Top 10 Questions You Need to Ask Before Hiring a Lighting Retrofit Contractor

1. Will they provide a comprehensive lighting analysis?

If your lighting retrofit contractor just drops off a simple price quote and energy savings page, be assured you deserve much more than that.

A qualified lighting specialist will have a discussion with your employees regarding areas of concern that may be under lit or over lit, where motion sensors or daylight harvesting can be used to reduce energy costs. Foot candle readings should be taken and both office areas and shop areas should be accessed for potential energy savings.

Your proposal should include:

• Not only your project cost, but also utility company rebate incentive amounts, eligible EPAct energy tax incentives, your projected savings along with supporting documentation as to how those savings projections were calculated.
• Carbon footprint reduction calculations, helping you assure your customers that your company is environmentally conscious and "green".
• Your proposal should include 100% finance options allowing your energy reduction initiative to be paid for using the positive cash flow from your monthly utility cost savings.
• Finally it should include multiple customer testimonials from similar facilities.

2. Can they provide a photometric analysis?

This is a straightforward way to compare lighting output of different fixtures in a true "apples to apples" comparison.

3. Do they have the necessary knowledge and expertise?

Is your contractor qualified and familiar with filing all the necessary pre and post applications required by your utility company to qualify for eligible rebate incentive dollars, at no additional cost to you?

4. Are they capable of certifying your company for the IRS EPAct05 accelerated tax deduction?

This tax paperwork has to be prepared and certified by a professional engineer or certified electrical lighting contractor who understands ASHRAE standards, light power density values and watts/psf thresholds allowed by the IRS to qualify for this EPAct tax deduction. Will they charge an additional fee for this certification?

5. Are they willing to work 2nd or 3rd shift at no additional charge to help reduce potential disruption to your operation?

6. What about disposal of all your old fixtures, is that included in your price?

Not to mention your old mercury laden HID lamps which are required to be recycled as hazardous waste.

7. Does your lighting retrofit provider have a proven track record and customer testimonials to back up their promises and commitments?

8. Are they a true "TURN-KEY" lighting specialist and contractor?

You deserve to have a lighting contractor who specializes in turnkey lighting retrofits and uses trained lighting technicians experienced in lighting retrofit projects for warehouses and manufacturing environments.

9. Does their price include articulating and/or scissors lifts?

If not, these can add up to a big additional expense. What about travel and per diem costs if you're not local, who's paying those?

10. Ask your contractor for a list of the last 10 projects they've completed.

ROI-Energy: Specializing in turn-key lighting retrofits for manufacturers & warehouses.

Quality is like buying oats - if you want nice, clean oats, you must pay a fair price; however - if you're satisfied with oats that have already been through the horse - those oats can be had a little cheaper!

~Anonymous.