Client characteristics for a successful Landscape lighting project Experience

Client characteristics for a successful Landscape lighting project Experience

By Mike Gambino

Articles like this often focus on how to find a great contractor or the dos and dont’s of a certain project, but we’ve learned over the years that it’s equally important for clients to enter a project with the right mindset.

Why? Because projects inevitably seem to go more smoothly for “good” clients. Materials arrive as scheduled and are the correct type, finish and quantity. Installers are eager to show up and strive to do exceptional work. Work gets completed on time and on budget. But what exactly makes a good landscape lighting client?  Here are some traits that good clients inevitably share:

  • They don’t select a landscape lighting design/builder based on price alone.  A good client appreciates that good service providers are professionals and that ultimately, you get what you pay for when it comes to quality and expertise.
  • Mutual respect. After having gone through the proper process to select a lighter, they honor that professional’s ability, experience and time just as they expect their landscape lighter to respect their time and business.
  • Trust and openness about the project’s scope and budget. Being upfront and honest about your budget will save you money, time and heartache. A number of factors and material selections can dramatically impact a project’s cost and a professional and experienced landscape lighter will work with you to meet your desired budget, if it is realistic. Remember that in addition to what you see being accomplished on the jobsite, there is lots of hands-on activity occurring behind the scenes; materials are being selected and ordered and prepared, follow through and follow-up contact with vendors and product deliveries is being coordinated, and timelines and coordination with tradesmen are being planned and scheduled.
  • Hand in hand with that honesty goes open-mindedness. Being open to learning about new ideas and being realistic about scope, materials and costs are key to a smooth project.
  • They exhibit a solid understanding of the process. No one expects a property owner to be a landscape lighting construction expert; it’s actually the responsibility of your system builder to establish a clear understanding of your project’s procedures, phases and timetable. Yet good clients strive to grasp the process and be aware of what needs to happen, when.
  • A willingness to do their part to make the project successful. It takes a high level of desire and commitment to obtain a successful outcome, particularly when you are living in the construction zone.
  • The ability to be decisive once presented with the facts. When it comes to selecting materials or making a critical decision, the ability to act quickly will keep a project on track and budget.
  • Asks questions. If you don’t understand something, just ask. A true professional should never have an issue with explaining the reason for something. Keeping concerns to yourself only hinders communication and can build resentment.
  • Flexibility. A landscape lighting remodel or new construction project is a technical undertaking involving many details and phases both on the jobsite and behind the scenes. The one constant in these projects is change. Some phases will progress faster than planned while unforeseen issues inevitably will appear during the course of a project. Common causes of delay due to coordination with other trades or weather, can be nerve-wracking for homeowners and lighters, but if you keep your mind on the ultimate goal and realize that some time delay is normal, you won’t get bogged down in minutia and lose sight of the big picture.
  • Finally – likeability. Both property owner and design/builder should like each other and be able to work together for several years as ultimately the original system builder should be the one handling the ongoing maintenance. If that relationship isn’t founded on trust and respect, the process won’t go as smoothly as it should.

Of course, no matter how wonderful you are to work with, it can all be for naught if you are not working with a licensed, professional contractor. So make certain that the team you choose is made up of professionals who are qualified to work on a project of your scope.

The ultimate payoff of being a good client is having a great experience. You’ll feel good about the project; it will become exciting and fun instead of stressful; and everyone involved will be proud of and happy about the job – which means your results will be spectacular.

This landscape lighting blog is published by Mike Gambino of Gambino landscape lighting inc. all rights reserved. Mike is a professional landscape lighting system designer/ builder and has been designing, installing and maintaining landscape lighting systems for more than 20 years. Mike resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife and 2 sons. To visit his website go to www.gambinolighting.com . To inquire about hiring Mike please click here .

Blog articles may be published with permission on other websites without editing or removing links.

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