Archive for lighting contractor

Where Do You Find a Reputable Exterior Lighting Contractor?

Finding a reputable exterior lighting contractor is not as easy as just opening up the phone book. When hiring an exterior lighting contractor, there are a few steps a homeowner should take. By taking these steps, you will be sure to have a reputable and qualified exterior lighting contractor to complete your home project.

Tips:

  1. Ask questions. Have the exterior lighting contractor come to your home. Never take a bid or ask questions over the phone. An exterior lighting contractor needs to actually see what type of areas in your outdoor space that you want lighting to be installed to offer advice and suggestions.
  2. Make sure the contractor is licensed in your state. Having a state license will let you know this contractor is serious about their trade and profession.
  3. The contractor should have proper insurance and provide proof of the insurance upon your request. This will keep you and your property safe from all accidents and responsibility.
  4. Get at least three different bids on your landscape lighting. This will allow you to see if all the contractors are close in price and different opinions that each contractor can give you. Don’t decide on a contractor due to price. The old saying, ”You get what you pay for” will be true with your lighting. The lowest price won’t always be the best work performed.
  5. Ask the contractor for references and call those references. If the references all tell you what a wonderful job the contractor has done for them, then this is a good sign.
  6. Ask the contractor about low-voltage lighting. Any landscape lighting expert will know exactly what this means, but if the contractor does not, then do not work with that contractor.
  7. You can ask your friends, family, and coworkers for their contractor. These people all know you and they will give you an honest review of a contractor. Usually, a great and honest contractor has performed work around your town.

There are reputable exterior lighting contractors available, but you have to do a bit of research to find one. You can’t just open your phone book and call the first name you see. If you want a reputable contractor, then you must make a few phone calls and spend a little of your time to find the best one for you.

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What are the Licensing Requirements for an Exterior Lighting Contractor?

Knowing the licensing requirements for an exterior lighting contractor will ensure you that the contractor is a professional and has met and obtained the licenses required to perform your projects.

The Licensing for Integrated Building Systems (IBS) explains that low-voltage work varies from state to state and sometimes from city to city. Even if your contractor has the IBS license, you should still check the city that you live in to see if the license applies to your city and if it covers the low-voltage work that is involved in many exterior lighting projects.

The following states do not require any state-wide, low-voltage licensing:

  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Mississippi
  • New Hampshire
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Wisconsin

These states have no statewide requirements, but may have some requirements based on the city:

  • Colorado
  • Indiana
  • Missouri
  • Pennsylvania

An exterior lighting contractor may possess certification, which is not to be confused with a license. A certification can be issued by a government agency according to the laws of that locality. It is used by an independent organization or exterior contractor that specializes in a particular specialty of work.

Homeowners can find their state listing by visiting www.neca-neis.org. This is the site that has the state licensing and the requirements. The national codes on legal licensing requirements are required by each state and locality. Licensing for exterior lighting contractor requires a specific number of years of hands-on experience. Many states also require contractors to renew their license with educational classes.

There are several states that distinguish between contractors and technicians, which can allow for different licenses for residential exterior lighting work and commercial exterior lighting work. However, the contractor is still responsible for meeting all state and locality licensing.

The requirements for an exterior lighting contractor will depend on your state and locality. All states and locality may require different requirements for contractors. The key to remember is to look for licensed contractors. Certified doesn’t mean the contractor is licensed, it only means the contractor has been certified by that state and locality. This can be confusing for homeowners, as many homeowners believe when they see ‘certified’ that the contractor has been trained and licensed, when it may not necessarily mean both. Get credentials and ask to see a contractor’s license before hiring any contractor.

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