--- title: Hidden difficulties of DIY --- ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/logo.svg) How to Discourage DIYers — Walk Them through the Challenges Ahead How to Discourage DIYers — Walk Them through the Challenges Ahead Some homeowners may wonder if they can pull off a landscape lighting job themselves without the help of a professional. Perhaps they can save themselves some money. But they may have doubts, so they call in a contractor for an estimate. This is your chance to save them a lot of time and money – and headaches too. They probably have no idea what they are proposing to undertake. One way to help them foresee the difficulties of the DIY approach is to take them step by step through the process. You can use the graphic below, gently alerting them to the complexity of a landscape lighting project and some of the issues they may encounter. This may be enough to discourage them – and save them from an unpleasant experience. HELP DIYERS RECONSIDER – REVIEW THESE CHALLENGES, STEP BY STEP The following is available as a downloadable graphic that you can print out and walk your customer through. These are all points that you know very well, but you customers probably do not. It is written with them in mind. [GET THE GRAPHIC  →](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/Files/kich16156-5_DIYDifficultiesSheet_V04LO_20190613.pdf) ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/A%20-%203%20-%20Hidden%20difficulties%20of%20DIY/hidden-diy-image-1.svg) Design Planning a design without professional help can lead to two types of issues. One concerns aesthetics. Pros have experience creating the right effects, and knowledge of complex issues like correlated color temperature (CCT). The second concerns technical issues – knowing how to plan wiring runs so they are not overloaded, creating zones, and ensuring codes are followed. ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/A%20-%203%20-%20Hidden%20difficulties%20of%20DIY/hidden-diy-image-2.svg) Components There are many types of landscape fixtures – accent lights, wall wash lights, well lights and in-ground lights, among others, and each comes in different levels of brightness, beam spreads and color temperatures. Are you prepared to buy and return fixtures until you get the effect you are looking for? ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/A%20-%203%20-%20Hidden%20difficulties%20of%20DIY/hidden-diy-image-3.svg) Tools Now it’s time to get the wires at least 6 inches below ground. Professionals have a trencher, which leaves very minimal damage to the turf. Are you planning to dig the trenches by hand or rent equipment? How about getting underneath sidewalks? That requires another special tool – a Sidewalk Sleever. ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/A%20-%203%20-%20Hidden%20difficulties%20of%20DIY/hidden-diy-image-1.jpg) ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/A%20-%203%20-%20Hidden%20difficulties%20of%20DIY/hidden-diy-image-2.jpg) ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/A%20-%203%20-%20Hidden%20difficulties%20of%20DIY/hidden-diy-image-4.svg) Labor ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/A%20-%203%20-%20Hidden%20difficulties%20of%20DIY/hidden-diy-image-3.jpg) A professional can install many landscape lighting projects in a day or two. But an amateur may need a half day or more just to locate and install the transformer. Then comes the digging and the installing of wire, which could take another two or three days. Are you OK with your yard being in disarray for this period of time? Also, how much is your time worth? ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/A%20-%203%20-%20Hidden%20difficulties%20of%20DIY/hidden-diy-image-5.svg) Troubleshooting You will want to test your lights before you bury the wire. If some lights are blinking, you may not have enough voltage or you could be getting power fluctuations or surges. Time to get your voltage meter out. Another set of problems may surface later after the lines are buried and a connection fails.   A Pro Is the Way to Go You can avoid all of these potential difficulties and uncertainties. Go with a Kichler Lighting pro. You will get a professional design with an elegant balance of light and shadow and an efficient installation process lasting only a few days. Your home will look beautiful for years. If there are ever any problems, you will have a professional to call. ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/A%20-%203%20-%20Hidden%20difficulties%20of%20DIY/hidden-diy-image-6.svg)   The above graphic is available as a downloadable PDF that you can share with your customer. [get the graphic   →](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/Files/kich16156-5_DIYDifficultiesSheet_V04LO_20190613.pdf) ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/CTAs/GetFreeLayouts-IMAGE.jpg) Free professional layouts from Kichler Lighting will lead to more business for you. [![GET FREE LAYOUTS](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2731477/4ef1e884-3dee-47e6-ade7-6cb5f60bb696.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2731477/4ef1e884-3dee-47e6-ade7-6cb5f60bb696)   ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/CTAs/CTA-EleComp-Image.jpg) How to properly size and organize your electrical components. [![SIZE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2731477/406cea0e-bed4-4de1-a304-d50e220734d2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2731477/406cea0e-bed4-4de1-a304-d50e220734d2) ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/logo.svg) ©2019 Kichler Lighting LLC. All Rights Reserved ![](https://info.kichler.com/hubfs/Images/LPR%20Campaign/sign-up-1.png) CONTINUE READING THIS ARTICLE Receive other articles and emails through Kichler Lighting’s LightPro™ Rewards program. By submitting this form, you are opting to receive emails from Kichler Lighting. [See privacy policy.](https://www.kichler.com/legal/privacy-policy/)