06 Apr What is more important Price or Quality on your landscape Lighting project?
By Mike Gambino
Quite often as a landscape lighting design build specialist I am confronted during a conversation, when meeting a prospect, they state they are “looking for the best deal” but the real question is are they comparing apples to apples?
On a few occasions, we have encountered during a consultation appointment, multiple contractors viewing the property at one time to present or prepare a proposal to present at another time.
Who Wins?
Nobody Wins…
Often the best price wins the job. meaning the lowest price is the determining factor of who gets awarded the project.
Secondary or not even considered is the discussion of quality, craftsmanship and experience.
Quality is described in different ways by almost everyone. In the landscape lighting realm we consider fixtures built like virtual tanks to hold up to the rigors of mother nature and gardeners, flawless design with just enough light to create fabulous stunning effects throughout the property as well as many other items that are more important than saving a few dollars.
Craftsmanship is a deep love for the origins and processes of the profession and of the art of landscape lighting. Few artisans of the landscape lighting world are still around and practicing. With new methods, LED’s and lower standards for entry into the business the craftsman have become fewer and far inbetween.
Experience in the landscape lighting industry is often overlooked as the “sideliner” or new landscape lighter or occasional one is often the lowest price as they are just trying to get by and possibly do not know or realize the cost of maintaining the business for the long haul. Since the occasional sideliner doesn’t perform landscape lighting design build services as their primary business they may not care much about making enough profit to sustain and stand behind their work as they might be using the landscape lighting portion of their bid as a loss leader to gain favor with the prospect to sign the more profitable primary subject of their work. The lower priced “new” or sideline landscape lighter possibly will not be concerned about or offer ongoing care of your system to keeping it looking its best. And as history tells us most new businesses do not last more than three (3) years. If this is the case who are you going to call next year if there is an issue with today’s low priced project?
As they say “Quality, Quantity or Price” pick two because you cannot have all three.
We ask our clients one simple question “What does an Exceptional landscape lighting experience look to you?” This allows the customer to step back and think of the important factors in their next project.
SOME OF THE ANSWERS WE HAVE RECEIVED FOR OUR QUESTION OF ”WHAT DOES AN EXCEPTIONAL landscape lighting EXPERIENCE LOOK like TO YOU?” ARE:
- Beautiful lighting that provides a feeling of safety and security around the residence and property
- Reliability of company and installed system
- Showcases our property and gives it identity in the neighborhood
- Landscaping restored to its original condition shortly after the installation
- Makes it easier for emergency services and the pizza delivery guy to find our home after dark
- Perfection and craftsmen who care working
As you can see by the list an exceptional experience for a client has very little to do with the price of the project when they are comparing apples to apples.
On your project ask yourself what are you looking for and “What does an Exceptional landscape lighting experience look to you?
If you are looking for an exceptionally crafted Low Voltage High Performance LED landscape lighting project designed and built to last please contact mike@gambinolighting.com so we can discuss it.
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 28 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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