How many out there perform only landscape lighting? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

avalon · 03-23-2006, 01:36 AM

I am new to this site and am very involved with landscape lighting, in fact this is all I do. I am curious as to how many others there are like me in this specialty trade. Another question I have is what type of license do you currently work under? Is it a landscape contractors license or another?

As with Paul G., I am more than willing to entertain questions related to this trade, as my background has been involved with landscape design & installation, to include landscape lighting design for approximately 14 years.

I appreciate any feedback you might have--thanks!

NightScenes · 03-23-2006, 08:11 AM

Hello Marc, I also am strictly a landscape lighting contractor. In Texas there are no licenses required for anything under 24 volts and you can operate a business under a DBA.

I am also interested in seeing how many others out there are in this field and am very willing to answer any questions. I know that this is a brand new part of this forum so it might take a little while to catch on. Let's roll with it!!

**Nathan** · 03-23-2006, 08:15 AM

Welcome to the site Avalon.

I think we will get more interest soon, as Paul said this is a brand new forum for this site. I'm sure more of you guys will follow soon.

We also may be adding more sub forums throughout the site soon. That will make it easier for you specialized guys to find each other. Water Features, hardscapes, etc...

NightScenes · 03-23-2006, 09:25 AM

Thank you Nathan, this is going to be great!!

Chris J · 03-27-2006, 07:50 PM

Hello everyone. Just wanted you to know I have signed on as well. Some of the Lighting guys already know me, but for those of you who don't:
I am strictly outdoor lighting design/build. I've been in business for about 7 years in the North Florida area, and I will be more than happy to help out in any way that I can. I am already impressed with the format and implementation of this web site, and I am very much looking forward to being involved with it.
With that said, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your wonderful forum. I look forward to many new friendships and educational opportunities.

Chris J

NightScenes · 03-27-2006, 08:44 PM

Good to see ya Chris!! I'm sure more people will get involved on this site soon.

**Nathan** · 03-27-2006, 08:58 PM

Great to have you here Chris... welcome!

patferris · 04-29-2006, 03:31 PM

Hello all,
I am new to this this fourm, and I also only install low voltage landscape lighting. I am here to learn more about the industry and see what others are doing all over the United States. Anybody from Philadelphia?

NightScenes · 04-30-2006, 01:09 PM

Hello and welcome Pat. Good to see you.

avalon · 05-09-2006, 11:56 PM

Hi Pat, welcome and feel free to pick our brains. I've been doing L.V. lighting only for 7-years now and it's been great. How long have you been doing it?

NightScenes · 06-04-2006, 01:18 PM

I'm wondering how many landscapers and irrigators are designing and installing lighting.

PLC-Landscape · 06-10-2006, 09:06 PM

I currently do EVERYTHING lawn and landscape related, both maintenance and construction, but am considering more of a specialized field such as lighting and/or plantings only. My main concern is finding the work to stay busy if I'm not full service - the quality of work is not a problem. - If I may ask, how do the guys that concentrate primarily on lighting charge for services/projects? - How much $$$ on average can/should someone expect to bill out per job? - Most of the landscape contractors around here (New Jersey) seem to be full service, but I like the idea of being a little more specialized, provided I can get enough work - - which brings me to another question...What have you found to be the best form of advertising? - - - Thanks!

NightScenes · 06-13-2006, 08:38 PM

I really hate to talk money in a public forum so please feel free to email me or pm me or even give me a call. I will give my # to you be email or pm.

I began doing lighting as an electrician and built it up to the point that it now stands on it's own. If you are now a landscaper, you have the perfect "in" for this industry. You can start by working it into your projects and build it over a few years. It took me about two years to transform my business, but that was by really deciding to turn my company in a new direction and pursuing this new line of work.

Whatever you do, please make sure that if your going to do this, you take the time to learn how to do it right. From the outside this may look like an easy thing to do and if you listen to a lot of distributors and manufacturers they make it sound like it's a gold mine and there's nothing to it. This is where you need to do some homework. If you want to make a serious living at this you must learn about things like ohms law and voltage drop. You need to know about multi tap transformers and lamps. Learn about design techniques and filters.

You might contact the LVLIA. They are a non profit org that is made of contractors and manufacturers that are trying to promote professionalism in the industry.

I hope this has answered some of your questions. Please ask away and I hope that between me and some of the others here, we can help.

stampcrete · 03-06-2007, 01:21 PM

Hi, Im new to this sight also. I figured I would put my 2 cents in. This pertains at least in CT. I was recently at a landscapers show in Hartford and I came across a posting at a booth from the Dept of Consumer Protection. They told me and they had it posted that any landscaper or any business that does not have a master electrician license cannot install LOW VOLTAGE LIGHTING!! and they will be enforcing it .I almost s!!!. Most systems are ul listed and only require you to plug in the transformer. They told me a homeowner can install but not a contractor. I figured i would give the CT guys a heads up. -Kirk

POOLMANinCT · 03-06-2007, 03:06 PM

where in CT stamp?
that has been in the works for a while now...

did you display at the show... pix of our display are in the poolforum

NightScenes · 03-06-2007, 06:11 PM

The AOLP (Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals. formerly the LVLIA), www.aolponline.org has been trying to help out the contractors with this issue in the northeast for quite a while, as it seems to be spreading like wildfire. It's now in Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maine and Connecticut. Unfortunately, we don't have enough members for the states to take us or our certification seriously. We need everyone who installs low voltage landscape lighting to join this organization so we can make some kind of impact or a lot of landscapers, irrigation companies and lighting companies are going to end up in bad shape. It's only a matter of time before it travels to NY, PA, MD, and elsewhere.

Good luck guys,

stampcrete · 03-06-2007, 07:02 PM

poolman I didnt have a booth at the show . I was just visiting. I didnt realize that about the license as Ive done a bunch of installs including lighting. Im in wallingford. How about you. Talk to you soon.

PLC-Landscape · 03-13-2007, 02:02 PM

I also heard about the low voltage install problems for landscapers. It's because the electricians don't want to lose money to any other trade. They make the testing so hard that it's getting ridiculously hard to pass, so to leave that much more for the greedy. It has nothing to do with safety or anything like that - it's all about money......a bunch of B.S. Like I said in an earlier post, I'm thinking about losing the full service landscape and focus on lighting, but I still have to do research on what's involved in doing it "legally" with permits, certifications, etc.....In other words, how much do I have to pay.....lol - - I'll post my findings. -

NightScenes · 03-13-2007, 02:35 PM

Well, have any of you checked into the AOLP yet?

JC Lighting · 03-14-2007, 11:07 AM

I've been specializing in Low Voltage Landscape Lighting 100% for over 4 years in California and Oregon. In CA you need one of three types of license. C10 is electrian, C7 is low voltage only includes home theater, cable tv, etc. or C27 landscape. In OR is was a bit unclear but for sure you could install LVLL with an electrcian license or a landscape license. I had a speciality limited license there and it was never an issue.

Paul, I began completing the AOLP membership application when I saw that I have to include a signed Code of Ethics. I've called and left a message twice in the past 2 weeks at AOLP without receiving a return call?? In my message I asked about the documentation of the "Standards for the Installation of Low Voltage Landscape and Architectural Lighting" mentioned in the Code of Ethics. (I don't feel comfortable signing off on the Code of Ethics if I don't know what I'm agreeing to.) Any advise on this?

Jim C.