I went to the seminar today and had a great time. I am ready to install my first 'professional' landscape lighting system. All I need is a volunteer.
Let me go over the highlights,
This company uses solid brass fixtures which have a lifetime guarantee. They are TOTALLY geared toward the upscale market and have an array of products and marketing material that definitely caters to this customer base. Their theory is to sell the lighting, not pretty fixtures (Though the fixtures are quite nice in my opinion).
A couple differences I see between this company and Home Depot brands are:
(1) Cast has a nice transformer that has different taps to compensate for voltage drop over long runs of wire. By keeping the line voltage in the optimal range the bulbs last longer and all lights shine with the same brightness.
(2) They have a very thorough system of installation methods that will keep the system in top shape for years and make it very easy to maintain. This system includes tinned marine grade wire, something called a spider splice where you hook your 'home run' wire to the lights, and all connections are soldered to ensure no problems.
I used a solder pot today which makes soldering idiot proof. You dip all splices into the solder pot and boy are they tight once the solder cools. Add a waterproof wire nut and aint nothin gonna screw up that splice.
(3) They have a very unique system of labeling the lights right on the fixture so you don't screw up when you replace the bulbs. Furthermore the system of Spider Splices makes if very easy to chase down problems or make additions/changes to the system. Apparently landscape light bulbs come in different wattages and different angles depending on the effect you desire.
I know I sound like a salesmen for this company but I was impressed. I should say that I have not been to any other lighting seminars and the methods above may be standard practice for all upscale lighting companies.
Now the Bad News...
I spoke to an irrigation contractor who bought a demo kit and has tried selling these jobs. However, he has had a lot of trouble with the cost of the installation. He said that everyone loves the demo but their face drops when he says what the system will cost.
The instructor said that the best way to price these systems was a fixed price of $200-250 per fixture
which would cover the cost of the transformer and wires. They recommended we set a minimum job price so we don't end up eating a transformer when installing six lights.
My question to those brave souls who made it down the page this far is if this is the going rate for professionally installed landscape lighting? I like the product but just don't see more than a few of my current customers going for it. However, if this is where the cost of installation should be I'll market this service more aggressively and hopefully have a nice add on.