As the weather heats up, we Canadians love nothing more than spending time outdoors. Once the sun goes down, we often retreat back inside and wait for it to rise again. But what if there was a way to beautifully light up your outdoor space? That’s where landscape lighting comes in. A landscape lighting professional will be able to create a design to illuminate your home in a way that is inviting and affordable. Read on to learn all about landscape lighting and how it can light up your life.
Expert Opinion is a series where we go straight to the pros for answers. We spoke to Tom Herstad, President of Regal Lighting Designs Inc., to find out the benefits of landscape lighting and how to go about adding it to your home.
What is Landscape Lighting?
Image Courtesy of Regal Lighting Designs
Landscape lighting refers to the installation and design of lighting elements on the exterior of your home. Adding lighting to your landscape will increase curb appeal and improve the security of your home. With many options on the market, a landscape lighting pro can create a custom look for your home to really make it shine.
Benefits of Adding Landscape Lighting
Custom Landscape Lighting Establishes a Mood
We all know the right lighting can set the mood of a room. Outdoor lighting is no different and can have a drastic impact on not only the appearance but the feel of your home. When you have control over your lighting, you have control over what is seen. Tom notes that when you control what people see, you can influence how they feel. For example, by adding narrow beams of light that shine upward into backyard trees, you can create the illusion of height by lighting the top “canopy” of the tree. This opens up your backyard and creates a more relaxed and illuminated feeling.
There’s a real art to creating the right lighting to fit the mood you want to achieve. Keep in mind that less is more when it comes to landscape lighting. Tom explains that if you light everything up, then nothing will stand out. A pro can help you be selective with your lighting design.
Increases Curb Appeal and Enjoyment of Home
Setting the right mood and drawing attention to all the right spots are just a few of the ways landscape lighting increases your curb appeal. Tom says that many of his clients are surprised by how much of a difference adding lighting makes to their home, especially at night. The addition of lighting expands your outdoor space and makes it more inviting, encouraging you to spend time outside. In addition to the pride you will feel looking at your illuminated home, it can also make you feel safer. By adding lights, potential intruders think that they may be seen by a camera or a neighbour.
Cost-Effective Solution
You may be concerned about the cost of adding landscape lighting, especially when it comes to your monthly power bill. What if we told you powering your landscape lighting actually costs less than a cup of coffee? Yes, you read that right. Powering one LED light from dusk to dawn will only cost you about $1. With so many LED lighting options now available, your pro will be able to design something for you that is both cost-effective and beautiful.
Consultation Process
Ready to illuminate your home? Getting started is easy. Once you’ve found a great company on HomeStars, the next step is to send them photos of the exterior of your home from different angles. At Regal Lighting, Tom and his team utilize Google Street View so that they can see your home and provide a consultation over the phone. This is great news for homeowners who still want to complete this project but may not feel comfortable interacting with a pro in person right now.
Costs
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $2,000 to $5,000 for a complete landscape lighting treatment. Your price will depend on a couple of factors including the number, type and style of lights chosen as well as the location. Every job is different and any budget can be accommodated.
Keep in mind the cost of keeping your lighting on costs less than a cup of coffee each month. By making this initial investment you’ll have a beautifully illuminated home that will be the talk of your neighbourhood.
Day of Installation
On installation day, there are a couple of things you can do to make the process easier. Mainly, tidying up your garage and moving your cars away from the property. The team will likely be using ladders to install your lights, so making sure they can move around freely is important. Landscape lighting requires a centrally located transformer and timer. These are best located in the garage. Making sure your garage is tidy and has a spot ready for these items will make everyone’s job easier.
Hiring Tips
When it comes to hiring a company for your project, Tom has a couple of recommendations. First, check that the company is on HomeStars. This takes the guesswork out of finding a credible company with integrity. You can easily request a quote on HomeStars to get in touch with pros in your area.
Once you’ve found a couple of companies you would consider working with, ask them key questions. Find out how long they’ve been in business, as this will speak to their experience. Ask to see photos of multiple projects they’ve completed. Do they all look the same or do they offer custom designs for every home?
Pay attention to how the company talks about their work, are they excited? This is a sign of a company that’s truly passionate about what they do. If the company is late to your meeting and doesn’t sound excited, you should look elsewhere. Last but definitely not least, never go with a company that asks for a deposit that is more than 50% of the total cost.
As we all spend more time at home, why not make it the best home possible? Extend your outdoor living space and the amount of time you can use it by adding lighting. From a simple backyard design with a few lights to a complete show-stopping spectacle, there’s no limit of what can be done with your lighting. Connect with a landscape lighting company in your area to help light up your life and enjoy your outdoor spaces even more this summer.
Regal Lighting Designs is a family-run business that has been providing leading-edge LED lighting solutions for over 11 years. They specialize in landscape lighting designs that will enhance and extend your living space. Through their custom work and creativity, they are able to transform homes to be more beautiful, valuable and environmentally-friendly. Check out their website or HomeStars profile to see examples of their work. Regal Lighting Designs – “Where Light Meets Life.”
