The following describes in detail the various steps in a typical lighting design project. In each we give you some tips and advice on how to make your project a success from the beginning.

1. Budgeting
Budgeting is an important component to tie into the overall scope of the project. A budget ballpark estimate for lighting and installation is 10% to 15% of the construction cost. For example, a $500,000 house would have a lighting budget in the range of $50,000 to $75,000. Of course, if a $20,000 chandelier is desired then the budget goes up.

2. Getting a Lighting Designer on the Team
It's a good idea to get the lighting designer in early on a project during the design process. This way we can better integrate the lighting into the architecture. Good lighting compliments the people, art, and architecture without drawing attention to itself.

3. Forming a Design Team
A new construction or remodel project is much more successful when all the design professionals are working together - the team approach to design maximizes everyone's special skills and talents. Ideas get tossed around and developed from many points of view, helping the pieces of the design puzzle to come together.

4. Creating the Furniture Layout
Once the architectural design is finalized, the next step is to create the furniture layout. As lighting designers, we need to know how each of the rooms will be used and what the traffic patterns will be. We don't need to know the style of the furniture, just an approximate size and location. For example, if there is a seating arrangement floating in front of the fireplace, then we can locate floor plugs that don't interfere with traffic patterns.

5. Reviewing Colors, Surfaces and Finishes
We like to see the colors, textures, and finishes of the walls, ceilings, counter tops, floors, and other surfaces. This helps to determine reflectance and absorption issues. Darker colored rooms require greater light levels than lighter colored rooms. Highly reflective surfaces like lacquered cabinetry and polished granite counter tops must be lit differently to avoid glare.

6. Specifying Lighting Components
We put together the specifications of all the architectural lighting components, such as recessed fixtures, closet lights, under-cabinet task lights, landscape lighting, switches, dimmers, etc. We then compile specification books that detail the manufacturers and catalogue numbers of all components, so that the bidding and installing electricians will know what to price and to order. We will develop a legend that keys the specifications to the lighting symbols used on the plans. Normally we don't specify decorative fixtures, as they usually come through the interior designer or the homeowners themselves. We are more than happy to share our vast library of lighting manufactures if requested.

7. Choosing Dimming Options
This is the stage in which you think about how you would like the lighting controlled, whether it's traditional switches and dimmers, a sophisticated smart house system, or a 4-scene preset dimming system with an interface that allows you to turn the lights in the main rooms on or off from various key locations. We can go over the options to see what meets your needs and your budget.

8. Coordination Between Trades
Keep all the players apprised of any changes that occur during the design and installation process. A simple alteration, like changing the swing of a door, can adversely effect the location of switches and dimmers.

9. Coordination of Drawings
It's important to keep the drawings up-to-date as changes occur. In the end you will have a plan that truly reflects how the project was completed. This is called an "as-built" plan, and will prove invaluable when it's time to remodel again or to put the house on the market.

10. Installation Administration
We will be available throughout the installation process to answer any questions that come up. Many times this can be done over the phone when both parties are looking at the drawings. If needed, we will also be available for site visits.

11. Final System Adjustment
When your project is completed and the art is on the walls, we will come to the site to do a final adjustment of the lighting system. We will also teach tyou how to adjust the system on your own. A good lighting system should be easy to run for any member of the family, guests, and even the people who come to clean.

12. Lighten Up!
Enjoy your new lighting in the comfort of your new or remodeled home!