Well now, here we have a very good question indeed. Let’s take a look at what we feel constitutes professional landscape lighting.
Everyone knows that there are landscape lighting products available at the home improvement and hardware stores, and I’m betting that we can all agree that those products are not in any way to be confused with professional landscape lighting products, right? That being said, I have seen irrigators, handy men, landscapers and others put that stuff in and call it “professional.” That is just wrong.
The first thing we need to look at is the product used in the project. Professional grade outdoor lighting products are not sold in hardware stores, but instead are sold through distribution points or direct to contractors, depending on the manufacturer. These products are much more robust than the DIY products, using significantly better sockets, connections and metals. There are powder coated aluminum fixtures, brass, bronze, copper and stainless steel products made in the USA and abroad. 
We must also consider the contractor in question.
pro•fes•sion•al (noun): 1. somebody whose occupation requires extensive education or specialized training; 2. a worker in a paid occupation that usually requires a high degree of training and skill; 3. somebody with a high degree of skill or competence
Is the contractor a lighting designer or someone who specializes in another field, but will put in lighting when they can? They could be an irrigation expert who has had specific specialized outdoor lighting training, or maybe even a landscaper who has taken the time and made the effort to learn how light works in a space. I would say that the difference is in the education, training, and experience. Most people can tell the difference between lighting systems designed by lighting designers and those by lighting installers. A professional outdoor lighting system would be designed and installed by an outdoor lighting design company.
The last component would include skill in the service and repair field. Professional outdoor lighting companies will be there to stand behind the work done, whereas those who install lighting as simply an addition to their primary business usually don’t understand enough about lighting products and how they work to troubleshoot and repair the systems. We receive calls quite often from people who tell us that their system never really worked properly, and the original installer would not come fix it.
I believe professional means just that, professional: a well-educated designer who has a proficient, experienced team of technicians to install and maintain that lighting system. We are proud to say that NightScenes is a professional outdoor lighting design/install/maintenance company in each aspect in the field of landscape lighting. Contact us to see the difference for yourself.
Well written Paul, let’s support professionals in our industry as well as those around us! We tend to hire professionals for jobs such as plumbing, interior electrical and mechanics who work on our cars…but not so much when it comes to landscaping and the connected components. I come from the hardscape industry and i was always amazed at the last of professionalism with many jobs. Homeowners assume that the grass guys can install patios, then assume the patio guys can install proper retaining walls…and so on. Maybe they can install, but not often provide good design and solid construction.
There will always be a place for the installers, I deal with a number of great landscape customers who install lights. They install according to industry standards and they install quality fixtures. The next level is the Designer…and I strive to help my installers to become designers!
Thank you Jim, I’m glad that you responded. It’s important for consumers to understand that although some people may be able to install a product, it does not mean that they understand how that product works and where it works best.
Wishing you an illuminating day.
“A professional outdoor lighting system would be designed and installed by an outdoor lighting design company.”
So by your definition, it’s only a professional system if it was installed by a company who only specializes in lighting design and installation?
Thanks for the comment Jim,
As the blog pointed out, there are some landscapers and irrigators, like you, who do in fact seek out further training in lighting design, installation and service. In those all too rare occasions, I would say that those people are also capable of installing a professional system. I would guess that well over 95% of those who install “professional” outdoor lighting have had nothing more than an afternoon seminar by an irrigation supplier on how to install and sell lighting though. While on the other hand, a stand-alone outdoor lighting design/install company is far more likely to have obtained additional training somewhere.
I always suggest that the client check to insure that the company that they are thinking of hiring has adequate training in any situation. Just because a mechanic can work on a person’s car does not qualify them to build their garage. A person probably shouldn’t look to a dermatologist for a planter’s wart although they and the podiatrist are both doctors; the podiatrist is probably more trained in the treatment for that problem.
I hope this helps clarify the meaning of this blog post for you and others who may read it. Once again, thank you very much for your comments. Please feel free to comment on any other posts in this blog. It’s great to be able to have a nice discussion about lighting and maybe you’ll help me find better topics to cover in future blogs. You may even consider guest blogging for me sometime.