In recent years, the surge in LED lighting adoption has transformed how we illuminate our homes, offices, and public spaces. Energy-efficient, cost-effective, and long-lasting LEDs should be a win for both clients and the professionals who design and install them.
But something is going wrong.
The market has become flooded with poor-quality installations, unskilled labor, and cheap components. This is not just disappointing, it’s damaging the reputation of our entire industry.
The Race to the Bottom
The biggest issue we face today is a “race to the bottom” on price. Clients often don’t see the difference between a premium lighting solution and a quick fix from an unqualified installer. They see the term “LED” and expect it all to be the same.
This leads to:
Overheating and Fire Risks due to incorrect drivers and poor ventilation
Glare and Visual Fatigue from badly positioned fixtures
Rapid Component Failure from low-grade products
Ugly Finishes that ruin the architectural intent of a space
We’ve all seen it: LEDs with mismatched color temperatures, strip lighting sagging off ceilings, or fittings held in place with little more than hope. Clients are left disappointed and it reflects badly on all of us. Am I the only one that struggles to walk away from a job that looks substandard? Perhaps I care a little too much sometimes but it feels as if the “Treat each project as if it was your own” is diminishing.
Cutting Corners Isn’t Innovation!
The promise of LED lighting lies in its ability to be integrated seamlessly into thoughtful, well-designed spaces, not jammed into every corner with no understanding of lighting dynamics or electrical load.
But with so many entering the market with little training and less pride in the result, the bar keeps dropping. That hurts specialists who do care, and it erodes the perceived value of quality lighting design. I had a customer tell me ” Thanks for your time in coming out to quote and walk through the options, however I have chosen another company that clearly has less experience and expertise than you (their words not mine) and therefore they are cheaper”. Where is the sense in that?
It’s Time to Take Back the Narrative
As professionals, we need to hold the line:
Educate Clients on why quality matters in lighting. (Easier said than done)
Refuse to Undercut ourselves to compete with poor workmanship
Push Back against suppliers pushing bottom-shelf components
Showcase our best work with transparency and pride.
Im proud to say that my installations are always the best that I can physically produce, and I get immense satisfaction at the end of each project looking at what has been created. Not only for myself, but to watch my clients reaction.
Lighting isn’t just about illumination, it’s about mood, function, safety, and beauty. When we install it badly, we don’t just damage one project, we damage trust in the entire sector.
Let’s stop letting bad LED work define our industry. Excellence is still in demand. Let’s make sure we’re the ones delivering it.
