Landscaper vs. Landscape Lighting Design Build Specialist…There is a Difference!

Landscaper vs. Landscape Lighting Design Build Specialist…There is a Difference!

By Mike Gambino

Over the years while providing consultations and meetings with prospective clients sometimes the term “Landscaper” has been used far too broadly to encompass every aspect from the exterior design and development to maintenance of the grounds around a home or commercial property . There is a false belief that since a landscaper is an expert with plants and soils that they automatically must also be expert in landscape lighting design and construction. This is a common and often expensive misconception for a property owner to have.

Interestingly enough many of these property owners later call ME to help with  the mistakes the previous or current “landscaper” has made. This is frustrating and sometimes offensive as I am a dedicated specialized professional who is trained formally and practically in my field, but equally concerning is that otherwise really intelligent and successful people trust one of the most important and expensive aspects of their lives, (their yard) to a not so qualified Landscaper to handle every aspect of it.

What is a “Landscaper” you ask? it is a word primarily used for companies who focus on Trees, plants, lawns and while they may skillfully plant a tree, push a lawnmower, edge, blow, and maybe even mulch, they may have no idea about lighting. Would you go to a plumber for your skin condition even if they had some ointment? Would you hire your dentist to do a plant design for you? I think not…so why are you assuming a guy or gal who owns a pickup truck, lawnmower and maybe even a fancy shovel or two take care of lighting your landscape plants and trees? I know, it is a good question…That is not to say that people who are truly “landscapers” don’t do a good job at what they do, but there is an important distinction here when it comes to lighting.

The biggest problem in my particular field is that people who do not have the skill set but need the money and frankly do not care about your long term issues, will take work they are not qualified to do, and the people who hire them are not checking their credentials. If the person you are hiring doesn’t have an extensive landscape lighting portfolio that that shows a breadth of projects similar to yours and supports his/her competence, have them plant your trees and mow your lawn, but call a landscape lighting specialist for your lighting work. Just because someone knows plants does not mean they know lighting design, has ever studied those plants growth patterns or can understand the seasonal aspects (dormancy, flowering time, etc) of the plant selection they may choose and how they should be illuminated to  show to their highest potential after dark .

There are few really qualified professional here in the Los Angeles area or anywhere else in the country for that matter who have stand alone specialized landscape lighting businesses and it is going to take some time to research a qualified person to get the job done right. Well worth the time and effort when you consider the ramifications of the expensive mistakes an uneducated person could make to illuminate a mature garden or expansive landscape.  Anyone who has ever read my blog knows how I feel about installing cable inside of protective conduit and its necessity. Does your landscaper take the time, extra materials and effort to practice this or are they looking for the “quick fix” that does way more harm in the long run because they have no lighting knowledge? Do you know that damaged cable or poor connections sometimes take years to become noticeable, but that your electric bill and reduction of light and decline in system effectiveness will be almost immediate? Most companies throw low voltage cable unprotected inside sprinkler pipe trenches to save time and money, when their are knowledgeable, qualified, educated landscape lighting design/build professionals available, why are you settling for generalist companies taking short cuts?

Another important consideration when hiring is whether or not it is a legal business. If the person or persons you hire are not paying workers compensation and General liability insurance, taxes (Federal and State), they are making legitimate companies and small businesses pay less to their employees and make less profit to compete. And these people cannot be found when something goes wrong. If your immediate thought is “who cares if it’s cheap”, I am not going to change your mind anyway, but if this is something you had not considered, this might be a good time to do so. I will say that there are PLENTY of tax paying, legitimate companies who do shoddy work, but that is where your homework and research will pay off. Just because they can plant a tree or push a mower does not a landscape lighter make…Companies and small businesses who are about the consumer want to do the right thing by you and they should be honest in telling you, we do not do landscape lighting, I do not know that well, or let me find out who does and get back to you. If the company you use is referred to you from a satisfied customer, all the better. You may need to find two or more companies to meet all of your landscape needs. For example I do not prune trees but I can tell you how to they should be pruned for their best health and to look their best. 

When hiring for landscape lighting interview them for the job, just like any employer would.  Ask for references, look them up online, have a running dialogue that lets you know they understand your needs, they understand your vision and they understand what the heck THEY are doing. Keep a close eye on how things are going and when they show you who they are, believe them…If you have a good one, pay them well and refer them often as we are a dying breed.

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 27 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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