You have a to-do list for you home that is a mile long, a dozen projects you could choose to do. If landscape lighting is one of them you may be trying to do a cost-benefit analysis. But that can be difficult to do if you have never had one. I design and install landscape lighting and have a system myself. Here is what I suggest you consider before moving forward with a new landscape lighting system.
Reasons to get a low voltage lighting system:
First and foremost, landscape lighting is attractive. It will make your home and garden look beautiful.
And perhaps just as important, low voltage lighting gives you more hours each day to enjoy your landscape. Here in Portland winter nights start around 5pm, so that is a lot of additional hours a year!
Landscape lighting may also increase the safety of your home by eliminating dark corners and emphasizing that this is a property where someone is paying attention. And illuminating paths and steps can lower the risk of a trip and fall accidents.
All the landscape lighting fixtures we install come with LED bulbs, meaning they are extremely energy efficient. The bulbs are also long lasting at 50K hours. Some of the fixtures we install utilize recycled materials and/or are primarily domestic products.
Ok, those are some great reasons to get low voltage landscape lighting at your Portland home. But what are the costs?
The downside of landscape lighting:
One of Ross NW Watergardens landscape lighting systems.
More on Portland’s premier landscape lighting company here.
Want to DIY your landscape lighting system? Here are some places to but quality fixtures.
Some of our favorite LED landscape spot lights and path lights are here.
The main issue with landscape lighting is cost. A well designed and installed system, using high quality fixtures, will cost you $350 - $550 (or even more if you choose really high-end fixtures) per fixture for a 10 fixture system. That price includes all the materials and installation, but it is certainly an investment.
Like everything else on your property, there can be maintenance and repairs needed. Lights get knocked over, glass in the fixtures can get cloudy or dirty, and occasionally things break. We have very few callbacks on our low voltage landscape, but they are not completely care free.
Light pollution can impact birds. Especially if you have a large property with mature trees that house birds we need to take this into consideration. Here are some good pointers.
The verdict: landscaping is awesome, but it is an investment. My suggestion: hire a landscape lighting designer and installer to maximize your investment. Contact us today to set up your consultation!