The frustration of typing in permanent outdoor lighting near me and looking at a wall of results all the same 5 star result is its own form of frustration. All the companies boast that they are the best. All the profiles appear to be polished. However, choose the wrong one and you are left with fascia damage, an incomplete installation and a customer service line that ceases to answer 6 months after the job has been completed. It can be cut through like this. Resources!
Begin at home, but check. Find a business that is at least three years old in your locality – one that has been through actual winters, that has been able to deal with actual complaints and that has been able to pay actual warranty claims. Such a track record beats a beautiful web site any time. Direct question: What is the number of installs that you have accomplished in this area? In case they are unable to provide you with a sure answer, pass on.
The minimum photos are portfolio photos. They are almost universally found with almost every installer. It is actually consistency you are considering, are completed rooflines appearing clean on a range of home types, or does the portfolio look like it has the same two houses? A varied portfolio is an indicator of actual experience in tricky angles, diverse architecture and tricky rooflines. Photo cookie-cutters tend to refer to cookie-cutter work.
Inquire directly about the type of fixtures that they are fitting and why. This question in itself makes the difference between real professionals and the weekend warriors with a practice. Quality hardware refers to UV resistant housing and weatherproof connectors that are designed to last years of outdoor use. An installer who is unable to defend his or her choice of products with conviction is telling you something.
Character is fast brought out through warranty conversations. A confident installer will also provide a two-year labor warranty, at the least, with what the manufacturer will provide on parts. Uncertainty in this case normally indicates that they had unpleasant calls back that they would not wish to re-experience. Ask the question: what will happen should a fixture break down in 14 months time? Be attentive to their responses.
The use of local Facebook groups and neighborhood apps is outrageous in carrying out this type of research. No reason to gild the lily with real homeowners, real experiences. A single honest remark by an individual three streets away is worth a dozen of anonymous online reviews.
Request a detailed quote – labor, hardware, controller, app set up, all listed out on a line by line basis. All lump-sum quotes have something to hide, although not necessarily deliberately. You should be made aware of what you are paying.