January 2026 Contractor of the Month is: Iron City Lighting

Can you tell us about your business?

Iron City Lighting focuses on custom outdoor and landscape lighting. Our goal is to make homes look great at night while also improving safety and usability. Every project is designed specifically for the property—we’re big on clean, layered lighting that feels natural and not overdone.

How did you get into the landscape lighting business?

I got into landscape lighting because I liked the mix of creativity and hands-on work. With a Bachelor's Degree in Art/Graphic Design, working with light felt like a natural way to create mood and impact. Once I saw how dramatically good lighting could elevate a space—and how excited homeowners were to see their property lit the right way—I was hooked. It’s one of those crafts where the results truly speak for themselves.

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

Landscape lighting makes up all of what we do. We also handle system repairs, upgrades, and improvements to existing lighting, but our main focus is custom outdoor lighting design and installation.

How long have you been installing landscape lighting?

I’ve been installing landscape lighting for five years now, working on everything from small front-yard projects to full front-and-backyard systems.

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

AMP products have been really solid for us. I especially like their uplights for trees and architecture and hardscape lights for outdoor kitchens, walls, pergolas etc. — they look clean, hold up well, and give us a lot of flexibility in the design.

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

Placement is everything. You don’t need a ton of fixtures — just the right ones in the right spots. Paying attention to beam spreads, glare, and making adjustments at night makes a huge difference in how natural the lighting looks.

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…

Most of our work comes from referrals, social media, and people seeing our lighting in person. We keep the sales process simple and low pressure. We walk the property, talk through ideas, and often do a nighttime demo as well as visual mockups so homeowners can actually see what the lighting will look like before moving forward.

Where do you find inspiration for your lighting designs?

I find inspiration everywhere — by paying attention to how light is used in different applications. Architecture, interior spaces, art, outdoor environments, and even natural light patterns all influence how I think about outdoor lighting. Seeing how light creates mood, depth, and movement in so many settings helps me translate those ideas into landscape designs that feel intentional, balanced, and unique to each space.

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

The first night when everything turns on and the homeowner sees it for the first time. That reaction never gets old. It’s great knowing they’ll get to enjoy their home in a whole new way every night.

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

I enjoy renting my herd of goats out to help clear land — it’s a fun, effective way to help homeowners take back overwhelming yards and turn them into manageable, enjoyable spaces. I also rent the goats for birthdays, events, and photo sessions, so there’s always something exciting for them to be part of! The business is called Joyful Goat Rentals and we service the Birmingham, Alabama area.