As you’re putting the final touches on your new home, you realize you’ve left the outdoors to do its own thing. You’ve always pictured cozy backyard karaoke sessions with the gang while roasting marshmallows on a cold winter night.
Maybe you want to host a jam-packed get-together and show off your BBQ skills. Whatever the occasion may be, the venue needs to look just right.
Even in how you envisioned your backyard, we bet it has great lighting. But now that you’re almost done with setting up your home, the bills most likely look insane. And lighting can add to that even more.
So, if you’re wondering whether to hire a pro or DIY your outdoor lighting, this guide is for you!
Your Home, Your Lights, DIY!
You’ve decided to take it upon yourself to do it yourself! That’s awesome; more power to you. DIY-ing is mostly compelling because of all the money it saves you. Because let’s face it, you’ve probably made this decision by looking at the invoices for lighting indoors. It’s not cheap by any means!
When you’re DIY-ing your lighting setup outdoors, all you need to spend money on is purchasing the materials and investing a good amount of time and energy. No handymen are harping on you to buy the most expensive fixtures and of course, avoiding labor costs.
DIY-ing your outdoor lighting also means you get to create a truly customized and personalized design that fits your home vibes and aesthetics. You’re choosing the lights you think look best and again, you don’t need to get handymen to see your vision.
Also, DIY-ing lights means you’re preparing for a lengthy and laborious project. You’re committed to finishing it and making your home look best with the lights you chose, and you’re learning so much about so much!
From light placement to using the correct tools to learning about your strengths, it’s an educational experience, to say the least. And the rewards? You have a very cool-looking outdoor area!
DIY-Dooms
Now like all things, DIY-ing lights outdoors can also introduce some disadvantages for you. The first being, not expecting how much time it could take. Your project may look easier than you think and as you start, you realize it will probably take longer than anticipated. Especially, if this is your first time working with lights.
You may be a lot of things, but in this case, you are not a Boston or Naples electrician, and this project will remind you of your lack of expertise every step of the way.
In the end, you may have trouble getting the polished look that you wanted or in worst cases, struggle to ensure proper functioning of the lights.
This is in our opinion, the most serious drawback you should look out for. When working with anything that concerns electricity, it is best to hang up your DIY hat. Even if it’s just for mere outdoor lighting, a small mistake can cause dangerous accidents, from electrical shocks to fire hazards.
Why Let The Pros Do Their Job?
There’s a reason why they say, “Leave it to the pros.” A professional electrician will have a wide range of knowledge about everything lighting, from design to electrical safety and efficient installation techniques. They know what to do, and you want someone who KNOWS what they’re doing!
If you thought DIY was the only way to blend your aesthetic and vibes into your home, you thought wrong. Communicating with the pros who have experience in tailoring lighting plans will help suit your home’s style and landscaping. And you’ll also get ideas for design elements you probably did not think of before!
This is an overlooked aspect of hiring professionals, but it often comes with warranties on the installation and materials used, along with the assurance that everything is installed safely and up to code. You’ll be rest assured every little fixture is working the right way!
Pain-Points of Pros
The number one drawback of hiring pros for outdoor lighting is higher costs. If you use pros to take care of your lighting indoors, you already know how fast the costs can rack up.
While pros will bounce ideas off of you and consult you on the design, you will still have limited creative control. You’re most likely not going to have hands-on input as you would if you did it yourself.
Hiring pros isn’t all that easy; you’ll need to find one! Depending on their availability, you might have to wait for a pro to fit your project into their schedule. Based on your location, you may be on that waitlist for a while.
Factors to Consider When Making Your Decisions
To make your decision-making much easier, here is a list of factors you should take into consideration when choosing between DIY-ing and hiring professionals to do your lighting outdoors.
- If your lighting project is simple, like if you’re just adding solar garden lights or pathway lights, DIY is a good idea. More complex installations with wiring or multiple lighting zones may require professional help.
- Ask yourself if you have room in your budget for professional fees? If you’re working with limited cash, DIY is for you. Just be mindful of potential mistakes that may end up costing you more in the long run.
- How much time do you have to commit to the project? If you’re short on time or not confident in your skills, a professional can get the job done faster and more efficiently.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to DIY or hire a professional for your outdoor lighting depends on how comfortable you are with electrical work, your budget, and the difficulty level of the project. If you’re confident in your skills and have the time, DIY can be fulfilling and cost-effective.
But, if you want a flawless, safe installation with less hassle, hiring a professional is the best choice for you.