WARRANTY & SPECIFICATIONS
Warranty and Specification
Southern Lights Owner’s Guide
Warranty • Specifications • Care & Maintenance
Everything you need to know about your outdoor lighting, audio, permanent lighting, and holiday lighting system.
This guide outlines your warranty coverage, maintenance recommendations, service policies, installation standards, and ongoing support so you can enjoy your investment with complete confidence.
Welcome
Thank you for trusting Southern Lights with your home.
Outdoor lighting is one of the few improvements you’ll experience almost every evening. Long after the installation is complete, our goal is for your property to continue looking and performing exactly as it was designed.
This guide explains how your system is protected, what to expect from our team, and how to get the most from your investment for years to come.
Whether we’ve installed architectural lighting, landscape lighting, outdoor audio, permanent roofline lighting, or holiday lighting, our commitment remains the same:
Create an exceptional experience. Stand behind our work. Build relationships that last.
The Southern Lights Experience Guarantee
We guarantee the transformation—not just the fixtures.
Every Southern Lights system is individually designed for your property. If your completed system does not deliver the design experience presented due to fixture placement, beam spread, aiming, brightness, or overall balance, we’ll continue refining the system until the original design intent has been achieved.
This includes adjustments to fixture placement, beam spread, fixture aiming, brightness, and overall system balance.
Our Experience Guarantee complements the warranty coverage contained in this guide and reflects our commitment to delivering the quality and craftsmanship for which Southern Lights is known.
Warranty Overview
Before diving into the specific warranties, it’s important to understand how Southern Lights approaches system protection.
Every installation includes:
✓ Professional system design
✓ Professional installation
✓ Manufacturer-backed products
✓ Southern Lights installation workmanship
✓ Ongoing service support
✓ Optional Light Club Membership for long-term care
The following sections explain the warranty coverage for each component of your system.
Lighting System Warranty & Performance Coverage
Southern Lights Outdoor Lighting & Audio provides a 1-Year Comprehensive Warranty covering all wire, connections, transformers, fixtures, and workmanship for the installed system at no cost to the client.
Beyond Year 1, warranty coverage continues as outlined below unless otherwise specified. (Excludes damage caused by weather events, physical damage—intentional or unintentional—or theft.)
After Year 1, service visits and labor are billable unless covered under an active Light Club Membership.
Manufacturer & Component Warranties
- Low Voltage Transformers: Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Non-Submersible Brass Fixtures: Lifetime Warranty
- Submersible (Underwater) Fixtures: 1-Year Warranty
- Timers: 1 Year Warranty
LED Components:
- Retrofit LEDs: 5-Year Manufacturer Warranty
- Integrated LEDs (Non-RGBW): 10-Year Manufacturer Warranty
- Integrated LEDs (RGBW): 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty
- Strip / Linear LED Lighting: 2-Year Manufacturer Warranty
- Bistro Lighting & LEDs: 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
Wire & Connection Warranty
- Wire and connections are covered under a 10-Year Warranty. For clients enrolled in a Light Club Membership:
- This warranty is extended an additional 10 years annually, maintaining continuous coverage while membership remains active
Permanent Track Lighting:
- 5-Year Warranty on Materials & Labor
- Lifetime Warranty on materials with a maintenance plan
Labor & Service Coverage
- Southern Lights covers LED replacement and associated labor for the first 1 year from installation.
- After Year 1: LEDs remain covered under manufacturer warranty
- Labor and service are billed at standard service rates ($129 covers 1st half hour, $99/man hr beyond 1st half hour)
Installation Conditions & Material Considerations
- Recessed installations (concrete, pavers, stone, brick, etc.) may result in slight color variations where joints are modified for wire routing
- Expansion joints may be utilized or created where necessary
- Tree-mounted fixtures require periodic adjustment to accommodate natural growth (Annual adjustment is included as part of the Light Club Membership)
- Standard recessed can lights are white and may be painted (painting not included)
- Southern Lights may perform minor pruning where necessary to ensure proper light output
Outdoor Audio System Warranty & Specifications
Manufacturer-Based Warranty (Coastal Source Systems)
Southern Lights installs premium audio systems using professional-grade components selected for exceptional performance, reliability, and longevity. While we specialize in outdoor audio systems, we also install indoor solutions. Because we work with multiple manufacturers to provide the best solution for each project, warranty coverage is based on the manufacturer of the specific equipment installed.
Manufacturer Warranty
All audio equipment—including speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, controllers, and other electronic components—is covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty applicable to the specific products installed.
Typical manufacturer warranties include:
- Outdoor Speakers & Subwoofers: Many premium manufacturers offer warranties ranging from 5 years to Limited Lifetime, depending on the product.
- Amplifiers, Controllers & Electronic Components: Typically covered for 2–5 years, depending on the manufacturer.
- Cabling, Connectors & Accessories: Covered in accordance with the individual manufacturer’s warranty.
Southern Lights will facilitate the warranty process for eligible manufacturer warranty claims during the applicable warranty period. Warranty coverage applies to defects in materials and workmanship under normal operating conditions and does not cover damage resulting from misuse, abuse, accidents, improper alterations, power surges, lightning, flooding, acts of nature, vandalism, or other causes excluded by the manufacturer.
Manufacturer warranties are subject to the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions established by the individual manufacturer.
All Coastal Source audio components are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty as follows:
- Speakers (including satellite, bollard, and subwoofers): 5 Year Limited Warranty
- Outdoor-Rated Amplifiers and Electronics: 5-Year Limited Warranty
- Cabling, Connectors, and Quick-Connect Systems: 5-Year Limited Warranty
- This manufacturer warranty covers failure due to defects under normal operating conditions and proper installation.
Southern Lights Installation Warranty (Audio Systems)
Southern Lights will warranty all installation workmanship, terminations, connections, and system configuration for a period of 1 year from installation date. During this period, Southern Lights will repair or replace defective installation components at no cost to the client.
Warranty Limitations & Exclusions
The manufacturer warranty and Southern Lights workmanship warranty do not cover:
- Physical damage (intentional or accidental)
- Damage caused by landscaping, excavation, or construction
- Acts of nature (flooding, lightning, severe storm damage, etc.)
- Improper use, modification, or system tampering
- Electrical issues caused by inadequate or unstable power sources
- Network/Wi-Fi related performance issues
- Normal wear and cosmetic aging
- All warranty claims are subject to manufacturer approval and may require product inspection or return.
Labor & Service Coverage
- Southern Lights covers replacement and associated labor for the first 1 year from installation.
- After Year 1: Speakers, amplifiers, source, etc. remain covered under manufacturer warranty
- Labor and service are billed at standard service rates ($129 covers 1st half hour, $99/man hr beyond 1st half hour)
Light Club Membership (Ongoing System Care & Warranty Extension)
The Southern Lights Light Club Membership is our ongoing service and protection program designed to keep your system performing at its highest level year after year.
Outdoor lighting systems are exposed to natural growth, environmental conditions, and electrical fluctuations. Without regular maintenance, system performance, appearance, and longevity will decline over time.
Owner Tip
- Trees never stop growing—and your lighting system needs to grow with them. Over time, fixtures may need to be repositioned to preserve the original lighting design. Attachment screws are also periodically reversed to allow for trunk expansion, preventing fixtures and/or wiring from becoming engulfed by the tree or placing stress on the wire connections. These adjustments are a normal part of maintaining a professional tree lighting system. Light Club Membership includes these periodic adjustments, along with comprehensive system maintenance to keep your lighting looking and performing its best.
The Light Club Membership ensures your system continues to look, perform, and operate as originally designed.
Membership Terms
- Membership is available for new installations only
- Plans are annual agreements and non-refundable
- Membership is transferable with property ownership, provided the plan remains active and in good standing
- Pricing is based on fixture count and system size (see Southern Lights pricing page)
Forever Warranty Coverage
Active Light Club Members receive our Forever Warranty, which includes:
- Ongoing protection of wire, connections, and system infrastructure
- Continued warranty coverage beyond the initial installation period
- Priority handling of system issues
- Important: Warranty coverage under the Forever Warranty remains valid only while membership is active and paid in full
Annual Maintenance Service
Each membership includes scheduled maintenance visits designed to protect system performance and aesthetics.
Services performed during maintenance visits include:
- Inspect and tighten transformer terminal lugs and wiring
- Verify voltage and amperage readings (primary and secondary)
- Test system components (photocells, timers, relays, controls)
- Inspect and secure all electrical connections
- Evaluate gaskets and seals for wear
- Clean fixture lenses and housings
- Reposition and straighten fixtures
- Re-aim lighting to account for plant growth
- Prune minor obstructions affecting light output
- Adjust tree-mounted hardware for growth
- Replace lamps as needed using dielectric protection
- Update system maintenance log
Member Benefits
Light Club Members receive the following exclusive benefits:
- Priority Scheduling for all service requests
- Renewed Warranty Coverage on wire and connections
- 1 Complimentary Service Visit per Year (up to 30 minutes)
- Preferred Pricing:
- 5% discount on new installations
- 20% discount on non-warranty parts and labor
Exclusions
The Light Club Membership and Forever Warranty do not cover:
- Strip lighting, holiday lighting, or bistro/string lighting
- Damage due to:
- Weather events or natural disasters
- Physical impact or tampering
- Landscaping or construction activity
- Theft or vandalism
Why Membership Matters
“Lighting is not a ‘set it and forget it’ system—landscapes grow, connections settle, and performance shifts over time. The Light Club is what keeps your system looking like it did the night we installed it.”
Most of our clients choose it because it protects their investment and keeps everything running perfectly without them having to think about it.
Project Conditions, Responsibilities & Service Policies
Southern Lights is committed to delivering a high-quality, design-focused installation experience. The following outlines important project conditions, site considerations, and service policies that ensure your system performs as intended.
Because each property is unique, certain environmental, structural, and electrical factors may influence installation methods and final results. These standards are in place to maintain safety, protect your investment, and ensure long-term system performance.
By proceeding with your project, you acknowledge and agree to the following conditions and installation standards.
1. Installation Conditions & Site Considerations
Southern Lights installs lighting and audio systems on existing structures and landscapes. Because each property is unique, certain site conditions may affect installation methods and final appearance.
Surface Irregularities – Wall Caps, Overhangs, Soffits, Fascia, Gutters, Etc.
Track lighting and wall/step lighting requires fixtures to be mounted to existing architectural surfaces (soffits, fascia, granite, caps, gutters, etc). These surfaces are not always perfectly straight—sometimes they bow, dip, or have imperfections from original construction or settling over time. In some cases, sections of the lighting may be partially hidden due to these inconsistencies and track will not be perfectly level. While we take great care to install the system straight and aligned across the run, we can’t guarantee 100% visibility or level track in areas where existing structures are not level. For this reason, we require a minimum of 1.5″ overhang on any track or wall light and recommend a 2.5″ overhang to provide the best concealment and lighting effect. If adjustments such as shimming or custom mounting solutions are requested to help correct for these issues, they can be quoted separately as a custom service.
Material & Installation Variations
- Recessed installations (concrete, pavers, stone) may result in slight color variations where joints are modified
- Expansion joints may be used or created where necessary for wire routing
- Tree-mounted fixtures require periodic adjustment to accommodate growth
- Standard recessed fixtures are white and may be painted (painting not included)
- Southern Lights may perform minor pruning where necessary to achieve proper light output.
2. Client Responsibilities & System Requirements
Electrical: The homeowner must provide SL clear access to safe and adequate electricity commensurate with the volume of lights requested by the customer. SL will require enough free circuits to successfully handle the electrical load of the lighting package. SL will not be held responsible for inadequate, faulty, or overloaded electrical sources at the place of service. Southern Lights does will not warranty any product beyond manufacturer recommendations and/or specifications. For instance, temporary holiday lighting that is left up more than 90 days will void all warranties not be covered by Southern Lights for any reason. Customers requesting large lighting packages may need to consult with their electrician to provide additional power sources commensurate with package needs. Persistent moisture such as rain will create an increase in electrical resistance up to double the load of the lighting package in dry weather. If the lighting package frequently resets circuit breakers in wet weather, the customer will be responsible for resetting the GFCI outlets . Some GFCIs can be more sensitive than others and can require the system to dry out before resetting. Customer may need to provide additional clean circuits to SL for redistributing the power load if continual tripping occurs. Customers should not tether personal lights or appliances to the lights installed by SL as it may result in exceeding fuse or circuit limits and may require a service call. Customers are requested to schedule irrigation between 8 AM – 3 PM or shut off certain zones during the holiday season and have landscaping trimmed before installation. We recommend informing landscapers of holiday light installations from October to January to ensure caution. Customers must notify us if lights are out. We will resolve holiday lighting issues within 24-48 hours of notice.
Wi-Fi NETWORK REQUIREMENTS & SYSTEM SETUP
A strong, reliable Wi-Fi signal is required at each audio equipment location for proper system operation, streaming performance, software updates, and remote control functionality. This proposal assumes adequate Wi-Fi coverage is already available throughout the areas where equipment will be installed.
Southern Lights is not responsible for poor system performance caused by inadequate Wi-Fi coverage, network configuration, internet service issues, ISP equipment, or changes made to the network after installation. If insufficient signal strength is discovered during installation or setup, additional networking equipment (such as access points, mesh Wi-Fi, or other network upgrades) may be required and is not included unless specifically noted in this proposal.
- Minimum signal strength recommended (e.g. -67 dBm or better at each equipment location)
- For optimal compatibility and performance, both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks should be available and properly configured.
- Internet service must remain active
- Homeowner is responsible for Wi-Fi passwords and future network changes
- Additional networking equipment (mesh systems, access points, Ethernet runs, etc.) is not included unless specifically listed
- One hour of programming/setup included
- Additional programming or networking assistance billed at your standard hourly rate
- Remote troubleshooting is limited by internet/network availability
This proposal includes up to one (1) hour of system programming, network connection, and customer orientation. Additional programming, troubleshooting, or network configuration time beyond the included hour will be billed at our standard labor rate of $99.00 per man-hour.
Holiday Lighting Cancellation and Termination: Acknowledgment of Scheduling Constraints: Holiday lighting services often have a limited time frame for installation, and Southern Lights’ schedule is typically booked well in advance due to high demand. Product Leasing/Rental Information and Long-Term Relationship: Please note that Southern Lights leases our holiday lighting products. The initial year of service is primarily focused on covering the costs of the products and installation. Additionally, this first year is crucial for establishing a long-term relationship with our clients. We aim to build trust through our holiday lighting services, with the hope of being considered for additional services in the future, such as landscape lighting, audio systems, and permanent holiday lighting. Therefore, the second and third years of the contract are particularly important for us to achieve profitability and continue providing high-quality service. Termination of Multi-Year Contracts: For customers who have signed a three-year contract, if customer chooses to terminate the contract during the second or third year, Southern Lights reserves the right to charge up to 50% of the remaining balance on the contract. This is because the initial year typically involves significant investment in product and setup costs, and the subsequent years are essential for recouping these costs and achieving profitability. Cancellation Fees: If a customer decides to cancel their holiday lighting service after booking, they will be charged a cancellation fee amounting to 50% of the total cost of the service.