag. It shows that they are not consistent with the quality of service they provide.
Even if they have fewer negative reviews than good ones, be sure to read through those negative reviews to learn why the customer was unhappy or why their project was unsuccessful. This will help you determine if concerns presented in the negative review could pose an issue in your project.
Licensing
One major factor to be aware of when hiring a landscape lighting contractor is those who are unlicensed. An unlicensed contractor is very risky, especially when it comes to lighting because they oftentimes do not follow the code when installing your system.
This is a very serious and dangerous issue that can be avoided by being sure to ask your potential contractor about their licensing status.
Get a written estimate
Before hiring a contractor, ask for a written estimate that outlines the scope of the project, the materials that will be used, and the timeline of competition. Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions of the estimate.
Trust your instincts
If something doesn´t feel right about a contractor, trust your instincts and look for someone else. You want to work with someone with who you feel comfortable communicating with and who you trust your instincts and look for someone else. You want to work with someone who you feel comfortable communicating with and who you trust to do the job right.
