Deck Lighting

NightScenes

Does anybody here use lighting on their decks? I design and install landscape and deck lighting. I think it would be a great service that I could offer to deck contractors.

Teetorbilt

Tread easy if you are selling a product.

I have subs that do this.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

NightScenes

I am not selling a product. As I said, I am a landscape lighting designer/installer who also lights decks. I guess, since you said that you sub this out, that this is a service you like?

NightScenes

Here is one of my deck lighting projects.

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Paul R Gosselin, CLVLT 0632
NightScenes Corporation www.night-scenes.com
President, AOLP
www.facebook.com/NightScenes

mdshunk

It could be a good service you could offer, but you'd need to post in the 'work wanted' section of the held wanted area. Trawling for work in a regular forum area is generally a sleezy thing to do. I'll use my psychic powers and say ahead of time that you'll reply that you're shocked and surprised. Yeah, I'm sure that you "just wanted to start some discussion". We've been down this road enough to know that you secretly hoped you'd get some propsed deck designs from some contractors on this board for which you could design a lighting layout for a make a few sheckels. Nice try.

Think of it in terms of a door to door tool salesman trudging into a working man's bar at the end of the day to show off a new nail gun to the guy's at the bar "just to get their opinion". They (we) really don't want to be bothered that way.

If you would have posted "Hey, look how cool this lighting makes the deck look at night! Any of you guys do this too?", that would have been a little easier to stomach.

NightScenes

Mdshunk, you must think you are the amazing Kreskin or something!! I would bet there there MIGHT be one member of this forum that is actually in my service area, which is 65 miles from Austin, Tx. Pretty much in the middle of nowhere.

What I am doing is trying to find out of I should even bother to spend the money to pursue this.

I, of course thought I was talking to professional deck contractors and not electricians. I have been an electricain for 15 years and know how arrogant and psychic they think they might be!!

__________________
Paul R Gosselin, CLVLT 0632
NightScenes Corporation www.night-scenes.com
President, AOLP
www.facebook.com/NightScenes

DecksEtc

No need to panic Paul. Teetor and md are just giving you some friendly and polite advice. Those of us that have been in this forum awhile have seen many people come and start off by trying to soft sell their products/services. Those people eventually leave as that approach doesn't fly here.

As far as lighting systems go, I have installed them on a few decks (my own, for one) and people usually have me do it as part of the deck as running the wiring, etc. is easier while the deck is under construction - something I sell as an add-on. I have never dealt with a seperate lighting contractor nor have I seen any in my area. Now, you and I aren't even remotely close in areas so I can't speak to the market place you are in. If someone were to approach me and propose a partnership, I would definately consider it.

NightScenes

Thanks for the advice, Terry. I didn't think I was doing anything improper. I am a frequent poster on lawnsite.com and found the link here. I didn't mean to step on any toes.

__________________
Paul R Gosselin, CLVLT 0632
NightScenes Corporation www.night-scenes.com
President, AOLP
www.facebook.com/NightScenes

DecksEtc

I think we all realize that now Paul. It's just that your first post in this thread was worded a lot like others that have come trying to peddle their wares.

No harm. no foul.

NightScenes

It's all good, Terry. Thanks again.

__________________
Paul R Gosselin, CLVLT 0632
NightScenes Corporation www.night-scenes.com
President, AOLP
www.facebook.com/NightScenes

deckdesigns

Paul,
There is/was a company offering that service here at one time. The problem that I had was there was not enough money for both of us to make a profit. But, I have been installing lighting systems for over 10 years and didn't really need his service. If you can find some builders in your area that are not offering lighting now it would be a great sales tool for you and them.

What this company here would do is go out to the customers house durning the day and set up a sample light project on the deck and in the landscaping. Then would stop by in the evening and turn it on for the home owner to see. It was a great way for the home owner to get an idea of what was possible and helped sell the lighting project.

But, I think you are on the right track for a way to find home owners who are updating their outdoor space. Just open up the phone book and call some of your local deck builders and possibly small/new landscapers.

NightScenes

Thank you for your advice. I will definately try to work in your suggestions.

__________________
Paul R Gosselin, CLVLT 0632
NightScenes Corporation www.night-scenes.com
President, AOLP
www.facebook.com/NightScenes

747

a couple of weeks ago i seen the coolest deck lightening i have ever seen. It was a home improvement show out of england. So i don't know if it would be here in the U.S. I will describe. They built a wood deck. Then they took these round lights in between the size of a quarter and half dollar and they randomly placed them in the wood deck. They were mounted flush with the wood so you could actually walk on them. When they lit it up at night it looked awesome. A wood deck with random lights in it spread out that you could walk on and not mess them up. It looked awesome.

747

Take a look at that deck pic above. Now picture abounch of little rounds lights placed in the wood spread out over the whole walking part of the deck.

Teetorbilt

747, years ago I saw a carpet in a yacht that had interwoven fiber optics. The carpet glowed!

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

NightScenes

Fiber optics is something I am now using. It's a whole new animal. Works great for pools and spas.

I think I know about the lights that you are talking about, 747. They are counter sunk into the wood.

__________________
Paul R Gosselin, CLVLT 0632
NightScenes Corporation www.night-scenes.com
President, AOLP
www.facebook.com/NightScenes

747

exactly they were counter sunk in the wood. I was thinking wouldn't it be cool if you were building a new house and you mounted those lights on both sides of your driveway before the concrete was poured so when it was done they would be recessed in the concrete. They you could hook those up to a dusk sensor so at night they would auto come on and it would look like you had your own little runway for you car.

NightScenes

You might end up with a cesna in your living room though. LOL

__________________
Paul R Gosselin, CLVLT 0632
NightScenes Corporation www.night-scenes.com
President, AOLP
www.facebook.com/NightScenes

Chris J

You guys are intense. I just became a member of this forum, and after reading this post I feel like I need to hide in the corner. Jeez! I like how the string went from insulting to infuriating to "every body's friends".
By the way, I am also a lighting contractor. Actually the best in the business. Anybody want to partner up? I can make you rich! Yeah, I'm actually the one you have to look out for I know Paul, and he's just trying to gain all the knowledge about everything he can. I actually took great offense to the verbal attack on him. But now that you guys are over it, I guess I can relax. Thanks for the great read. I haven't received that much of a thrill since I don't know when!
PS Let me know if you need one of your decks illuminated.... I've just created a new line of solid brass, flush mount, blah, blah, blah, blah......

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Chris J, CLO (Chief Luminary Officer)
Member AOLP, CLVLT #0638
FL Lic#ES12000428, GA Lic#LVG105244
www.JohnsonLightingInc.com