Written by: Bryan Anderson
8 min read
Exceptional outdoor lighting can elevate a landscape to new heights, both in appearance and functionality. Just like plant selection, water features, and other features, proper landscape lighting requires thoughtful design, intentionality, and professional installation to truly shine.
For discerning homeowners in the Capital Region, working with a professional landscape lighting designer for outdoor lighting services can make a massive difference in both concept and outcome. The key is finding the right Saratoga Springs landscape lighting contractor for your unique property and preferences.
If you want to confidently evaluate and choose an outdoor lighting contractor in Upstate New York, the following guide will help you ask the right questions, discern between one professional and another, and ultimately opt for the best option for your needs.
Jump to:
How to Choose the Right Landscape Lighting Designer
6 Questions to Ask an Outdoor Lighting Contractor
Outdoor Lighting Services FAQs
Working with Gallivan for Lighting Design and Installation
How to Choose the Right Landscape Lighting Designer
From aesthetic appeal to functionality to safety and security, outdoor lighting plays a major role in maximizing the potential of your Capital Region property. It can highlight the most alluring features of your landscape, allow your memorable evenings to push past sundown, and reduce the possibility of accidents and trespassers.
Like nearly everything regarding your landscape (and life), my fellow designer Richard Disharoon explains that, for landscape lighting services, “hiring someone to design a complete system for you will turn out much nicer than someone simply throwing in some lighting as an afterthought.”
In other words, it’s important to start by working with a landscape lighting designer before you jump into outdoor lighting installation. Thoughtful, intentional design that works with your landscape and fits your goals establishes the foundation for successful installation and long-term use. Without it, you’re taking a shot in the dark.
6 Questions to Ask an Outdoor Lighting Contractor
There are many people and landscaping companies that will do outdoor lighting installation, but that does not mean that all of them provide the same services, quality, or support. Asking pertinent questions of every outdoor lighting contractor you are considering is an essential step in choosing the right professional for your needs.
Are You a Professional Landscape Lighting Designer or Strictly an Installer?
There is often overlap between those who install landscape lighting and those who also offer landscape lighting design services. However, the two are not one in the same, and the distinction can be the difference between a comprehensive, complementary landscape lighting and very basic lighting that may not achieve all that it should.
Landscape lighting designers consider all facets of your property and your goals, then use their expertise and training to develop a cohesive design strategy that complements your landscape, highlights the appropriate features, considers safety and security, and otherwise takes a thoughtful, in-depth approach to creating a truly harmonious lighting system.
Outdoor lighting installation is what should follow the design process. Here, you are looking for quality craftsmanship, lasting fixtures and materials, and an installation that will endure for years to come. Landscape lighting installation is an essential part of outdoor lighting services, but it should be part of the process, not an isolated job that takes place without a plan.
To ensure that your outdoor lighting contractor excels in both strategy and execution, be sure to ask them for a portfolio of their work.
What Types of Fixtures and Materials Do You Use?
The design of your landscape lighting is the foundation on which the entire system is built, but that plan is only as solid as the installation itself. The quality of installation is extremely important, and an essential part of that process is the fixtures and materials that are used. Even the best work can fall short if the lighting products that are being used are substandard. 
For example, Gallivan uses high-end, premium fixtures and materials that look fantastic, endure the elements, and will persevere for years to come. My colleague Richard describes them as “made of solid brass with powder coating that will last for generations, as opposed to plastic painted fixtures, which crack and fade over time.”
Brands and materials matter, which is why Gallivan embraces quality names like Unique Lighting or Alliance Outdoor Lighting.
How Do You Plan for Wiring and System Longevity?
Any time you are dealing with exterior elements that are exposed to the weather, planning for longevity is paramount. Landscape lighting installations are no exception, as moisture, fluctuating temperatures, wildlife, and a host of other challenges can cause your lighting system to deteriorate and experience problems. If you spot wiring that has been run above ground rather than in a trench, it should be an immediate red flag.
As such, your Saratoga Springs landscape lighting contractor should have a standard in place to improve the durability and longevity of the lighting system and all of its components. As Richard notes, Gallivan focuses on “using high-quality exterior wiring and waterproof connectors” to “ensure a seamless working system.”
Do You Provide a Lighting Plan?
Whether it is being designed at the same time as the landscape itself or being integrated into a preexisting landscape, a comprehensive lighting strategy should display a high degree of thoughtfulness and intentionality. Evidence of this thorough approach should include a lighting plan.
You can think of a lighting plan as a blueprint or schematic for your lighting system. It should outline the entire system, including where each light is, what type of light it is, orientation, and which zone it is connected to. This makes maintenance and repairs, as well as additions, much easier. If an outdoor lighting contractor does not include a lighting plan as part of their design and installation process, you should consider it a non-starter.
What Maintenance or Warranty Support is Included?
While outdoor lighting is unlikely to require the same level of care and maintenance as other elements of your landscaping, particularly your plants, the peace of mind that accompanies a maintenance guarantee or warranty cannot be overstated. From faulty bulbs to more serious lighting system concerns, post-installation support can be the difference between a positive experience and one that quickly turns sour.
Many premium lighting brands provide robust product warranties. Asking your outdoor lighting contractor about their maintenance plans and warranty support is not only a legitimate line of questioning, but one that should be absolutely critical to your decision-making process.
Do You Offer Other Services Aside from Lighting Installation?
It is not strictly necessary, but many of the best landscape lighting installations are integrated within a broader design plan. As Richard puts it, “typically, lighting is packaged along with a full landscape design.”
This ensures that all the elements of your landscape work together, complement each other, and maximize the overall potential of your property. It is not a dealbreaker if your contractor does not offer other services, but it is a consideration that may influence your decision.
Outdoor Lighting Services FAQs
How much do landscape lighting installations cost in the Capital Region?
There are many factors that can influence the price of a landscape lighting installation, including the size of your property, the complexity of the lighting system, and the quality/type of the fixtures you select.
A local professional lighting contractor can give you an accurate estimate after evaluating your property and listening to your goals. With that in mind, you should expect to spend at least $2,000, with some difficult or extensive projects eclipsing $15,000.
How long does outdoor lighting installation take?
Some small jobs may only require a few hours to complete, but a full-scale installation that is meant to integrate into a complete landscape project can take over a week. Factors like the terrain, preexisting landscaping, and system complexity can affect the overall timeline, so be sure to ask your outdoor lighting contractor for an estimation after the details of your project are confirmed.
Is there a difference between landscape lighting and outdoor lighting?
These terms are often used interchangeably, and there is some overlap between the two, but they are distinct areas of expertise.
Landscape lighting refers specifically to aesthetic lighting that emphasizes certain elements, highlights paths, and contributes to the ambiance of your property. Outdoor lighting is a more general term that includes things like functional and safety lighting.
Don’t worry about being precise with your language when initially consulting an expert, however. If you are thorough and descriptive, they will understand the project and work with you to ensure that your lighting is perfect, no matter what you call it.
Do I need a permit in order to install landscape lights?
The answer to this question is entirely dependent on your exact location and the details of your project. Lower voltage lights almost never require a permit, especially if they are plug-in lights. The more voltage, the more likely it is that you will need a permit. Furthermore, work that includes digging trenches, installing new circuits, or otherwise performing extensive electrical work may require approval and a permit.
Working with Gallivan for Lighting Design and Installation
Outdoor lighting design and installation projects do not need to be intimidating. When you work with an experienced local professional, you can be confident that your property is in good hands and the finished product will be visually stunning, functionally flawless, and of high quality.
To learn more about landscape lighting services in the Capital Region and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Clifton Park, be sure to reach out to Gallivan. As Richard sums up so perfectly, our process is designed to be approachable, professional, and comprehensive.
“Everything starts with a phone call. We will talk through exactly what you are looking for. From there, we walk the site and come up with a plan that highlights your beautiful architecture, pathways, and outdoor spaces.”
With over 30 years of experience in the Capital Region, you can rest assured that your home is in good hands, both during the design phase and long after the installation is complete. Fill out our consultation form today to get started.
