How's your lighting situation? Now that it's getting darker earlier and earlier every day, it's an excellent time to consider outdoor lighting options. This blog goes over the benefits and opportunities for your property.

Before we review the dos, let's look at one don't. It's hard to miss outdoor solar-powered lights; just about every store has them on the shelves and endcaps. The photos on the box look nice, but what happens when you set them up?

They do give off light, but probably not as much as you thought when you bought them. And to make matters worse, the solar panels don't last very long.

Hardwire lighting is the way to go. It doesn't only look great; it provides a security benefit. While your lights showcase your home, they also do the exact opposite to any ne'er-do-wells looking to break in. Well-lit homes are like kryptonite to burglars; these bad guys are like other forms of scum; they like to operate in the dark. According to FBI reports, there's a burglary every 18 seconds in the United States, and the average property loss per break-in is more than $2,200!

Safety is another reason to add lighting to your home. You know your property well, but a little light on your paths will make it safe for you and your guests to get around. No one wants to trip over a rock they couldn't see in the dark.

Outdoor lighting is one thing you can do yourself, but it's best to leave it to the pros. When setting up a lighting system, there are many things to remember. Besides the fun stuff like coming up with a design plan, it's essential to know details on your electrical system, the bulbs you want to use, the fixtures, and the wiring, and these are only a few of the factors that go into outdoor lighting.

We would love to discuss an outdoor lighting plan with you. Our crews have the training to put light exactly where you want it. Some new products on the market will make your home the envy of the neighborhood; we're talking about lights that you can change color with a tap on a screen and timers that are easy to use as your microwave.

Contact us to help make that vision of your property basking in light a reality.