July 2025 Contractor of the Month is: Light Guys, LLC

Can you tell us about your business?

Light Guys LLC is a dedicated outdoor lighting company founded by myself, Caleb Calhoun, and my business partner Ross Price. We specialize exclusively in exterior low-voltage lighting design and installation. Our mission is to deliver expert lighting solutions through a refined customer experience and a focused brand that exists solely to provide exceptional lighting services.

How did you get into the landscape lighting business?

Ross and I started in the home services marketing space, where we worked with a landscape lighting company. We quickly noticed that lighting was often treated as a secondary service—something tacked on to landscaping or irrigation. We saw an opportunity to do things differently by building a company that focused only on lighting. We left marketing behind and launched Light Guys LLC to provide lighting as a standalone service with specialized attention and expert execution.

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

100% of our business is focused on landscape and architectural lighting. We don’t offer landscaping, irrigation, electrical work, or other home services. Our entire model is built around being lighting specialists—it’s all we do, and we do it well.

How long have you been installing landscape lighting?

We officially launched Light Guys LLC on May 1st of this year. While we’re a newer business, we’ve already completed 22 installs in less than 90 days. That early traction reflects both the demand we identified and our commitment to delivering high-quality, specialized lighting solutions from day one.

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

We’re big fans of the PinnaclePro—it’s our go-to workhorse for uplighting. The craftsmanship and engineering behind this fixture really stand out. When paired with the adjustable beam angle lamp, it allows us to create refined, high-impact lighting effects with precision. Next in line are in-grade well lights. These are our second most-used fixtures, perfect for producing subtle, elegant glows in areas where above-ground fixtures aren’t practical or desired. Rounding out our top three is the stemless path light—a truly underrated fixture. Its low-profile, versatile design makes it perfect for creating beautiful effects, especially on lakefront properties. We’ve used it to create a maritime-style beacon with stunning reflections off the water, and the results are always striking.

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

One of the biggest time-savers for us has been templatizing our design process. We use a few different design programs to create renderings, but the real benefit comes from building a repeatable system. You don’t have to be a design or tech expert—as long as you create a consistent process, it becomes easier to improve and scale over time. From a design standpoint, here’s my core tip: If you want the $20K jobs, be the $20K company. Take the extra time to build high-quality presentations, detailed renderings, and professional proposals. First impressions matter. When clients see that level of intentionality and polish before they’ve paid you, it builds trust and sets expectations that the final product will meet—or exceed—that standard. That mindset has helped us stand out and win jobs that might otherwise go to more established companies.

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…

Our entire sales process is built around paid advertising—primarily on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. I firmly believe that mastering digital advertising can 10x your launchpad, especially when you’re trying to break into a competitive space. Here’s the typical customer journey we aim to capture: A homeowner sees their neighbor’s beautifully lit home and starts searching online—“How do I make my house look like that at night?” They’ll likely find lighting product sites like Volt, maybe browse options, see prices, but not fully understand what they’re looking at. They might even search for local lighting companies—but distractions or indecision often get in the way. That’s where we come in. While they’re scrolling Facebook or Instagram later, we hit them with a compelling ad: “See these lights on your home—for free.” That ad stops the scroll. It’s simple, visual, and actionable. When they click it, they’re prompted to schedule a nighttime preview—a free on-site lighting demo. That lead form collects their name, number, and address. Once we receive it, we call to schedule the next step. From there, the process goes one of two ways: ● Option 1: Consultation First If the lead seems ready to discuss ideas, we start with a walkthrough of the property, listen to their vision, offer input, and schedule a second visit. On that follow-up, we return with a full design proposal—and our goal is to secure the project before we leave. ● Option 2: Demo First If they’re more visual or unsure, we set up a demo during the day, then return at dusk to walk the property with the lights on. We review the effect together, present a proposal on-site, and close the deal right there. Once the proposal is accepted, we place the order with AMP and schedule the install. This system lets us stand out from the typical “get a quote” model. We lead with value, experience, and convenience, making it easy for homeowners to say yes—especially when we’re up against more established competitors.

Where do you find inspiration for your lighting designs?

I draw inspiration from past projects and from being part of professional lighting communities on social media. Seeing how others approach different architectural features or landscapes helps spark new ideas and keeps my creativity sharp. And when I hit a wall or need a second opinion, I don’t hesitate to reach out to AMP. Their team has been a great resource for helping me work through design challenges and find the right solutions. They’ve been a solid partner in our growth.

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

The realization that it’s not really about the lights—it’s about the feeling the client experiences. I’ll share a quick story. We did a demo once for a sweet lady who told us the reason she wanted lighting was to illuminate her flower beds. She shared how gardening had helped her through some tough patches in life. When we turned on the lights, she wept—not because of the perfectly placed Magnum Pros we had scattered around, but because she saw her escape, her hard work, and the challenges she had overcome—all washed in a warm glow. It was a powerful moment and a reminder that what we’re really creating is a feeling. The lights are just the tool.

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

I’m a husband to a beautiful woman and a proud dad to a sweet 3-year-old little girl. Outside of work, I love spending time with my family—traveling, making memories, and just being present with them. They’re my biggest motivation and the reason I push so hard to grow personally and professionally.