This category covers the two systems most Charlotte homeowners bundle into one project: low-voltage lighting for paths, trees, and architectural features, and irrigation design for lawns and planting beds. A designer in this space typically maps zones based on plant type and sun exposure, sizes a controller and valve system for your water pressure, and plans fixture placement and wiring runs so the lighting reads well after dark without turning your yard into a runway. Some firms handle design only and hand off installation to a contractor; others design and install as one crew.
Charlotte's clay-heavy soil and hot, humid summers matter here. Irrigation heads and drip lines need to be set for how fast (or slowly) water moves through red clay, and lighting fixtures need to hold up through freeze-thaw winters and mosquito season without corroding at the connections. When you're comparing firms, ask about smart controller options (rain sensors, Wi-Fi scheduling), warranty terms on fixtures and wiring, and whether they use brass or composite fixture housings, since that affects how long lighting lasts outdoors.
We scored the 7 firms in this category on project photos and portfolio depth, license and insurance status, responsiveness to quotes, and pattern of feedback across jobs, not just star ratings. See exactly how we weight each factor on the methodology page. For the full ranked breakdown of who came out on top and why, go to our best landscape lighting and irrigation design guide for Charlotte.