Gambino Landscape Lighting’s Quality Guarantee

All work is personally designed and installed by the owner, Michael Gambino. Should your system require service, the original installer will be available to address your needs. In addition we offer and highly recommend a maintenance service program performed by us two times per year beginning after the first year of installation.

Gambino Landscape Lighting uses only the highest quality, lowest maintenance outdoor lighting system components available on the professional market that will not rust. Most of our products have the Gambino name embedded in the component, have been designed by us and are exclusively manufactured to our exact specification. Our products are available only two ways. Either purchased directly from us as a part of a design build project. Or from one of our select authorized professional design companies that operate outside our normal service area of Southern California.

Unless your neighbors hire us to do their lighting you are guaranteed to have unique product that is not available to every landscaper, electrician, gardener or handyman off the shelf at their local distributors warehouse.

All of our systems are engineered to operate between 11 and 12 volts to maximize light output, lamp life and electrical efficiency.

Unlike most companies who offer outdoor lighting services as a sideline to their primary business, landscape lighting is my only business and it receives 100% of our attention.

Here are some frequently asked questions:

Q: Why should I consider an outdoor lighting specialist?
A: Because you have invested time and money into the exterior architecture and landscaping of your outdoor lighting projects for disillusioned property owners who put blind faith in their original installer who in many cases was the same individual who had repaired their roof or poured their driveway etc… Also, with a specialist like myself service after the sale is much more accessible. I am always available to past customers in need of lamp replacements, general maintenance and technical assistance. This is especially important when there is an immediate need for service – i.e. an outdoor party or reception is planned, there’s a problem with the system and the original installer is no where to be found. I look at it like this. Every system I install has the potential to lead to another sale. Most of my jobs result from satisfied customer referrals. Therefore, since outdoor lighting design and installation is my only source of income it is in my best interest to make sure your system is performing properly and that you are completely satisfied with the work I’ve done.

Q: When should I start planning for an outdoor lighting system.
A: The earlier the better. Savvy clients budget for and get us involved during the conception of a project as to not miss any lighting opportunities that they or their designers and architects may not have thought of. It is best to plan for outdoor lighting during initial landscape and hardscape plans. This is especially true if built-in fixtures like lights in step risers or hip and cheek walls are desired. However, 60% of my projects are installed into pre-existing and finished landscapes. The bottom line is I am willing to work with you regardless of when you decided you wanted a high performance landscape lighting system designed and built to last on your property.

Q: How long will the job take from start to finish?
A: When I start I job I am on the site for consecutive days (wherever possible and when not held up by other trades) to finish your project in a the most timely fashion possible. Typically small jobs take a few days where larger projects may take several weeks or more. Upon acceptance of work, general start and completion dates are discussed.

Q: Will an outdoor lighting installation tear up my yard?
A: No. I do all of my work by hand with the utmost care. I do not use any heavy machinery in my installations. Many of my customers have commented in the past that they never would have known I was there if it wasn’t for the beautiful nighttime lighting effects I left behind.

Q: If I supply the materials will you do the design and installation?
A: I very rarely take on these kinds of projects. Only in the circumstance that you have acceptable quality, working components pre-installed at the site will I consider this kind of job. If this is the case I will redesign and reuse this material and at times possibly supplement existing equipment with new additions. However, I cannot warranty pre-existing equipment. On all new projects I provide specific components chosen for specific purposes. In some cases I custom order and even develop new products to achieve the desired effect. When I work with equipment that I didn’t specify I always feel that my work and the satisfaction of the customer supplying the materials is compromised.

Q: What if I don’t like the looks of the fixtures?
A: I specify fixtures based on their performance in the landscape. These are fixtures designed to be hidden  or concealed so they seamlessly blend with the surrounding environment. I make every effort to camouflage the system’s actual components; therefore, the aesthetic appeal of the individual fixture is of little to no importance. The exception to this is found in traditional pathlighting fixtures. These fixtures do become a presence in the landscape. I always require client approval before installing a particular style pathlight.

Q: It sounds like you specifying a lot of lights. Will my yard be lit up like a ball field?
A: No. Multiple low voltage, low wattage outdoor lighting fixtures are required to achieve desirable effects. All fixtures are very well shielded to conceal the light source from viewers eyes. Extended shrouds inherently cut down on the spread of light making the use of multiple fixtures necessary to achieve desired effects. In addition dark colored greenery and dense plant materials absorb much of the light which results in reduced reflected light or visible light in the landscape. A well designed system has a degree of adjust ability that can be modified to suit the individual owner’s taste. Brightness is a matter of subjectivity. Customer satisfaction is guaranteed. Some clients have a tendency to feel that a newly installed system is a bit bright for their tastes. This is normal because they are usually going from a dark or dimly lit yard to an effectively illuminated one and are experiencing this stark contract for the first time. We have found that 98% of our clients who feel this way after seeing the project for the first time become adjusted to their system within a short two week period and absolutely love it.

Q: I want to light all areas of my outdoor living space. Can you delete some specified components to bring costs in under my budget?
A: We do our best to work within reasonable budget constraints. However under most circumstances, straying from the original design by deleting fixtures or other components will not produce a satisfactory end product. Plus, going back and plugging fixtures in here and there is always more costly than doing things right the first time. Every fixture I specify has a specific purpose in the landscape. They are like pieces of a puzzle. If pieces are left out, the system takes on an incomplete, spotty and undesirable look. Focal points, accented features and transitional or fill lighting are all necessary components needed to create a visually pleasing night scene and add depth and texture to the property. What is recommended rather than eliminating fixtures is to light individual areas of the landscape or zones comprehensively and complete the balance of the project as budget permits.

Do you have a question that was not answered?
Contact Mike Gambino of Gambino Landscape Lighting® here.