Homeowners — FAQ

What is a Lighting Designer?

A lighting designer is the best friend you didn't know was missing. They understand both the aesthetics of lighting, as well as the technical aspects. They understand how lighting impacts the entire environment and how to achieve desired visual results. They can bring a room alive.

They also understand how to talk to architects, electricians, and contractors so that the proper things are done during the course of a lighting installation. They can help you make a lighting installation goes smoothly.

Why would I need to hire a Lighting Designer?

Look around your house, does your head cast a shadow on the kitchen counter while you're trying to work? Is there a light that always shines in your eyes as you are going up or down the stairs? Are there mystery light switches in your house that don't seem to do anything as far as you can tell?

A lighting designer understands all of those problems and even more. They have extensive experience in dealing with lighting for all kinds of different environments and homes. They understand the aesthetics of lighting as well as the intricacies of installation.

My electrician said he does this all the time and he can pick and the lights for me.

This is true. However, an electrician is just going to do what he's done in the past. This means that you're at the mercy of his experience. If he has lots of experience he may have a fairly large bag of tricks from which the pull a lighting solution for you. But if he does everything the same way every time then you're stuck. He's also going to use lighting fixtures that he can get for a cheap price. He won't necessarily pick the best fixture for the particular purpose in which it needs to be used.

A lighting designer studies light. They can come up with original solutions to any number of problems. They aren't limited by what someone else has done before. They are also familiar with a wider variety of lighting fixtures and techniques, so they can offer a wider choice of solutions to your problems.

What comes next? What are the steps to the process?

First, we have to figure out what it is that you want. This will start with a phone call and then I may come out to your house. If you're building a new home, it is actually best if you get in touch with me before beginning construction, that way we can coordinate the lighting with all the other mechanical requirements for your home.

Next, I will come up with a proposal for you look over and from which you can choose what work you want done and when it will begin. This can include something is simple as quick sketches on your drawings to a full design with plans, specifications, installation instructions, meetings, coordination with other members of the design team, troubleshooting, focusing, and creation of lighting scenes.

Do you just pick out what light to use or do you pick out where they go?

Both. Good lighting design is a combination of the right fixture in the right place with the right control. That is my job. I can also help pick out decorative lighting fixtures (chandeliers, sconces, table lamps, etc.), but I can also work with you or your interior designer so the you can make the selections and I can just provide guidance in whether or not the fixtures you select are going to work for your lighting requirements.

How does pricing work?

I charge a flat fee for the project. How much that is depends on the job. I do not charge by the hour. The price you get on the proposal will be the final price you pay. This helps you know how much to budget for the design before you get started on a project. Surprises are great, but not on bills.

You will notice this is not the way most designers work. You will also notice that most bids are lower than the final bill. I didn't like this system so I was happy to incorporate this new pricing system into my company.

Does your price include the electrician and all the equipment?

No it does not. It is strictly a design fee. I am happy to talk to you about those other prices and give you a range of what to expect. Your budget for those purchases do effect the final design so it behooves both of us to have some idea of those figures at the beginning of the process.

Can you work in a house that is already finished? How would that work?

I do a lot of remodel work. Sometimes someone just needs a few fixtures added to room without changing anything else. In those cases I prefer to use remodel fixtures so that the ceiling does not have to be repaired once the installation is complete. Some times, the fixtures that have to be used to accomplish a particular task, such as art lighting, will require that the ceiling be damaged in a way that will have to be repaired by a drywall person, which will be separate from the electrician.

Do you bring in the electrician or do I have to find my own?

Either. Some people already have an electrician that they like to use and some people don't. I can recommend a few local electricians.

How do you get the lighting equipment?

It depends upon the job but usually the electrician will purchase the equipment and charge you for that equipment separately. Sometimes you as the homeowner can purchase the equipment yourself. I usually recommend that the electrician purchase the equipment because then he has to warranty it after installation.