What this category covers
Landscape lighting and irrigation design blends two trades that usually get bundled together because they both run wiring or piping underground and both depend on knowing a property's grading, soil, and plant zones before anything goes in the ground. On the lighting side, that means path lights, uplighting on trees and facades, step lights, and low-voltage transformers wired to work together instead of as scattered fixtures. On the irrigation side, it's zoned sprinkler systems, drip lines for beds, rain sensors, and controllers that adjust for Charlotte's clay soil and its swing between summer drought and heavy spring rain.
The 11 businesses in this category range from firms that design and install both systems together to specialists who focus on one. Some also handle ongoing service: seasonal startups and winterization, controller reprogramming, and fixture repair after storms or lawn work damages a line.
What to look for
Ask whether they design a zoned system specific to your yard's sun exposure and soil, or install a generic layout. Check if they pull permits where required, use brass or copper fixtures rated for direct burial rather than cheap plastic, and back up the work with a warranty on both parts and labor. A good design should also account for future landscape changes, like tree growth blocking a light or new beds needing a drip line added later.
Our ranked guide to Charlotte's best lighting and irrigation designers scores each of these 11 companies on factors like project quality, responsiveness, and how they handle warranty or repair calls, using the process explained on our methodology page.
