TierramadreLandscape.com

I have installed landscape lighting in the past (done it twice). However I didn't get teh results I was looking for and fixtures started to corrode after about 2 years. What is needed to get brighter output from landscape lighting? Also what brands do professionals use?

I've done electrical work 27 years. I won't install that low voltage crap they sell at Home Depot and Lowes. As you found out, it doesn't last and doesn't work well when it is new. I try to use Kim Lighting products when I can. They are a tad pricey but they last for years.

2009-08-21 12:27:47 by gr1ffinb

Nightscapers entered into the LED business touting quot;Kichler as the only viable solutionquot;. The primary benefits to customers include less ...

We are thinking of adding a water feature as well as other professional landscaping and lighting.

Landscaping can add anything from 10 to 30% to the value of a home. A home with landscaping will always be more appealing than a house without. This may be important if you want to sell at some stage if the market is down it may be the difference between selling and not selling your home. Note that the leafy suburbs with the gardens usually are the most expensive suburbs.

I would be careful about the water feature, don't overcapitalise, and make sure it is in style with your house. At the moment in Australia most new houses and gardens are getting water features, its considered a must for up market homes. Funny though we haven't been carried away by mosquito's!

It's amazing how many people will buy a house because it looks nice and really not even consider the upkeep and maintenance. I do agree that the bathroom and kitchen are very important as well but if they don't get out of the car because they don't like the outside appearance your still not going to be get a sale.

Also something to consider today is that people don't seem to like to do much themselves, if everything inside and out is finished and looking good they seem to be happy to pay more for it.

2006-10-09 16:11:14 by sarahjane1973

I've tried the poor quality landscape lighting fixtures at Home Depot and Lowes. When I look online for qualily outdoor lighting fixtures they are around $80 each. Isn't there a quality product above Home Depot but below $80-$100. Looking for solid brass or copper fixtures that will last -- similar to what professionals use. Thanks!

I am sorry you joined the multitude people who found out the hard way that the hardware store lights are poor quality. Professional quality fixtures start at prices around $50.00 . There are many brands that I use and design into projects. Hadco, Rockscapes, Nightscaping, and even some Intermatic pro line. I never stick with just one brand for any design. Each brand has at least one fantastic fixture, then other fixtures that are good and some fixture not worth buying. So depending on the exact fixture that you want i.e. path light, spot light, sconce, etc. I cannot recommend a specific brand. You need to find a professional lighting store where you live and they will probably have what you need. Below are links to the fixtures that professionals use, not just similar to what we use. I hope this helps you and feel free to email for specific fixture recommendations.

2009-01-06 08:22:52 by gr1ffinb

n Contract,

Is it two month for planting?

one year for irrigation?

how about hardscape? lighting? drainage?

Please no answer if you are not landscape professionals.

It depends on what type of contract you signed.. and if the business is indeed a licensed contractor. If they are not, and are just designers - there is no warranty. If they are - then it's one year for everything from the finish date of the project. Although - irrigation needs constant updating with set times, etc. So that is all you.

2008-06-14 09:06:55 by s c

I am a graphic designer in the US who is getting her first big break with a major company in France. I can't keep using our dinky walmart digital, anymore.

I will be using the camera to photograph large pedal harps (about a foot taller than the average human) also, will be doing macro shots in low, dramatic lighting. I will also use the camera for the photography that I sell - mostly outdoor or landscape photography.

I need a versitile camera that is manual/digital. I was looking at the Nikon D200, but it is out of my budget. Is the D80 suffient for professional use?

This will be my first professional camera, other than the manuals that I own. This job both creates the need and the means for a camera of this type, however I cannot purchase a $2,000 camera at this time. So I am just now researching. Any help would be much appreciated.

I own a Nikon D80 and yes I believe without hesitation that this camera will suit you for starters. When I was considering my purchase I looked extensively around various forums to see what problems people might be having. It was then I discovered that most of the D80s mentioned were in fact in professional use.

The D200 is a better camera but the D80 will get you going and most D80 accessories will be reusable on the D200. The D200 has a metal body with the D80 being plastic. Having said that the D80 is not a cheap feeling camera by any means. The D200 has 5 fps over the D80's 3, but it doesn't sound like the frame rate is going to bother you. The D200 will most likely last longer with more shutter activations before failure etc. My D80 is only around the 5500 shutter activations now but there has never been a hint of a problem. My research indicated the only consistent fault with the D80 was battery lockup in very cold weather. This is a normal feature of Lion batteries though, not really a fault of the camera. Mine has a few dead pixels but not enough to have ever shown on a photo. The last problem was some "Amp glow" which mine does have but to find it required a shot that was all black. Although the problem exists this is not as bad as other cameras on the market.

My bet is that you will be happy with a D80 and it will certainly get you started!

2007-08-08 11:02:41 by Becs