When it comes to outdoor lighting, how your project is priced says a lot about the quality you’re getting. If you’re being quoted by the fixture, it might seem simple and affordable—but it’s often the start of a frustrating and expensive experience.
At NightOak Outdoor Lighting, we believe you deserve more than a box of lights and a flat rate. You deserve a fully custom-designed lighting system that enhances your home’s beauty, improves safety, and stands the test of time.
The Problem With Per-Fixture Pricing
Many landscape lighting companies offer a per-light or per-fixture price model. For example:
“10 lights at $350 per light = $3,500.”
It’s easy to understand. But here’s the issue: this approach treats your home like a generic template—not a unique canvas.
The Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) stresses the importance of custom design and tailored installation to avoid lighting imbalance and future system issues.
Not All Fixtures Are Created Equal
When you’re priced by fixture, the company usually isn’t accounting for quality. Many use off-the-shelf or budget fixtures that:
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Have limited or no warranties
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Use low-quality LEDs or poor optics
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Fade or corrode over time
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Cast harsh or uneven shadows
Compare this with FX Luminaire or Sterling Lighting, both known for high-quality outdoor fixtures engineered for performance and durability. These brands offer advanced optics, superior materials, and long-term warranties you won’t find at a big box store.
1 High-Performance Fixture Can Outshine 3 Cheap Ones
Here’s what many homeowners don’t realize: light output (lumens) matters more than the number of lights.
A single well-designed fixture from a reputable brand can have the beam spread, brightness, and lens clarity to outperform two or even three generic fixtures. For example, a high-output path light from Sterling Lighting can easily replace several weaker fixtures.
Don’t be misled by quantity. With outdoor lighting, it’s not about how many lights—it’s about the right light in the right place.
Poor Designs Leave You in the Dark (Literally)
Per-fixture pricing often leads to not enough light, or light in all the wrong places. A poorly designed system might leave you with:
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Dark gaps in high-traffic areas
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Fixtures too close together or too far apart
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Unwanted shadows on walls, plants, or structures
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Ineffective coverage around walkways, driveways, or patios
A well-executed lighting plan ensures optimal placement, beam angle, and coverage—something backed by industry experts like The International Landscape Lighting Institute (ILLI), which focuses on artistic and functional lighting design.
Are You Getting a Lighting Designer—Or Just a Crew?
Many companies send three guys with a shovel and a box of lights. No design, no plan, no expertise.
At NightOak Outdoor Lighting, we approach every project like an artist approaches a canvas—with intention and vision.
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We walk your property to understand focal points and flow
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We conduct a nighttime demo so you can see the effect before installation
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We use beam angle, color temperature, and spacing to create balance and elegance
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We install everything ourselves—no subcontractors and no guesswork
Connections Matter Just As Much as Fixtures
Behind every reliable lighting system is a hidden detail most companies overlook—the wiring and connections.
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Are they using gel-filled, waterproof wire connectors?
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Are wires properly rated for direct burial installations?
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Are junctions secured to prevent moisture intrusion?
Poor connections are the most common cause of system failure. At NightOak, we only use professional-grade, watertight connections that are proven to last in varying soil and moisture conditions.
What You’re Really Paying For
When you hire NightOak, you’re not paying for a number of lights—you’re investing in:
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A custom lighting design that enhances your home’s unique architecture and landscape
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Premium low-voltage fixtures with long warranties
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Secure, long-lasting wire connections
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A lighting system engineered to perform for years—not just a season
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Curb appeal, safety, and security that adds value to your home
We don’t race to the bottom. We build lighting systems that look incredible now—and continue to perform for years.
Final Thoughts—Choose Quality Over Quantity
The right lighting transforms your home at night. But only when it’s done right. Per-fixture pricing sounds simple, but it rarely delivers a truly stunning or reliable result.
If you’re comparing quotes, don’t just count the number of lights—ask about the lumens, beam angles, fixture quality, wiring methods, and design process.
Ready to See the Difference?
We’d love to show you—literally. Schedule your free nighttime demo and see how professional lighting design can transform your home.
Serving Midlothian, Richmond, Powhatan, Goochland, Chesterfield, Henrico, and nearby Virginia communities.
Call 804.277.9296 or visit nightoakoutdoorlighting.com
