[vtruong]

Been in the market for landscape lighting and thinking about going with this quote:

Scope: Your outdoor lighting system will contain:

9 Accents lights for front house. Unique Intrepid $1,340.00

3 Par 36 Accent for big trees in back. Unique Bishop $465.00

4 Path Lights for back. Unique Lancer 6” $620.00

5 Deck lights. Unique Gemini $775.00

4 Deck Step Lights. Unique Viking $620.00

1Transformer Unique 840Watt Multi-tap $ 720.00

5 hub systems will be installed.

Total $4,545.00

Looking for any input, thanks!

 

[emby]

deleted for obvious reasons

 

[vtruong]

I saw that sticky but didnt think it applied since these arent wholesale prices. This is an actualy quote I received from a contractor. But either way, thanks for the heads up.

 

[emby]

Sorry about that misread your first post.
I would encourage you to seek out at least three quotes for your landscape lighting project.
There are a few well written arcticles about hiring a low voltage landscape lighting designer/contractor on the web and I advise you to find them and read them.
Look for well written proposal packages that will describe what they will be designing and achieving, proof of insurance and certificates, and warrenty and maintenance.
Hope this helps you out a bit.

Ken

 

[S&MLL]

Been in the market for landscape lighting and thinking about going with this quote:

Scope: Your outdoor lighting system will contain:

9 Accents lights for front house. Unique Intrepid $1,340.00

3 Par 36 Accent for big trees in back. Unique Bishop $465.00

4 Path Lights for back. Unique Lancer 6” $620.00

5 Deck lights. Unique Gemini $775.00

4 Deck Step Lights. Unique Viking $620.00

1Transformer Unique 840Watt Multi-tap $ 720.00

5 hub systems will be installed.

Total $4,545.00

Looking for any input, thanks!

Does this contractor include labor in fixture prixe? how about wire? What is turning this thing on/off? Some key items missing from the estimate.... But if that system is that price installed I would say go with it. Aslong as the guy knows what hes doing. 181 a fixture for lifetime warr. Seems cheap to me :hammerhead:

 

[vtruong]

Thanks for the replies...yes each price includes labor/installation. This does include a timer with the transformer as well....basically everything needed included in price. He will even fix my irrigation if he happens to hit it.

 

[The Lighting Geek]

I would almost say it is too low. But if they can make a buck a that price, more power to them. You should get at least 3 bids total and check for proper insurance and licensing for your area.

 

[sal rodriguez]

It is impossible to give a definitive answer to your question because there are so many variables. You are not buying a commodity so comparison between quotes is impossible. No two designers/installers will ever turn out the same work.

You can answer some of these questions and probably arrive at your own conclusion by discovering the answers.

How long in business

How many yrs doing lighting

How many projects completed per yr.

licensed Bonded liability Insured ?

workers compensation insurance ?

is LL their only business

If not what percentage of their business?

offer a maintenance package?

written warranty from your contractor? What does it cover, what doesn't it cover?

are they busy?

have you seen their work

If you have seen theeir work are you happy with what you have seen

do they have a reputation in your area.

website

do they comeback when finished to aim and adjust

how deep do they bury cable

Any opinion you get here is virtually worthless as we do not have the answer to these quesyions.

 

[Alan B]

Solid fixtures, tran and the 5 hubs imply he will layout to compensate for voltage drop, but price is really on the "too inexpensive" side. The quoting co may do it for that but the reality is they co cannot not sustain a living at those prices over the long haul. The concern is if the business model doesn't make sense, what gives. Could be a guy just starting, just exiting, a guy that doesn't know how to quote, or a guy that's just in real need -- but not too many indications point to an experience pro known for quality, who has a healthy business.

But the fixtures, trans, and price are great -- which is better than most people get.

 

[S&MLL]

It is impossible to give a definitive answer to your question because there are so many variables. You are not buying a commodity so comparison between quotes is impossible. No two designers/installers will ever turn out the same work.

You can answer some of these questions and probably arrive at your own conclusion by discovering the answers.

How long in business

How many yrs doing lighting

How many projects completed per yr.

licensed Bonded liability Insured ?

workers compensation insurance ?

is LL their only business

If not what percentage of their business?

offer a maintenance package?

written warranty from your contractor? What does it cover, what doesn't it cover?

are they busy?

have you seen their work

If you have seen theeir work are you happy with what you have seen

do they have a reputation in your area.

website

do they comeback when finished to aim and adjust

how deep do they bury cable

Any opinion you get here is virtually worthless as we do not have the answer to these quesyions.

Some of these questions do not matter imho.

There are guys that do 1 project a year and gross more then 10 lighting guys combined.

A website..... Not everyone needs a website.

I do work in areas that I didn't know exist. But I get the call because they find me and I can win over anyone.

Everyone has to start out somewhere. Maybe this guy is young and new.... But should someone hold that against him? Im still young, and I hate it when contractors try to put me down for that..... I have projects that put them to shame.

Sorry for the rant but lets not knock a guy who we dont even know. Maybe he does 200 of those projects a year. Even at 20 percent profit he still makes 180k a year. Nothing to be ashamed about

 

[Lite4]

If the guy is a one man show and has next to nothing for overhead, he can still make a living at those rates. Sounds like a decent priced quote. If you found it quoted for less I would be wary of that installer more than this one. That being said however, I would still want to see his portfolio and more importantly ask and check some references from past work. If he did a good job for them and they are thrilled, chances are you may have found your guy.

Good Luck

 

[INTEGRA Bespoke Lighting]

All of the above advice has been sound. I cannot see how the contractor would be making enough money at those prices to stay in business in the long run, something you might want to consider.

 

[sal rodriguez]

Some of these questions do not matter imho.

There are guys that do 1 project a year and gross more then 10 lighting guys combined.

A website..... Not everyone needs a website.

I do work in areas that I didn't know exist. But I get the call because they find me and I can win over anyone.

Everyone has to start out somewhere. Maybe this guy is young and new.... But should someone hold that against him? Im still young, and I hate it when contractors try to put me down for that..... I have projects that put them to shame.

Sorry for the rant but lets not knock a guy who we dont even know. Maybe he does 200 of those projects a year. Even at 20 percent profit he still makes 180k a year. Nothing to be ashamed about

You seem to be taking this personally. I'm not knocking anyone and certainly my post wasn't directed at you as I don't even know you.

So you are saying experience is not important?

website is unnecessary?

just fine with you to hire someone who has little or no experience and pay them equal to a contractor that does?

I don't understand your reasoning.

 

[JoeyD]

Just FYI with the exception of the Viking and Gemini the fixtures he is using are our Brass Knights series fixtures, not our Odyssey so prices are substantially less. Other than that i will stay out of this...lol....BUY UNIQUE!

 

[S&MLL]

Just FYI with the exception of the Viking and Gemini the fixtures he is using are our Brass Knights series fixtures, not our Odyssey so prices are substantially less. Other than that i will stay out of this...lol....BUY UNIQUE!

Do these fixtures not carry a lifetime warranty?

 

[irrig8r]

http://www.uniquelighting.com/tech_support/WARRANTY.htm

 

[extlights]

Because of what Joey said I'd say that the quote isn't far off. Taking all things into consideration we would probably be able to do the project around the same price.....of course that's just going off of materials and assuming that there is nothing crazy and about the install.

 

[David Gretzmier]

I would say your lifetime warranty is worth about how long this person will be in business. and the above points about a person staying in business, at that price using those fixtures, is questionable. since most of us have a feel for how much this stuff costs and we know how expensive the overhead on our business is, even with just one guy, one truck and insurance, the price still seems a bit low. for myself, for the same job, I would be in the neighborhood of 20-35% higher, depending on soil and jobsite difficulty. At that price level, I will stay in business for the long haul and feed my family.

 

[Pro-Scapes]

To the original poster... Are you expecting service for a given lenght of time to be included or will he be charging you for this service in the 1st year ? Also I would ask him if he plans to maintain the lighting. Is this system going in as part of a landscape where labor costs can be saved allowing this contractor to provide you with this abnormally low price ? Will they be hiding the wires on the Gemini's ?

I figured out what it would cost me to do the job just on the materials (estimating wire at one spool assuming a small site) and to thoes who said you could do it at this price should really double check. I think corners will be cut and your system/design may leave you wondering what happened. Unless all the fixtures are going within 25 ft of the transformer I would really wonder if someone can sustain at this price and if they will be there a year from now.

Going with the lowest price can be appealing but seek out the truth and find out where your best value is.

A great article on the subject is avalible on GambinoLighting.com then click articles then for consumers. There is a PDF titled "How to hire a Outdoor Lighting designer/installer" That may help you a bit.

 

[irrig8r]

I agree with Billy. Depending on terrain and distances that job could easily go for $7 K.