Thanks for watching the video! If you want to learn more or need help, here are 3 options. ✅ Feel free to check out my FREE PDF download of the fundamentals of landscape lighting course.aklighting.net/freepdfdownload Or ✅ Get the landscape Lighting I recommend! diycourse.aklighting.net/lightingrecommendations Or ✅ Complete Start-to-Finish Guide for Your Lighting Project Get affordable professional help so you can install your lights the right way course.aklighting.net/diylandscapelightingcourse

I appreciate the intent, but if I can’t do it for cheap, then I’m not going to do it. It would be really special to see a video where you (a professional) use a cheap Amazon kit and a smart plug. It could be like those videos where a pro chef makes a Big Mac gourmet

Very good video and it addressed an important point. I wish I had seen it 20 years ago. The old store brand halogen fixtures last about 5 to 8 years. And, not having the waterproof connectors meant a voltage drop from 12.9 to about 1.5. That is when the lights fail. I have watched nearly all of your videos and learn from each. I just redid my two homes and helped a friend. We used commercial quality LED fixtures, good transformer and waterproof connections. They look great! Thanks

@aklighting8292

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment! I definitely agree that professional lighting last a lot longer. Glad you we able to redue your homes and help a friend!

Great info Adam! Formal training in any profession is key to success for a company, while DIY's have an obligation to understand how to properly do work on their own which ultimately should RAISE the value of their home investment as well as their pride of work and of course enjoyment of their creations.

Nice video, Adam. I was waiting for "electrical connections" to be a top 5. I've switched entirely to Volt brand lights and transformers but no fixture will last without proper waterproof connectors. Copper crimp first, then isolate in silicone tubes.

And let's not forget the states that have laws curtailing net metering. In Louisiana for example, net metering is limited to barely cover the cost of fuel. Currently sitting at 6 cents per KWh. Basically, if you're not grandfathered into the old rate system then it's economically pointless to grid tie

I'm the person you describe. Kind of handy, started looking on Amazon for lights because home depot didn't have any nice ones. Glad I found you early! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

@aklighting8292

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing

Got it: 1) where there are lights, 2) quality of lights, 3) quantity of lights, 4) cutting corners is the devil in the details, and 5) hidden connector quality.

Hi Adam, great videos! Per your suggestion I think I should hire a professional but I don’t know of any. How would you suggest I go about finding the right company? Thanks!

@kenperry7723

Жыл бұрын

Call your closest Siteone and ask them for a couple good referrals

Hey Adam, great videos! Question, looks like there are some simplified solutions based on my research that I'm looking to install in landscaping by our new in-ground pool. One option that I'm seeing is the Enbrighten Seasons Mini LED Color-Changing Landscape Lights. I'm looking to run roughly 200ft of lighting and powering them isn't an issue as we have multiple hidden outdoor plugs that were installed when the pool was. Just looking for an opinion on these specific lights and any comments or concerns you may have. Reviews look good and the company seems legit with smartly done videos with actual employees presenting. Seems like they may have created something here that is easy to install but also robustly built (commercial grade bronze pucks, UL listed for permanent outdoor installation etc.). Any opinions you might share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Adam!

Bro very good information.... where i live in Toronto Brampton, where I can buy good deal landscape lights could you please guide me please

@aklighting8292

3 жыл бұрын

I'd recommend Volt Lighting. If you want other lights that aren't brass, take a look at my lighting recommendation PDF diycourse.aklighting.net/lightingrecommendations

I think there is some truth to this. However, I am not a professional fence builder, but I have been around the block enough to know that most fences are not built correctly by professionals. A little research and roughing in your lights before setting them forever is a good method. The problem today is finding the professional that really don't cut corners, so far there is only a hand full of folks that do the real way.

@aklighting8292

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment! I agree! The point I was making is that just winging a lighting job won't be as good as getting professional help or have a professional do it. To your point, once you understand something well enough to understand how so many people do a poor job, its really disappointing.

1. Because we can't AFFORD $5,000 to install landscape lighting. 2. Because YOU got to be an expert by how? Reading, asking questions, and DOING it.... 3. Because I am a RLA...So I'm sure I'm smart enough to figure it out! 4. Because it's extremely insulting to think that a homeowner can't be as professional..as "The Professional "

@aklighting8292

2 жыл бұрын

Sarcasm, love it!

@lowellirish

2 жыл бұрын

@@aklighting8292 NO, it's not sarcasm...it's FACT. As good as a Landscape Designer as I am, and I AM...It was ignorant of me when I was younger to consider myself "so accomplished" and omniscient that I was "the professional", and that others could not do what I was doing to my skill level! It took a couple times in driving by jobs I had lost because my price was not in their budget...and in seeing homeowners building stone walls, or patios...much to my chagrin...as well, or better than myself! At this point on my life, I learned a lesson...I wasn't "special". I was accomplished. Now, did those homeowners make mistakes along the way? I'm sure they did! One thing I learned was that people are capable...and that served me well when I inherited my parents home, only to find the basement wall collapsed inward, and 10 6x6 post rotted, sagging roofline, and...well, in need of $80,000 in repairs. The $ of which I did not have! I have LEARNED construction, and codes, and building principals over the past 5-6 years, having now jacked up a 3 story house...and it started with building a woodshed and repairing the decks. I now own a $600,000 home in the country. Good luck, I enjoy your videos. BTW, my lighting looks fantastic! 😅 (Sarcasm)

@aklighting8292

2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate your comment. I agree that we become "experts" by learning and doing. I have helped coach many people through their DIY lighting projects and the end result often beats out or is a just as good as most professional lighting installations. I agree that we aren't special, rather accomplished. I'm also very impressed that you learned construction and code, such a great experience! The point I guess I'm trying to make in these types of videos is more directed to a specific group. It's challenging as a KZreadr to create videos that "speaks" to everyone. I make videos about how solar lights are inferior to low-voltage, and I get a group that hates on those videos. This video was meant to show that not everyone who wants to DIY can actually DIY as well as they might think, and that hiring a professional is often a great choice. There is a spectrum of DIYers. Thanks for saying you enjoy my videos. Enjoy your lights, I bet they do look fantastic!

@lowellirish

2 жыл бұрын

@@aklighting8292 I 100% agree that solar lights ...at least by today's standards are inferior and cheap...Mine have lasted 3-4 years, and are showing...with broken spikes, busted filaments... As a former RLA, I concur that if you have the $...it should be invested in pro lighting. You get what you pay for. In my case, $ was better used to buy shingles, and a new 😆 sliding door... So, compromises had to be made. I'm sure these lights will last 5-8 years, and by then, I'll upgrade. Your videos were very informative, and educational..I really liked them!

Landscape lighting is not brain surgery. Using more expensive lights like most things are always better if you can afford it. What kind of degrees do your so called professionals have. What makes them professional the fact that they charge money?

@aklighting8292

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Ronald, I think you missed the point. Using more expensive lights help a lot, but it's not the entire equation to making lighting look professional. I can get the same look from a $50 light as I can a $100 light because I know lighting. Yes a lot of professionals have a type of "degree" similar to trades like car mechanics, painter, wood worker, roofers, etc. We didn't go to a university to learn this, but that doesn't mean there isn't anything to learn because of that. I've been installing lighting for about 7 years now, and I'm still learning how to do things better. Hope that makes sense. If you need more specifics let me know.

Lol Plumber, electrician = skilled trades who worked and studied hard with an apprenticeship and met the exams and time for being licensed, etc. A master chef = culinary arts degree or years and years apprenticeship under other master chefs. Landscaper = any Tom, dick or hairy. Landscape Architect = 4 year program. Landscaper who's been putting up lights for years is exactly that. Same as a handy man who's been wiring home improvements for a year. If you've got a license or are degreed architectual lighting professional.. Then OK, call yourself a professional.