A Landscape Lighting Designer/Builder’s ETHICS

23 Oct A Landscape Lighting Designer/Builder’s ETHICS

By Mike Gambino

If you own a landscape lighting business, that means that every day you’re faced with choices. You make choices about how to market your business, how to interact with clients, and how to conduct yourself and your business. Sometimes these choices cause us to consider the best way to run our business. Sometimes, because we are human, these choices us tempt us to take shortcuts, or even worse, to cross the line. With that in mind, here’s my thoughts on a set of landscape Lighting Designer/Builders Ethics.

1. Only show work in your portfolio you created, preferably for a client and not photos of mockups, temporary displays or demo’s that never actually got built but legitimate projects that your prospects could actually drive by and view if they care to do so.
2. Don’t steal photos. Presenting someone else’s work as your own – whether in person, or on your website – is deceptive and unethical. It will get you bounced out of this industry faster than just about anything else.
3. Don’t steal credit for ideas, concepts, designs that are not your own. I always give credit where credit is due and do not accept it if it is not rightfully yours.
4. Don’t lie to your client or to potential clients.If you are uncomfortable working for a client, “I’m not available,” is a perfectly acceptable answer. “I’m already booked,” is not – unless you actually are. Don’t promise a system at an agreed upon price for an agreed upon set of specifications when you know there is no way that it is deliverable to the clients satisfaction.
5. When you take a retainer, put it aside.Don’t spend it on operating expenses. Likewise, when you collect deposit money for design/build project, or other product, put the amount needed to cover your costs in a separate savings account. This money is not available for you to spend – they are committed funds.
6. Collect appropriate sales tax on every transaction. Never fail to include sales tax as a way to sell against your competition. Remit taxes to the appropriate government agencies (local, state, federal). Speaking of Federal, keep accurate records and file your taxes accordingly.
7. Keep your word.Deliver all services and products as promised. If you make a promise, you have to keep it. If you say a project will be completed in 6 weeks for the big party, then you must deliver the completed project in 6 weeks. If you can’t, be upfront and honest with your clients and give them a reasonable idea of what to expect.
8. Carry liability, workers compensation, equipment and errors and omissions coverage for your business.Those are all separate policies and some are legally required by state department of consumer affairs. If you’re a Professional landscape lighting designer/builder, you must obtain proper coverage to protect yourself, business, employees and clients alike , Working with a local insurance agent that can help you assess your needs is an investment work making in your business.
9. Always have backup gear.If you’re working under tight promised deadlines, there’s no excuse for not having sufficient backup equipment in case something happen. This means at least 2 work vehicles should one go down, as well extra products stocked immediately available on hand because things change all of the time. You may get a better idea of how to light a subject which means different equipment than originally planned. Or the client may change the scope of the project increasing it midstream which will require on the fly changes and extra products immediately available in order to complete. Remember, Murphy’s law and anything with an on/off button will eventually fail.
10. Don’t practice on your paying clients. Golfers don’t try new shots during a tournament, they do it during practice, and on the range. This doesn’t mean you can’t explore and experiment sometimes – especially once you know you’ve gotten what you need. It does mean that you better know what you’re doing before you start accepting money. If you want to practice, do it on your own property or a friend or family members.

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 .

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