Table of Contents

• The Basics of DIY Landscape Lighting
• Common Challenges With DIY Landscape Lighting
• Limited Design Expertise
• Product Quality Limitations
• Installation Challenges
• Benefits of Professional Landscape Lighting
• Customized Lighting Design
• Higher-Quality Materials and Fixtures
• Expert Installation
• When DIY Lighting May Make Sense
• When Professional Landscape Lighting Is Worth the Investment
• Trust the Professionals at Get Lit Landscape Lighting

Landscape lighting is an investment in your property’s curb appeal, safety, security, and usability. It enhances architectural and landscape features, improves visibility, makes it safer and easier to navigate the property after dark, increases security, and extends the usability of outdoor living spaces after sunset. 

Because of this, DIY landscape lighting is becoming more and more popular, with retail lighting kits available at most home improvement stores. While DIY landscape lighting can work in some situations, professional landscape lighting typically provides better performance, design, and longevity. 

Keep reading to learn more about the differences between professional and DIY landscape lighting, the pros and cons of each, and how to decide which option is right for you. 

The Basics of DIY Landscape Lighting

DIY landscape lighting is typically nothing more than basic path, spotlight, and accent lighting. It usually entails solar lights, plug-and-play systems, and low-voltage kits purchased from home improvement stores. 

The DIY route appeals to homeowners because of the lower upfront cost — kits often appear much more affordable when compared to professional installation. They also value the convenience and control these kits provide; they’re immediately available and can be installed anytime. 

Common Challenges With DIY Landscape Lighting

However, DIY landscape lighting comes with some drawbacks, as well. 

Limited Design Expertise

Lighting placement is more complex than it looks. Homeowners with limited design expertise may over- or under-light certain areas, creating uneven brightness throughout the property. They may also place fixtures in less-than-ideal areas or miss opportunities to highlight landscaping and architecture. 

Furthermore, an effective lighting design is layered, combining multiple techniques, such as uplighting, downlighting, path lighting, moonlighting, accent lighting, and more. Many DIY projects rely on a single fixture type and lack the visual impact of professional designs. 

Product Quality Limitations

There’s also the fact that retail fixtures, like those you can buy from a hardware store, often have shorter lifespans than professional equipment. They’re typically made of lightweight materials, fade or corrode faster, and aren’t as weather-resistant. They often don’t perform as consistently, either, with dim or uneven lighting or weak transformers.

Installation Challenges

Performing installation yourself can be challenging, as well. There’s plenty of opportunities for wiring and layout problems, including incorrect voltage calculations, poor cable routing, exposed or damaged wiring, or overloaded systems. And when problems do occur, troubleshooting can be time-consuming when you don’t know what you’re looking for. 

Benefits of Professional Landscape Lighting

Professional landscape lighting may come with a higher upfront cost, but its extensive benefits are worth the investment. When you consider the total cost of ownership of your DIY landscape lighting system — frequent fixture replacement, maintenance and repairs, and time spent troubleshooting — it’s clear that professional systems have a better long-term value. 

Customized Lighting Design

When you work with the professionals, you get a lighting plan designed around your property’s unique architecture and landscaping. The lighting will be used to create strategic focal points — such as trees, water features, gardens, and structures — and provide balanced illumination without a harsh glare. The lighting system will add a sense of depth and dimension to the landscape, creating a polished, cohesive appearance. 

Higher-Quality Materials and Fixtures

Commercial-grade fixtures are built for long-term performance. With durable metals and finishes, better moisture resistance, and long-lasting LED technology, they can weather the elements and stand the test of time. 

Expert Installation

With expert installation, you can trust that the lighting system is the proper size, the wiring is safe, and that your lights will perform reliably. Plus, professionals pay attention to every detail, ensuring the wiring is concealed, the fixtures are placed perfectly, and the system won’t be damaged during landscape maintenance. 

When DIY Lighting May Make Sense

Despite the potential drawbacks, DIY landscape lighting can be good for small or temporary projects, such as simple garden beds, short pathways, seasonal setups, or temporary lighting before major landscaping changes. This is especially true if you’re comfortable with installation and maintenance and have modest expectations. 

When Professional Landscape Lighting Is Worth the Investment

Professional landscape lighting is worth the investment if you:

• Have a large or complex property
• Desire a high-end appearance
• Have multiple outdoor living spaces
• Want to highlight architectural or landscape features
• Have security and safety concerns
• Are interested in automation or smart controls
• Are frustrated with repeated DIY repairs or upgrades

Trust the Professionals at Get Lit Landscape Lighting

While DIY landscape lighting has its place, if you want to get the best value for your money and the most impactful results, it’s best to trust the professionals at Get Lit Landscape Lighting. Contact us today to schedule a consultation or estimate!