A Lighting Consultant for Electrical Engineers
We take ownership of the entire lighting scope. You get increased capacity.
How it Works
PLD takes complete ownership of the lighting scope from concept through construction administration.
Your team stays focused on power and low voltage systems design.
Your firm gains additional electrical capacity without adding permanent overhead.
The Benefits to You
A partially delegated lighting scope creates more work. A fully delegated lighting scope creates capacity.
Increased Project Capacity
Reduced Employee Burnout
On the fence about whether to pursue an upcoming opportunity because of electrical staffing shortages? Taking the lighting scope off your team’s plate allows them to handle more projects without being stretched too thin.
Is your electrical team working long hours every week to keep up with project demands? Delegating lighting can reduce the workload vs. capacity tension back to a more reasonable level, helping to reduce the risk of a team member moving to a different firm.
Expanded Capacity Without Waiting
Reduced Liability
Hiring experienced electrical engineers takes time, and the right candidate isn't always available when you need them. PLD helps bridge that gap by increasing your firm's electrical engineering capacity while you continue building your permanent team.
With PLD completing and stamping the entirety of the lighting scope, your team is no longer responsible for that portion of the construction document set.
FAQ's
Which states is PLD licensed in?
We are currently licensed in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Nebraska, and North Carolina. If a project requires licensure in another state, we are happy to obtain it as part of supporting that project.
Will PLD steal our clients?
No. PLD only performs lighting design and engineering. This means that we will always need to team with quality firms for the design of power, low voltage, mechanical, and plumbing systems. This positions us as partners, not competitors. For any firms that would like additional protection in writing regarding introduced clients and opportunities, we have a standard Mutual Non-Circumvent Agreement that we are happy to provide.
How does lighting circuiting coordination work?
1. PLD determines the required quantity, loading, and general locations of lighting circuits.
2. PLD coordinates this information with the electrical engineer (EE).
3. The EE assigns the panel and circuit number for each lighting circuit.
4. PLD identifies which fixtures are served by each lighting circuit, and labels each circuit with its assigned panel and circuit number, on the lighting plans.
5. The EE shows the panel schedules as a part of the electrical drawing package.
Is PLD willing to provide services for a partial lighting scope?
Yes. Our default approach is to take ownership of the complete lighting scope to allow the electrical engineer to fully delegate that portion of the project. However, if you prefer PLD to handle only select portions of the lighting scope, we're happy to accommodate that approach as well.
Will working with PLD create additional management burden?
No. PLD was intentionally set up to avoid creating additional management burden. Our standard approach is to completely own the lighting scope so your team can remain focused on the power distribution, equipment, and coordination.
Will PLD be strong aesthetically but weak technically?
No. While we are proud of our ability to function as architectural lighting designers when needed, our engineering expertise also makes us fully capable of handling the technical aspects of a lighting project including code requirements, circuiting, controls, and specifications.
Does PLD have experience in the types of projects our firm works on?
Our experience covers a wide range of project types including workplace, K-12, higher education, healthcare, industrial, government, multifamily, and municipal. If a certain project is outside our realm of competency, we will notify you before starting work. We anticipate that being a rare occurrence though.
Will PLD be able to handle the size of projects our firm works on?
Yes. PLD’s standards and processes are designed to be scalable. This allows us to effectively handle projects ranging from small renovations to large, complex facilities.
Will PLD work in our Revit model?
No. PLD has invested in a thorough set of standards and process workflows that we utilize on each project to maximize efficiency while maintaining quality. Working in a separate PLD Revit model, with all the applicable Revit models linked in, allows us to utilize these tools and processes effectively.
How soon would PLD be able to start working on our projects?
We understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances happen and help may be needed quickly. As such, PLD has set up its operational workflow to typically be able to assist firms even with relatively short notice.
Will PLD be able to service the project from start to finish?
Yes. If early conceptual lighting renders would be helpful for architectural or owner coordination, PLD can provide that. We will prepare the entirety of the lighting construction document set, as well as manage lighting-related submittals and other construction administration scope. When needed on a project, we can also perform lighting controls commissioning.
Will PLD only want projects with high-end lighting?
No. Where high-end lighting is a feature of the project, we can certainly handle those aspects with expertise. But we are happy to help firms with any projects that they need assistance on.
How does PLD structure fees?
We typically use fixed fees because they provide predictable costs for our clients and allow us to focus on delivering results rather than tracking hours. Since every project differs in size, complexity, and scope, each fee proposal is tailored to the specific project. We're happy to provide a proposal for a specific project – or even a hypothetical project – to help establish budgeting expectations.
Is partnering with PLD meant to replace our direct hiring strategy?
No. Our aim is to be a collaborative partner that supplements, not replaces, your direct hiring strategy. Firms will always need employees. Situations where PLD can help fill the gap include when hiring is taking longer than anticipated but project load isn’t slowing down, when a large project comes up that will require more staffing that may not need to be retained permanently, and other similar scenarios firms may find themselves in where the workload vs. capacity tension is unsustainable.
