Welcome!

ABOUT US

Avalon Artistic Landscape Lighting was established in 1999 and began its operations in the city of Roseville, California. We were the first full-service and design-oriented company to introduce this specialty trade to the Sacramento valley and foothill regions of Northern California. To date, we are the only Northern California low voltage landscape lighting company to be nationally recognized and certified to perform these kinds of installations.

We are proud members of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) and have been involved with them since 2002. We are committed to following their “Standards for Installation” techniques and we hold the Certified Low Voltage Lighting Technician (CLVLT) designation, #0631. Currently, Mark Carlson is the Design Certification Committee Chairman for 2007. During 2005 and 2006, Mark served as the Legislative Committee Chairman. We feel it is extremely important to be involved within the lighting industry, so that we may help direct the future of landscape lighting.

Avalon is also in alliance with the International Darksky Association (IDA) and their recommendations for lighting practices. These practices are in effect to aid in the protection of our night sky environment, which include light trespass measures and glare protection. By employing proper light fixtures and using minimal wattage levels, we can better help to preserve these efforts. As part of our effort to reduce the amount of light in the night sky, we try to utilize more down-lighting from structures and trees. There are very few contractors using this technique because of the level of difficulty and the increased labor it requires for proper installation.

As with any specialty trade, the work we perform is creative in nature and unique to each property. We take much joy in pleasing each and every client, as our passion for lighting design is shown in this “art form”.

Avalon lighting is a service-driven business where we take personal interest in each and every job. We believe in building long-lasting, positive relationships. It is very important to us that we follow one of our most important core values, which mirrors that of the biblical verse in Luke 6:31—“Do to others as you would have them do to you”.

Meet the Owner

My name is Mark Carlson and I am the original founder and President of Avalon Artistic Landscape Lighting. This brief introduction serves only to give testimony of my intentions as a business owner and fellow community member. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge that I have been both blessed and gifted by God with my abilities to create with light. As a believer, I allow my faith to lead me through all business endeavors. I am very fortunate to have the abilities to visualize, evoke emotions, and understand people’s needs.

I started my career in the mid-1980’s by working for three different landscape architectural firms in Southern California. I transitioned over to the construction-side of the business by performing landscape installations, to include low voltage lighting systems. In 1992, I received my Landscape Contractors license. It wasn’t until 1999, when living in Roseville that I ventured out solely into this specialty trade.

The following list indicates my background, education, and experiences, which have all had an impact on my abilities to perform as a leader in this trade:

• o Certified Low Voltage Lighting Technician (CLVLT) #0631
• o California Landscape Contractor (1992) #648814 C-27
• o Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) committee services—Design Certification Committee Chairman (2007) Legislative Committee Chairman (2005 & 2006)
• o B.S. degree Botany (California State University, Long Beach)
• o Bayside Church (Granite Bay, CA) Lighting Team—Theatrical Lighting operations & maintenance (2005 to present)
• o X-10 Pro ATAC training program
• o Energy & Technology Center training—Title 24 (S.M.U.D.)
• o Lightfair International & Lightshow West—Lighting Seminars
• o U.S. Army Reserves & Army National Guard (7-years)—Communications & Cavalry Scout SGT
• o U.S. Army Active Duty—Desert Shield & Desert Storm

In closing, my family and I have been blessed to personally experience God’s love and grace throughout many difficult times. I have a wonderful family with two children and have been married to my wife for over 17 years.

SERVICES

Avalon Artistic Landscape Lighting offers any of the following services, depending upon your individual need. These service categories are described below:

Consultation & Owner’s Representation:

Consultations are performed by Mark Carlson and require a flat fee of $150.00 for the first hour and all time after is at a rate of $90.00 per hour. During this consultation, questions are answered pertaining to your landscape lighting needs. Most visits include suggestions on fixture placement and how best to achieve desired effects. We will discuss power source requirements and select locations which are best suited for optimum system performance. We will look at system use requirements and pre-plan areas for lighting zones. Also addressed will be any trouble spots found on the site and how to get deal with them.

Ideally, consultations are employed prior to starting a lighting project and are designed to assist you in problem solving. As an option, you might elect to use Avalon as the Owner’s Representative of your project. There are two ways to bill out this form of work—1) on a Time & Materials basis or 2) on a percentage fee basis, typically between 5% and 15% of the total job cost.

Design:

Designs are prepared by Mark Carlson and are standard with every job. This service is normally required at the start of any project. A $250.00 minimum charge is required to cover this initial time investment, which supports the preparation of a Site Information Plan. This plan is utilized to establish an accurate lighting proposal and occurs prior to a signed contract. If Avalon is awarded the installation contract, then most all projects will be reimbursed for this charge.

We offer two design programs, depending upon your needs and who is installing the job. If Avalon is performing the installation work, then a Conceptual Lighting Plan is provided. This conceptual plan is not necessarily to scale but has all pertinent information for the installation of your lighting system, as intended by our designer.

If Avalon is not performing this installation, then a more detailed Lighting Plan is provided. This plan includes all standard information, technical details and general lighting notes to ensure the system is installed to our standards. These plans are either “to scale” or “not to scale”, depending upon the budget desired. All design charges are dependent upon the amount of detail and time required.

Each Avalon installed job will provide a complete “As-built” plan that shows where wiring runs are located and any other changes from the original design. This information is kept on file with us for any future service work.

Installation:

All installation services performed by Avalon, follows the guidelines developed by the AOLP for this type of work—“Standards for Installation”. These standards are the most up-to-date set of standards in the low voltage lighting industry. Installation service costs are provided in a Lighting Proposal format, which include all details to list a breakdown of materials and labor.

Each job is installed in a professional manner where physical checks are performed throughout the system. Wiring is coded for each circuit run and logged for future reference. Transformers are tested for amperage loads and fixtures are tested to ensure that they have a voltage range that falls between 10.6-volts and 12.0-volts.

Once the system is in operation, a night-time adjustment is performed to ensure the fixtures are aimed properly with the correct wattage lamps. The designer will ensure that this adjustment reflects the intent of the lighting plan.

Maintenance & Repair:

Maintenance and repair work is performed by Avalon and follows the same standards of installation as required in our installation work. If we are called to repair a landscape lighting system where someone other than Avalon installed the work, then charges will apply as described below under “Repair work”. The work we perform will have a limited guarantee, which covers only that work which we performed. Avalon will offer suggestions, based upon what is found, which will better enhance the operations of your existing system.

Repair work is performed on a Time and Materials basis, due to the nature of the work. There are several rates which apply depending on the task performed:

• + Troubleshooting of systems $95.00 per hour
• + Design time for system rework $75.00 per hour
• + General repair labor $55.00 per man-hour
• + Travel time for pick-up/ drop-off of materials $35.00 per hour
• + Material costs List cost plus 15%

Maintenance service contracts for systems installed by Avalon are negotiated in advance, as our costs normally reflect the total number of fixtures on the job. We use a cost-per-fixture structure, which allows for time to service equipment and change lamps. However, there may be the occasion where our services require a Time & Materials type approach, depending upon the individual situation and client needs.

Our standard service includes the following tasks:

1. Verifying voltage and amperage readings of the transformer(s).

2. Cleaning of all exposed equipment—transformers, fixture housings and lenses.

3. Aiming adjustments to fixtures, as necessary, to include minor relocations of fixtures to clear plant growth.

4. Ensuring control systems are operational.

5. Changing of burned out lamps and lubing of lamp sockets.

6. Minor trimming or pruning of plant growth around fixtures, as necessary.

7. Logging of work performed and other information tracking.

As part of our installation program, we offer a complimentary annual maintenance service to ensure everything is operating at optimum performance. Once this initial period is complete, then all future services will be under contract and arranged for in advance. Trip charges will apply to all service calls that are more than 5-miles from our office. Most service visits are based upon Time and Materials rates, as additional repairs may be necessary.

BENEFITS

There are several benefits to having a lighting system installed at your property, all of which add value to your investment. Benefits can fall into two types, either functional or aesthetic and both types are necessary to ensure that the end user is happy and comfortable.

Safety:

This element is of primary concern to our design approach, as we will always address safety concerns related to the project. Some of these concerns are changes in elevations along access routes, for example, stairs. Other items are pools, water features, structures, low hanging trees, etc. Lighting to and from and around these areas is important in avoiding injury.

Security:

Lighting is an important way to address the security needs of a site—this will eliminate the “fears” that many clients have. Security can be achieved by properly lighting areas to avoid dark hidden zones. Avalon does not agree with the typical form of security lighting—to use excessive flood lights around the home to blast light everywhere, including your neighbor’s yard! By properly placing fixtures throughout the landscape and utilizing down lighting out of trees, structures and the like, you can effective create an environment to deter any would be intruders. It is important that care is taken to avoid glare and light trespass onto neighbor’s properties.

Beauty & Mood:

Avalon takes great pride in its ability to create environments that are visually pleasing and full of interest. Our designs incorporate the play of light gained from the proper positioning of fixtures in any given area. We can achieve tranquil romantic settings or we can highlight structures to offer grand attention and impact to the setting. There should be a variance in these settings about the property, to include transition zones, so that the eye moves naturally from one point to the next. Another aspect of our design work is to incorporate lighting techniques with a variety of plant materials, as they all possess texture, color and density. This beauty can truly add an emotional value that goes way beyond that of your investment.

Space & Depth:

The creation of space or depth is so important at night, as everything closes in when it’s black outside. Why limit yourself only to the interior of your home at night when you can utilize your exterior areas to expand your living space. Lighting is magical in that way, as it brings about life. Through the proper positioning of fixtures and working with correct lamp wattages, you can achieve this depth to the yard. This level of lighting is a warm invitation to enter the garden or during colder seasons, to view it from inside. Each window view should frame a scene, as a piece of art.

Marketability & Resale Value:

There have been several studies showing the increased value of properties with lighting systems. Several of our designed homes have sold much faster than others in the areas due to this enhanced feature. Because lighting has such an impact on emotion, it might be that final piece that sways the buyer in the market.

TECHNIQUES

Avalon Artistic Landscape Lighting employs a variety of lighting techniques based upon the desired effects needed in the scene. Light dispersal or the spread of light out from the fixture can be utilized in more or less, two ways; 1) from above, as in “Down Lighting” or 2) from the ground level, as in “Up Lighting”. Both of these means can utilize broad spreads of light to wash larger areas or utilize narrow beams to pin-point and highlight objects.

Please note that the artistic nature of our work comes from the employment of these techniques. This is what sets us apart from many of the other contractors out there performing this specialty trade. Most of the people installing these systems only install ground level fixtures. The reason for this is due to the amount of time it takes to secure these fixtures in trees and other high level structures. The trade-off to this ease of installation is a design that lacks interest and mood.

Below is a list of some of these techniques and what they do:

Moon Lighting:

This effect is utilized to create interesting shadows and patterns on the ground from high above in a tree. This is the same technique as Area Lighting, but you’re working with the tree structure to block portions of this transmitted light. The higher up in the tree you place the fixture, the larger and softer the spread of light.

Area Lighting:

This effect is used to illuminate larger areas and to give a more pleasant feel to the area of focus. As mentioned above, the higher the fixture from the ground, the more spread of light. Care should be taken on placement of these to avoid excessive glare. Shielding and lenses may be required.

Path Lighting:

This is a common treatment used for lighting paths and other access routes. This technique is equivalent to that of Area Lighting, but at a smaller and much closer scale to the ground. Beware of using too much of this form as it will seem to dominate the areas with multitudes of fixtures.

Washing:

This effect is created by placing a fixture further away from the object and broadly washing this surface area. This is normally done from ground level, but it can be from above. Examples might be that of a large wall of a structure or a hedge of plants. You will note that color has a big play in how pronounced this surface is—the lighter the color, the more reflective it is and therefore, it will seem more intense than a dark surface with the same wattage lamp.

Grazing:

This effect is used to create texture and add depth to the surface being lit. To do this on a wall, for example brick or stone, you will need to place the fixture close to the surface and graze it with the light. Shadows will be created between the brick or stone, thereby giving texture to the surface. This is a fun technique to play with.

Shadowing:

This effect is used for creating interest onto background surfaces. For example, you would place a fixture in front of a particular plant and shine light through it creating shadows upon a wall behind. This can animate the space and allow mood to set in.

Silhouetting:

This effect is also used to create interest and is opposite of the Shadowing Technique. You will place the fixture behind the plant material or element to be lit and wash the wall instead. This will back light or silhouette this element by highlighting the wall and the subject will be black or dark. This adds impact to the setting from a different perspective.

Step & Wall Lighting:

This technique is used to illuminate steps or areas below the wall from the fixture that is either recessed into the step/ wall or surface mounted on the wall. Usually the light is directed down or it can spread outwards, depending upon the face plate of the fixture. This type of lighting is usually very soft in nature and not always the best for lighting these safety concerns.

Underwater Lighting:

This technique is employed in various ways depending upon the desired effect of the feature. Positioning of these fixtures is critical and they may need to be played with prior to final placement. There is one effect that is great where you can animate an area outside of the water feature through the play of dripping water and light. This play will create shadows, which bounce around on the outside walls. It may take several fixtures to achieve a desired look and the deeper you go inside the water element, the stronger the wattage of the lamp is required to illuminate the feature.

Projection Lighting:

This technique is done to throw images onto a surface. A special projector fixture is used to direct these images.

Testimonials

“Thank you for all of your help and support. Jim and I are pleased with all of your creative efforts. It looks like a picture out of Sunset Magazine! Thank you again.”

ť– Jim & Jan Leonard Auburn, CA

“Thank you so much for the beautiful landscape lighting design you installed for our new home. My husband and I drove around different neighborhood’s and were unimpressed until we saw one of your jobs. It contained an artistic element that we really loved. We especially liked how you used lighting to accent the trees, plants, and architectural features of one’s home. You were so great to work with, it truly was a pleasure! The end result was more than we hoped for. We would highly recommend anyone wanting something a little more special, in regards to their outdoor lighting, to contact Avalon Lighting. We are sure you will be as pleased and delighted as we were! Thanks Mark.”

ť– Yvonne & Michael Janis Roseville, CA

“We had our landscape lighting designed and installed by Mark and he designed a look that enhanced our landscaping & house architecture to the fullest. He has an eye for detail and the products are of top quality. Our last house we did ourselves with Home Depot lights and can not believe the difference a professional job makes! We would never try a do-it-yourself package again. We continually get compliments from friends and neighbors. Mark has continued our relationship by coming by to check on the system to make sure the lights are working to their best ability. We would recommend Avalon to anyone looking for a quality and professional lighting job.”

ť– Debbie Walsh Roseville, CA

“We wish to express our sincere thanks to you and your employees for the outstanding improvements which you made to our landscape lighting. Our lighting system was originally installed by a landscape contractor whom said it was one of the best systems available. Needless to say, we were very disturbed when we found that the system was not only improperly installed, but also failed to create an interesting and attractive atmosphere for our patio and yard. A serious lack of cooperation by the landscape contractor left us without the use of our system for several months! Then, we had the good fortune to learn about the existence of your business. Our source was very familiar with your work and recommended you very highly. Therefore, we contacted you and you immediately responded and completed the necessary work in our yard in a very timely manner. For this, we are very grateful to you and your crew. The installation repairs were made and the lighting system was rearranged to create the lovely effect we had hoped for! We would be very pleased and privileged to recommend your services to anyone. Again, thank you very much for a job beautifully done.”

ť– Vadney Murray Roseville, CA

“I want to thank you and your team for the great work you did at our home. We are really pleased with the results and continue to receive compliments from friends and neighbors. Prior to your work, we spent little time outside in the evening and it was difficult for people to find their way along poorly lit pathways. As a result of your efforts, these issues were resolved by the subtle use of lighting. Your work made for a wonderful finishing touch to a large landscaping effort. Thanks again.”

ť– Cliff Smith Fair Oaks, CA

“After having our backyard landscaped, we had Mark design and install a complete lighting system. Since the very start, we got the impression that this company knew their business. We were completely satisfied, their fees were competitive, and the job was done in a very reasonable amount of time. Avalon Lighting has acted professionally in all aspects of their work. They made sure that we were happy with what was being installed. We highly recommend Avalon Lighting to anyone who is in the market for an outdoor lighting system.”

ť– Eric & Toffee Javier Folsom, CA

CONTACT US

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website and we would be happy to answer any of your questions. Below is our contact information:

Avalon Artistic Landscape Lighting

Attn: Mark Carlson

P.O. Box 836

Roseville, CA 95661

(916) 780-2205

mark@avalonlighting.com

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