Landscape lighting looks similar on install day whether it's built to last for years or built to look good for the first season. The difference comes down to the design process, the fixtures, and the company standing behind the work. Here's what to look for.
Look for a design-forward company
Outdoor lighting design is its own discipline: understanding how light plays across trees, stone, and architecture after dark, and planning a system that holds up outdoors year after year. A company that leads with design will walk you through how they read your property, where the light should land, what should stay dark, how the whole thing reads from the street and from inside the house, not just what fixtures they sell.
If the conversation starts with a fixture count and a price, you're buying an installation. If it starts with your property, you're buying a design.
Ask what fixtures they use, and why
A good contractor will tell you the manufacturer and material without hesitation, and will explain the reasoning behind the choice. Fixture selection should follow the project: the environment, the finish, the beam spread the design calls for, and how long the system needs to hold up. There's no single right answer for every property, but there should always be a reason.
Ask what the fixtures are made of, who makes them, and what the manufacturer stands behind. If the answer is vague, that's your answer.
It's also worth asking about anything already on the property. If you have an older high-voltage system in the ground, ask whether the contractor will remove it as part of the new install, or whether you'll be left with two systems and one that no longer works.
Ask about the design and proposal process
A good process typically starts with a phone conversation, then a complimentary consultation at the property in daylight to walk the space, review utilities, and talk through how you use the yard.
From there, a designer develops a plan. The best contractors will show you that plan in a way you can actually evaluate before you commit: a rendering, a detailed design, or a nighttime demonstration on your own property. You should come away with a custom design and written proposal you understand, with the scope spelled out clearly enough that you know exactly what you're buying.
Ask about the transformer and the wire
The parts you'll never see are the parts that determine whether the system is still running well in ten years. A well-designed system uses a quality transformer sized for the load with some room to grow, mounted on the house, on a photocell and astronomical timer, along with properly gauged, corrosion-resistant wire and waterproof connections at every splice.
Ask your contractor to walk you through what they use and why they chose it. Buried wire and outdoor transformers live a hard life in Texas. The components should be built for it.
Ask about warranty, in writing
Warranty terms vary by company and by fixture line, so ask for specifics rather than assuming a standard. A few things worth asking about:
- What's covered on the fixtures themselves, and for how long.
- What's covered on the LED lamps.
- What's covered on labor, and whether a maintenance plan is available.
Just as important: ask who actually handles a warranty claim. There's a real difference between a company that hands you a manufacturer's phone number and one that takes care of it for you.
How we handle it
K Legacy Lighting is a design-led, owner-operated company. Design comes first here. Every project starts with a walk of the property in daylight, and the plan is built around what the property gives us rather than a package we're trying to fit onto it.
We work exclusively with low voltage systems, and we work from a curated list of manufacturers we've chosen deliberately. These are professional-grade lines available to design firms rather than off the shelf, which gives us the freedom to select the right fixture for the project: the environment, the finish, the beam spread, how the system needs to perform over time, instead of forcing every property into whatever one brand happens to make. We'll tell you exactly what we've specified and why.
Because our manufacturer relationships are direct, fixture warranties are held between us and the manufacturer rather than between you and a company you've never spoken to. If a fixture needs to be addressed under warranty, you call us. There's no claim to file, no serial number to chase, and no manufacturer service line to sit on. That management is part of the K Legacy Longevity Plan, so ongoing enrollment is what keeps us handling manufacturer warranty claims on your behalf.
Behind the fixtures, we use high-quality transformers built for longevity and safety, and corrosion-resistant wire rated to last safely for years where it's buried. If there's an older high-voltage system on the property, we'll recommend removing it and handle that as part of the install.
When seeing the light would help you make a decision, we'll bring fixtures out after dark and light the actual trees and features we're proposing. It isn't part of every project, but it's available on every project, and it's often the thing that makes the design click.
We're fully insured, and we back our work with a workmanship warranty. For clients who want ongoing care, the K Legacy Longevity Plan is an optional maintenance program with bi-annual visits: re-aiming, cleaning, and adjusting for growth. As long as you're enrolled, your workmanship warranty stays in force and we continue managing your fixtures' manufacturer warranties for you. It's an opt-in, not something bundled into every install.
Every project is custom, so pricing depends on the size of your property, what you want lit, and the scope of the system. Projects start at $2,500. We put together a custom design and written proposal with options at a few different scopes, so you'll know the full price before any work begins. No surprises. For a fuller breakdown, see What landscape lighting costs in North Texas.
We design and install throughout North Texas and the DFW area. If that sounds like the kind of company you want on your property, get on the calendar for a free consultation. We'll meet you at the property in daylight and put together a custom design and written proposal.
