Critique First Job

[ChestnutOaks]

First job I ever did about 4 months ago, just thought I would get a critique from you guys. Got a few jobs lined up for the next couple of months.

Sorry for the poor picture quality. couldnt keep a steady hand.

[nlminc]

Looks good! It's tuff taking night shots. Try when the sun is just setting. What brand lights did you use?

[Jason Rose]

Looks good, pretty 'classy'

Looks like you could maybe do a little more fine tuning on the aiming on a couple of those lights...

Either way, lighting like that can really make a home stand out! I have cheapo lights on my house, not a big or fancy home, but it sure makes it look nice at night! Plus it's a little more deterrant for fools sneaking around in the dark!

[Gilla Gorilla]

I think everything looks good except for the front door. It seems alittle dark to me but that might be what the customer wanted all along, to keep the light off of it.

I have a customer now that just wants the foundation lite up but no path lights along the 60' plus long walkway. She is affraid the dogs will get the leashes wraped around them and pull them up.

How much did you charge for that job and what lights did you use? If you dont mind sharing.

[Frog Lights, LLC]

I like the up light treatment on the house. Without knowing the budget it is hard to suggest more lights. I like to see some spreader type lights focusing into the beds. Of course if money permits more up lights on special specimen objects or plants. Further, I like to see different style path lights the pagota type are "tired." Frog Lights has two sizes of spreader lights all aluminum wholesale price $29 , spot lights $25 , copper or brass path lights $40. Less 20 % and free shipping for Lawnsite members.
I think it is great that you did this install. You will get better with each one that you do. The work is easy fast and very profitable. Our staff would be please to assist with any suggestions or help should you need it. This offer is extended even if you do not purchase Frog Lights, LLC merchandise.
Good job!

[ChestnutOaks]

I used Vista Lighting and a Vista Transformer. We also put in 7 or 8 (cant remember) pathway lights in the back around the pool area. Total cost I think was like $2800. I think we had like 21 total lights or so, figured somewhere around 110/light and $500 for transformer and wire.

Brian

[ChestnutOaks]

Also, the homeowners have lights on either side of the door, so they said they would turn those on rather than lighting it up some more.

[R & R Yard Designs]

Nice job but, Next time try a fillter on the lights (a peach to bring out the earth tone, A blue for the greens and blues.) its makes the plants and house pop more. and do a diffuser fillter on the walls to get rid of the sharp lines.

[sheshovel]

I think that uplighting should uplight plantings and trees not houses.Unless it is the front entry or walkways.Your work looks fine though.Just not my to my personal ideal of what landscape lighting is ment for.

[Dreams To Designs]

Try a tripod for the camera or rest it on the hood of the truck for those night shots.

If this is what the client wanted, it looks perfect. I would have liked to see the light more even, rather than the bright and dark areas. Lower wattage lamps with a wider beam spread would have eliminated some of the harsh lines. Again, if this is what the client wanted, good job. Good lighting is meant to compliment the project, not overtake it. It seems to be a recent trend for clients to want to light up the front facade of their home and create a storefront look. As Sheshovel said, I prefer to light plants and highlights, rather than the whole home, but I do what the client wants. Rather than tier path lights, you may have been able to use area lights and light parts of the garden and path, but also used less lights to do the same look.

What type of fixtures did you use for the up-lighting? Are they well lights or bullets, and how about wattages? Vista does an excellent system for lighting, but there are many other brands out there for variety and unique fixtures.

Kirk