DIY vs. Professional Landscape Lighting: What You Need to Know

When you search for a how-to video online, it can make things look pretty easy to do.

Take landscape lighting, for instance. If you’ve searched for how to install landscape lighting, you might think it isn’t complicated at all. DIY tutorials can almost make you feel like an instant expert.

And maybe the potential cost savings and the goal of tackling a challenge excite you. Or maybe you see those light sets at your local home improvement store, and you think just staking in a few solar lights will look as magical as the pictures you see online.

Let’s dive into what’s involved in successful landscape lighting installation and help you compare the pros and cons of DIY landscape lights vs. professional landscape lighting.

Comparing Professional Landscape Lighting vs. DIY Landscape Lights

When you picture the perfect landscape lighting in Northeast Florida, you picture your pathways, patio, outdoor entertainment areas, and other areas slowly coming to life as the sun sets.

You don’t envision lights that work for a month and then fade on you, making the effort and cost worthless in the end.

Here, we’ll highlight some things to consider when deciding between DIY landscape lights and hiring a professional so you can choose the best solution for your home landscape.

DIY vs. Pro Landscape Lighting: Fixture Options

Many landscape lighting options are available, which can make choosing your options quite a chore.

Unfortunately, hardware stores sell quite a few cheaper options that may seem attractive at the outset. For instance, solar lights may sound like a good idea, so you might be tempted to try them, but there are some drawbacks.

Solar lighting effectiveness depends on the individual fixtures receiving adequate sunlight to power them. This is dependent on location in your yard, whether they are in the sun or shade, and even what direction your home faces. For instance, you might have weaker power during gray or cloudy days due to the lack of sunlight.

Some DIY landscape lights are not designed to last and are made of cheap plastic, adding to your ongoing upkeep and replacement costs. This can quickly escalate your lighting spending.

On the other hand, professional light fixtures are designed for effective, reliable, long-term wear-and-tear. They cast soothing glows and create effects that enhance safety while reducing long-term maintenance efforts.

LED lights, for example, can cost a bit more up front, but they can withstand weather and save you on energy costs. Taylor Anthony 365's brass fixtures can last longer than plastic and are much more reliable.

DIY vs. Pro Landscape Lighting: Electrical Knowledge

Wiring is a crucial part of a landscape lighting system. Do your DIY landscape lights look limited?

The further away your light fixtures are from your transformer, the less likely they are to receive the voltage necessary to work at full capacity. This will result in dim bulbs or ones that frequently burn out.

Outdoor wiring presents its own challenges, such as temperature fluctuations, water and humidity, and even insect or animal damage.

Professional landscape lighting companies use tougher, thicker wire, allowing electricity to flow without resistance.

This is one key advantage of professional landscape lighting vs. DIY: The technicians have the electrical knowledge necessary to do the job properly. They can match the right light fixtures to your unique property, highlighting your home’s architecture, plantings, and pool or patio in ways that suit your home and how you use your yard best.

DIY vs. Pro Landscape Lighting: Design Is Important

So, if you have your tools and have researched and purchased the right landscape lighting products, the next step is design.

When it comes to DIY landscape lights vs. hiring a pro, we tend to see quite a few mistakes – from overlighting to aiming lights incorrectly. Have you ever been blinded by a neighbor’s light fixture that points right into your bedroom window or your own that points into your family room while you’re watching television? That’s poor aiming.

Another mistake is the runway effect, where a line of lights reminds you of an airport runway. This doesn’t cast gentle light over your pathway or walkway the way well-designed lighting should.

Rather than make your home and landscape more beautiful at night, poor design can make it look glaring.

A professional, on the other hand, understands lighting systems and fixtures and how to use them to add beauty and function to your Northeast Florida landscape without detracting from it. There are so many effects that can be used to achieve a great landscape lighting look, from moonlighting to uplighting to step lights to spotlights.

DIY Landscape Lights vs. Hiring a Pro in Northeast Florida: Which is Best For You?

As you review these considerations on landscape lighting design, fixture wearability, and wiring, you’re probably deciding which option is best for you.

Unless you’re experienced with outdoor electrical projects, have done your homework on landscape lighting systems and fixtures, know lighting effects and design, and have a plan for lighting maintenance after the job is done, then you might be better off leaving the job to a pro.

Otherwise, with the DIY option, you might spend a decent amount of time and money on something that you’re not happy with and that doesn’t last more than one season.

If you still feel confused about all of your options, let Taylor Anthony 365 help. We have experts who design and install high-end landscape lighting. We can give your yard just the right amount of light that suits your unique home and landscape, doesn’t waste your time or money, and doesn't disappoint you down the road.

Ready to see how Taylor Anthony 365 can help you enjoy your Northeast Florida landscape after the sun goes down? We’d love to share our expertise with you. Get started today with a free consultation. Together, we can prepare a plan that works best for you.