As a full service Outdoor Lighting company serving New Jersey, we are asked the questions below on a regular basis. To make it easier for you to decide we are the right contractor, we have provided the answers to some of those questions.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions - Outdoor Lighting
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Why choose a professional landscape lighting contractor? +
Hiring an inexperienced/unlicensed lighting contractor or landscaper for your installation can end up costing you more money in the long run due to substandard installation practices.
You should always have someone experienced with Low Voltage Lighting Systems install your landscape lighting to ensure:
- Proper voltage settings at all fixtures as well as the transformer
- Waterproofed wire splices/ connections
- Adequate fixture placement/ burial
- Satisfactory wire burial completed without the shortcuts will guarantee that your system runs worry-free for many years.
Don’t cheat yourself out of the lighting techniques, design knowledge, and experience that a true lighting professional can provide. Working with someone you know you can trust will bring you peace of mind about the safety and quality of your system.
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What about Solar? +
All County Irrigation does NOT install or recommend solar lighting. Solar lights are inadequate and are not intended to cast light on pathways, shrubbery, trees, or architectural features. They simply light up and mark an edge or boundary of an area or path so all you will see at night is the fixture itself. The “runway” effect is highly discouraged. -
How much should I budget when doing quality lighting? +
The actual cost depends on several factors including:- The size of your yard
- The number and type of lights
- Materials
- Any obstacles during installation
All County Irrigation gives free estimates. Our designers will work with you to provide you with a quality system in your price range.
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Why are the lights more expensive than those in my local home improvement store? +
The lighting products used by All County Irrigation and Outdoor Lighting are quality and backed with warranties, unlike those of your local home improvement store. With the products we use, we provide your home or business with a professionally designed system.
The quality of the materials used by All County Irrigation and Outdoor Lighting is evident in the look and feel of the fixtures: solid brass and copper, instead of copper plated. Advancements in powder coating techniques found in top quality aluminum fixtures prevent corrosion and other damage. Our manufacturers stand behind their products with excellent warranties. Substandard fixtures do not hold up well against the elements and will ultimately make you spend more money on their untimely replacements.
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What should I expect when I call for a free landscape lighting consultation and estimate? +
Our designer will meet with you to discuss your lighting needs to ensure that his design covers all the key reasons that you want lighting. In addition, he/she will walk the property and assess any other suggested lighting options, design a custom lighting portrait, and provide you with a free estimate. -
What are the advantages of low voltage landscape lighting over high voltage systems? +
The biggest ones are safety and cost!
Of course, safety is of the highest importance. High-voltage systems (120v) must remain moisture-free to prevent potential shock hazards if wires are compromised. A low-voltage system (12v) is specifically designed to not warrant this concern.
High voltage systems are more expensive to operate than low voltage fixtures, as they require more electricity which obviously increases your electric bill. Also, higher costs may be incurred if a fixture(s) need to be relocated.
Burying 120-volt system wiring can be problematic due to depths and the need for a protective conduit. Low-voltage system (12v) wires do not have the same constraints, which offers the customer more flexibility for future changes than the 120-volt counterpart.
Aesthetically, 12-volt system fixtures are smaller and less obtrusive. In addition, they offer a wider variety of precise, as well as artistic lighting effects. The higher watt bulbs of the 120-volt systems create unwanted glare and have a reduced ability to create subtle landscape lighting effects.
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