In a recent episode of the Kid Contractor Podcast we discussed a common mistake contractors make when presenting and pricing lighting packages. John Kerzelis of Green Foundry Co emphasized that charging per fixture is a big no-no that puts contractors at a disadvantage.

Charging per fixture doesn't account for the different levels of labor and difficulty associated with installing various lighting types. A low-voltage path light installed in a garden bed takes much less effort than a fixture requiring core drilling or mounting high off the ground. It also doesn't allow for customizing a system based on a homeowner's specific needs and property.

Instead, John recommends taking a more holistic approach by considering lighting design, types of fixtures used, and installation challenges posed by the project site. Factors like access, elevation changes, base material conditions, and more need to be part of the pricing calculation. This approach gives contractors...