Outdoor Lighting Installation

The 12-volt low-voltage systems installed by Fireflies Landscape Lighting represent the gold standard for residential outdoor lighting. The low-voltage architecture provides inherent safety advantages since the 12V operating voltage eliminates shock hazards, allows buried wire without conduit requirements, and enables homeowner-safe interaction with the system for basic adjustments. Our installations use only UL-listed transformers that convert standard 120V household current to 12V with high efficiency and minimal electromagnetic interference. Each transformer is sized with a twenty percent capacity buffer beyond the designed fixture load, providing headroom for future expansion and ensuring the unit operates well within its rated limits for maximum lifespan.

Wire installation quality is arguably the most important determinant of long-term system reliability, and it is the area where our methodology most significantly exceeds industry minimums. We specify and install only stranded copper direct-burial wire in 12-gauge or 10-gauge depending on circuit requirements. The hub-and-spoke wiring topology used in our installations connects each zone to a central hub near the transformer via a dedicated home run, rather than daisy-chaining fixtures in series. This architecture means that a single wire fault affects only one fixture rather than an entire string, dramatically simplifying troubleshooting and reducing the scope of any future repairs. Every wire run is mapped and documented in your system records for reference during maintenance or expansion.

Fixture mounting techniques employed during our installations are specifically engineered for the Carolina Piedmont's distinctive red clay soil. This dense, iron-rich clay expands significantly when wet and contracts when dry, creating seasonal ground movement that gradually shifts stakes and fixtures out of alignment. To combat this, we use extended-length composite mounting stakes that penetrate below the active clay layer into more stable substrate. For premium installations, we embed concrete collars around stake bases in areas subject to severe ground movement. Hardscape-mounted fixtures use stainless steel wedge anchors with silicone isolation gaskets that prevent galvanic corrosion between dissimilar metals. These techniques, developed through years of experience in local soil conditions, ensure fixtures maintain their precise alignment through seasonal cycles.

Our LED fixture specifications deliver consistent, beautiful illumination designed to last. We install fixtures from Unique Lighting Systems and other professional-grade manufacturers, constructed from cast brass, solid copper, or marine-grade aluminum. All fixtures carry minimum IP65 ratings for complete dust exclusion and protection against water jets from any direction, critical in a region that receives over 43 inches of annual rainfall with intense summer thunderstorms. LED modules are specified at 2700K warm white color temperature with color rendering index above 80, producing light that renders landscape colors naturally and creates the warm, inviting ambiance that distinguishes professional installations from the harsh, bluish light common in retail-grade systems.

Voltage management across the installed system ensures every fixture operates at its optimal voltage for consistent brightness and maximum LED lifespan. We verify voltage at each fixture location using a professional multimeter during installation, confirming that delivered voltage falls within the 10.8V to 12.0V range specified by fixture manufacturers. Any fixture reading below this range triggers an immediate evaluation of the wire run, with corrections made before the installation proceeds. This fixture-by-fixture voltage verification is time-intensive but absolutely essential for a system that looks uniformly beautiful from the first night and continues performing consistently for years.

How long does a typical landscape lighting installation take?

Installation duration depends on the size and complexity of the project. A focused front-facade system with twelve to fifteen fixtures is typically completed in a single day. Comprehensive whole-property systems with thirty to fifty fixtures usually require two to three days. Very large estate installations with sixty or more fixtures may take four to five days. Our designer provides a specific timeline estimate during the proposal phase so you can plan accordingly. We work efficiently but never rush quality.

Will the installation damage my lawn or landscaping?

We take extraordinary care to minimize disruption to your property. Wire trenches are cut using narrow-blade trenching tools that create minimal surface disturbance. All trenches are carefully backfilled, tamped, and dressed to match existing conditions. Turf areas typically show the trench lines for one to three weeks before the grass fills in completely. We protect driveways and walkways from equipment marks, work around existing plantings with care, and leave your property cleaner than we found it.

What warranty comes with the installation?

Every Fireflies installation includes our comprehensive warranty package. Fixture manufacturers provide ten to fifteen year warranties on housings and LED components. We add our own lifetime warranty on all installation workmanship, covering wire connections, fixture mounting, transformer installation, and control system setup for as long as you own the property. If any element of our workmanship fails, we repair or replace it at no cost. This warranty reflects our confidence in the quality of our installation methods and materials.

Do I need to be home during the installation?

You do not need to be present during the daytime installation phases, though you are welcome to observe. We do request that you or another decision-maker be available for the nighttime aiming and adjustment walkthrough, as this is when final beam angles are set and you approve the finished look of the system. If you cannot be present for the entire nighttime walkthrough, we can photograph the results and make adjustments at a brief follow-up visit.

How deep are the wires buried?

We bury all wire at a minimum depth of six inches in landscape beds and eight inches under turf areas. These depths exceed standard industry minimums and provide superior protection against accidental damage from landscape maintenance activities such as edging, cultivation, and shallow root removal. In areas where we identify potential conflict with routine digging or heavy foot traffic, we may increase depth further or add protective wire loom.

What type of wire and connectors do you use?

We exclusively use stranded copper direct-burial wire in 12-gauge or 10-gauge, depending on the circuit requirements calculated during the design phase. All connections are made with professional-grade waterproof connectors specifically designed for direct burial in soil. We do not use gel-filled wire nuts, crimp connectors, or other consumer-grade products that deteriorate within a few years in the moisture-rich Carolina red clay environment. Our connectors create permanent, corrosion-resistant joints rated for decades of service.

Will the installation require any electrical work inside my home?

In most cases, no interior electrical work is required. Our 12-volt low-voltage systems plug into existing exterior GFCI outlets. If your home does not have a conveniently located exterior outlet near the optimal transformer position, we may recommend having a licensed electrician add one. We can coordinate this with a trusted electrician if needed. The transformer itself is an outdoor-rated unit that mounts to an exterior wall, post, or concealed location.

What happens if it rains during my scheduled installation?

Light rain does not stop our installations, as low-voltage work is safe in wet conditions and our waterproof connection methods perform identically in dry or wet environments. Heavy rain or severe thunderstorms may require rescheduling specific phases of the work, particularly trenching in saturated clay soil, which can cause excessive lawn disruption. If weather forces a delay, we communicate promptly and reschedule as soon as conditions allow, typically within one to two days.

Can you install lighting on mature trees without damaging them?

Yes. We use non-invasive tree mounting hardware specifically designed for landscape lighting applications. Our brackets clamp around branches or trunks without penetrating the bark, and they include expansion allowances that accommodate tree growth over time. For canopy uplighting, we position ground-mounted fixtures at the base of trees aimed upward, which requires no contact with the tree at all. Our installation methods are safe for all tree species common to the Charlotte area, including oaks, maples, crepe myrtles, and pines.

Do you handle the cleanup after installation?

Absolutely. A thorough cleanup is standard on every Fireflies installation. We backfill and dress all trenches, replace displaced mulch and ground cover, remove all packaging and debris, and leave your property in clean, presentable condition. We conduct a final daytime walkthrough specifically to verify cleanup quality before beginning the nighttime aiming session. Our reputation depends on leaving your property looking beautiful both during the day and at night.

How soon after installation can I use the system?

Your lighting system is fully operational immediately upon completion of the installation and nighttime aiming session. We program the timer or photocell control during installation so the system activates automatically that same evening. There is no curing, drying, or break-in period required. The system you see during the nighttime walkthrough is exactly what you will enjoy every night going forward.

What if I want to add more fixtures later?

Every Fireflies installation is designed with future expansion in mind. We size transformers with capacity beyond the initial fixture load, install hub connections at strategic locations for easy zone additions, and document all wire routing for future reference. Adding fixtures to an existing Fireflies-installed system is straightforward and cost-effective because the infrastructure is already in place. Simply call us at (803) 889-0096 to schedule a consultation for the expansion.