LIGHTING Y
ou’re heading to the first meeting of a new in- stallation. As the landscape lighting contractor, you’ll be joining the landscape contractor or designer, the irrigation contractor or designer, the hardscape contractor, and maybe even ad-
ditional contractors. Together, you’ll create the landscape of your client’s dreams. But achieving that dream land- scape can be smooth sailing, or it can be a rough road filled with miscommunication and pitfalls. Tese tips from landscape lighting professionals will help you avoid the bumps and establish yourself as a true industry pro.
COMMUNICATION IS KING
One way or another, everyone involved in a new installa- tion will figure out a way to get it done, no matter what, says Dave Underwood, CIC, CID, CLIA, president of Chesapeake Irrigation & Lighting in Millersville, Maryland. But that doesn’t mean the process will be stress-free. Every project is dif-
ferent, depending on the size and complexity of the project, the general con- tractor, the client and the other players involved, he says. Effective commu- nication from the early planning stages of the project is the only way to guarantee that everyone is on the same page. “Having good coor-
dination from the top, whether it is the land- scape architect, the home builder, the homeowner or someone else who is running the project, is im- portant,” says Matt Car- li, lead designer for Moonlighting Landscape Lighting Systems in Charleston, South Carolina. “Several months before the contractors come in, we have a preconstruction meeting, where we review everyone’s plans and identify any potential hurdles we could have in terms of lighting.” While some business tasks are easily accomplished
In the early planning stages, conversations with the
hardscape contractor, the irrigation contractor, the tree planter or arborist, and the person pulling electrical per- mits will be especially important. Ideally, during these con- versations, potential conflicts or oversights can be caught early and remedied with some planning adjustments. “We have to create an infrastructure for lighting un-
der the concrete, patio or pavers prior to installation be- cause once they pour concrete, you’re done, and you can’t go back and lay conduit,” says Nels Peterson, owner of Nordic Landscape Lighting in Minneapolis. “But, the important thing is staying out of each other’s way, because you don’t want to show up with six guys and a truck full of lighting fixtures and wire on the day they’re planting trees or leveling the land.” While careful coordination will ensure that each trade is able to complete their portion of the work at the appropriate time, it also opens up the possibility of saving both time and money. “Te irrigation con- tractor usually goes
in
Careful coordination during the early planning stages of an installation between the irrigation contractor, hardscape contractor, tree planter or ar- borist and the person pulling electrical permits can not only allow for the project to be completed in an appropriate amount of time, but it can also save time and money. Photos: Moonlighting Landscape Lighting Systems
and trenches all over the property, so the installa- tion of landscape lighting is difficult without coordi- nating,” Peterson says. “I’ll often ask if we can work at the same time if they’re doing open trenching, so we can lay our cable in- stead of having to tear up the yard twice. Tat saves the customer money and us time and effort.”
GIVE AND TAKE
As with any relationship, building a strong working
relationship with other contractors requires some give and take, and being willing to offer assistance where possible is a good way to build trust. “Lighting is typically the last part of the project and a
through email or telephone calls, in-person communica- tion where all the various trades are represented is espe- cially helpful in the planning stages of a new installation. “Because all our trades are hands on, when you’re on-
site and can visibly walk around and talk about what will be impacted by various trades, you can really dig down into the details,” Underwood says. “We go in with a pos- itive mindset and try to remind everyone that we are on the same team. It’s not a competition, and the more we help each other and coordinate, the smoother the project will go, which benefits everyone.”
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lot of the work is done at that point,” Carli says. “Typical- ly landscape and hardscape contractors supply their own conduit, but a lot of times we will drop off the conduit or work alongside them. We try to let them know that we aren’t necessarily expecting them to do all the work.” Offering assistance in the form of labor or materials is
also a great way to ensure that your lighting installations needs are being fulfilled. “Te electrician might need a conduit installed, and
electricians don’t usually have trenchers, and you might need a couple outlets installed,” Underwood says. “I’ll tell the electrician that I’d be happy to provide you a conduit, and don’t forget that I need an outlet over here, and he’s
Summer 2022 Irrigation & Lighting 25
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