How Can a Homeowner Identify a Good landscape Lighting Designer/Builder at an initial site meeting?

21 Oct How Can a Homeowner Identify a Good landscape Lighting Designer/Builder at an initial site meeting?

By Mike Gambino

When homeowners have a home improvement project such as installing a new landscape lighting system, they must first decide what companies to bring in to evaluate the project. However, there are many questions–will the landscape lighting Designer/Builder be a good one? Will this person respect their wishes and meet their expectations? In this article you’ll find a few key things to look for in a landscape lighting Designer/Builder that will help any homeowner identify who will be awarded the work.   

1. Are they on time?

Being on time is one of the best signs of a good business person. This means they not only respect you as a potential client but also respect their profession and themselves.

2.  Are they aware of your perspective?

Do they pass your initial first impression test? A good landscape lighting Designer/Builder knows that potential clients are looking at them the moment their vehicle arrives. Are they paying attention to your first impression? A business person that tries to see him or herself from your point of view is someone that respects both your space and expectations. Their attire should be professional, and their vehicles should provide a positive image of their work.

3.  Do they have charisma?

Is this person someone that you can connect with? Or do they come off as someone who is trying to push a product? Will this be someone that you can easily remember? Did this person have charisma? A good Designer/Builder will leave you with a lasting impression; one of personal character and professional conduct that will help you remember them, long after they left.

4.  Passion

Has this person showed you their passion for their product, service and their trade? Do they believe in their product? Do they express their passion in a way that makes you trust in them, their product, and their company?

5.  Product knowledge

Test your Designer/Builder after you have done your research. Do they really know their product? Are they a trained professional who can explain their product and its installation? Can the Designer/Builder explain the warranty in a way that you understand? All these are key questions that your Designer/Builder should be able to answer easily and thoroughly.

6.  Respect

Make sure that the candidate has an awareness that they are in your home—and that most of their actions are preceded by a request for permission. This is a great sign that they have respect for you and your space.

7.  Communication

A good Designer/Builder will explain their product in language that you can understand. They won’t rely on industry jargon. Also detailed questions will be asked of you in order to identify your needs. They should identify what products are best for your property based on the answers that you provide.

8.  Honesty

Honesty is paramount. You should expect that any business person will try to sell you their products; after all, that is why they are there. But there is a big difference between selling and pushing. Only honesty, passion, and good business practices can show you that this person is the right person to work in your home! Check references and past customer experiences to make sure that you are hiring a good contractor.

9. The Pitch

Does the Designer/Builder really know their pitch, or does it seem like they’re just improvising? A great business person has a prepared pitch that they “stick” to. This is a great sign that their company has its act together! This doesn’t mean that they should behave like a robot; it’s more that the Designer/Builder truly knows their process, and can guide you through it in a way that makes you feel comfortable.

10. Closing is for amateurs

Be wary of anyone who tries to rush the close. Any Business person is expected to try to sell to you and to hopefully close the job, but only once you’re ready. They need to educate you in every aspect of their product, how their product is installed; what goes where and what does what, and why. Remember: this is your home. Whatever they are selling will become part of your property. Quality Outdoor lighting most of all helps protect your family from unwanted intruders by acting as a deterrent much like a security system except before the fact.  If the Designer/Builder fulfills a need by providing a good product and service, and if they can educate you on how and why you need their product, then the closing is done naturally throughout the visit. Signing a contract is simply a positive outcome of their work.

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 26 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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