5 Mistakes People Make When Hiring an Outdoor Lighting Installer
Choosing the Wrong Installer Can Cost You
Outdoor lighting is an investment — and a bad install can lead to flickering lights, system failures, maintenance headaches, and poor curb appeal. We’ve seen plenty of homeowners in Central Florida burned by cheap bids and bad contractors.
Here are the most common mistakes people make when hiring a lighting installer — and how to make sure you don’t fall into the same traps.
Mistake #1 – Hiring a General Electrician or Landscaper
Just because someone can run wire or plant shrubs doesn’t mean they can design and install a lighting system that performs and looks great. Most electricians default to line-voltage setups and treat it like wiring a ceiling fan. Most landscapers rely on solar kits or basic path lights.
What to Do Instead:
Hire a specialist who focuses on low-voltage outdoor lighting — someone who understands voltage drop, beam angles, fixture placement, and long-term reliability.
Read about Why Low Voltage is better for Landscape Lighting
Learn more about the Lighting Packages We Offer
Mistake #2 – Choosing the Lowest Bid
It’s tempting to go with the cheapest price — but with outdoor lighting, you get what you pay for. Cheap bids usually mean:
Aluminum or plastic fixtures
Generic LED lamps
Inadequate wiring
No transformer headroom
No warranty or follow-up service
What to Do Instead:
Ask what kind of fixtures, wire, lamps, and transformer are being used. Quality materials cost more — but they’ll save you from costly repairs or total system failure.
We also offer Lighting Maintenance Programs
Mistake #3 – No Demonstration or Design Plan
Some contractors quote you over the phone or email with no design walk-through, no site visit, and no demo. That’s a red flag.
What to Do Instead:
Make sure your installer provides a custom lighting design based on your property’s layout and architecture — and shows you real fixture performance with demo lights during the consultation.
Learn About our Free Design Consultation
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Mistake #4 – Ignoring Warranty and Maintenance Support
What happens if something fails? Who do you call? A lot of contractors vanish after the job, and many don’t offer support, maintenance, or warranties — leaving you stuck when something breaks.
What to Do Instead:
Ask what’s covered, how long the warranty lasts, and whether ongoing service is offered. At Ecotek, we offer support long after the install is complete — and we stand behind everything we build.
Mistake #5 – No Plan for Expansion or Upgrades
Many systems are installed with no thought to future growth. That means no extra transformer capacity, poor wire layout, or inflexible fixture selection — all of which limit your ability to add zones or switch to RGBW later.
What to Do Instead:
Choose an installer who builds systems with scalability in mind — leaving you room to grow and update without starting from scratch.
Learn about our Permanent Lighting Services
Learn about our Premium RGBW Lighting Services
Hire a Specialist Who Does It Right the First Time
At Ecotek Outdoor Lighting, we specialize in outdoor lighting design and installation — and that’s all we do. Every system is custom-designed, voltage-balanced, and built to last. No shortcuts. No generic kits. No ghosting after install.
We serve homeowners, HOAs, and small businesses across Central Florida with honest advice, live demos, and ongoing support.
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Let’s Light Your Property the Right Way
Skip the frustration. Skip the regrets. Let’s build a system that works, looks incredible, and lasts for years. Fill out your details below, and we will get