August 2025 Contractor of the Month is: Envision Outdoor Lighting

Can you tell us about your business?

We're a husband-and-wife owned business specializing in professional low voltage lighting, providing a personal, professional, and proudly local experience. We’ve kept things intentionally small and personal. When you work with us, you always deal directly with one of the owners—from the first phone call to the final walkthrough. No sales reps or call centers. No confusion. Just quality work, clear communication, and lighting done the right way.

How did you get into the landscape lighting business?

Years ago, while working for a customer with our other business, they asked if we could help install his low voltage lines. We said yes—and a lightbulb went off. One project led to another, and over time, our passion for clean, professional lighting installations grew into its own dedicated business. From the start, we noticed a common problem: wires left exposed, corners cut, and outdoor lighting that just didn’t last. We knew there had to be a better way—so we built a company focused on proper installations, lasting results, and honest service.

What percentage of your business is landscape lighting/what other services do you provide (ie: landscaping, irrigation, electrical…)?

What started off as side jobs to our other business, grew into its own company. We now focus solely on Landscape Lighting.

How long have you been installing landscape lighting?

We have been installing systems for over 10 years, but in July 2023 we dedicated 100% of our business to landscape lighting.

What AMP products do you prefer to use? Which fixtures are your favorite?

We’re selective about the fixtures we use—and only install products we believe in which is why AMP Pro is our go-to line. A few of the fixtures are a common choice: ● Pinnacle Pro Spot Light – A staple in every install. Reliable, stylish, and built to last. ● Conica Pro Path Light – The most popular path light choice in our region. ● Eco Pro Spot Lights – A favorite for smaller projects and tighter budgets. We never turn down a small job, and the Eco Pro helps us deliver quality without compromise.

What tips or tricks have you learned that have benefited your work from a design/installation perspective?

When it comes to installation, we’ve streamlined the process by building many of our own tools. Over the years, we’ve also learned the importance of always performing voltage drop calculations and using the correct wire gauge. And we always think ahead—because nearly every customer ends up wanting to expand their system down the line.

Tell me about your sales process. How do you find your customers? What is your sales process? Do you use sales tools such as a free demo…

When it comes to finding customers, we benefit from a loyal client base from our other business, which has been a great source of leads and referrals. We’re also exploring social media more actively to generate inexpensive or even free leads. Additionally, we continue to use Google Pay-Per-Click ads to support our outreach. Regarding the sales process, we conduct onsite evaluations and walkthroughs. We bring a personalized sample display that allows potential customers to see and feel the products firsthand, which is a huge advantage in helping them understand what they’re purchasing. For each estimate, we create customized booklets or folders featuring photos of our previous work, the products we offer, and a personalized message tailored to the client. We recognize how valuable free demos are in closing sales, especially for larger projects, and we plan to increase our use of demos significantly over the next year.

Where do you find inspiration for your lighting designs?

Driving around at night to see different properties has been invaluable—observing what others did right and where they went wrong. After completing jobs, I like to experiment with fixtures and play around with different angles to improve the final look. Online social media groups have also been a huge help, offering tons of great information and a community of people willing to share their ideas. This combination of practical experience and shared knowledge has really shaped how I approach new projects. Now, when I walk into a property, I already have a sense of where shadows will fall and potential trouble spots, even before speaking with the customer. That way, I can create a thoughtful, tailored design right from the start.

What do you feel is the most personally rewarding part of installing a lighting system for a client?

Like many others probably say, the most rewarding moment is seeing the look on a customer’s face when they see the finished project for the first time. We often take them out to the street for a ‘before and after’ reveal when it’s dark, so we can all experience it together. That initial reaction is priceless. Even after some time has passed, the most rewarding part is when a customer reaches out to tell me they came home and love seeing their lights—that ongoing appreciation really means a lot and makes the job truly fulfilling.

Tell us a little bit about you personally: What do you like to do outside of work? What are your hobbies?

I have a lovely wife and two children. Most of my free time is spent with them. Otherwise, I’m basically tinkering around the house doing home projects or on the off chance I have spare time, I like to fish!