Please suggest a reputable supplier of Outside / Garden lights (240V)

FrankFalcon

Hi Everybody

Not sure if this is the best forum to post in but I'll try...

The electrician is booked in for 3 weeks time! We are having 240v bollard lights professionally installed all around the perimeter of the garden in the house we have just moved into.  As yet we have not chosen the exact light but the electrician gave us a brochure and told us to pick some lights from that brochure or to feel free to buy elsewhere.  He told us "The ones in this brochure are expensive for a reason.  Because they will last a long time.  The cheap and nasty ones will look terrible after a year and you'll end up replacing them".  So, she who must be obeyed looked through the lighting brochure but couldn't really decide on a particular light.  We sort of half-heartedly chose a style and I set off to check on the company he suggested.  The company is Collingwood lighting and after looking at their limited reviews on Trustpilot I have since decided against using them.  Therefore, I am hoping you guys can suggest (from your experience) where we can purchase good quality/long lasting/decent outdoor Garden lighting.  I know there are millions of companies selling online but I can clearly see that a lot of them are simply resellers, selling lights mass produced overseas.  Any ideas people? From your own experience, please?

I am looking for a light that will last a long time without rusting or losing its appearance.

Thank you

steviebabes

Had these for about 4 years now, still look good and working perfectly. https://www.nationallighting.co.uk/bliss-e27-bollard-ip44-stainless-steel?vat=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwu5CDBhB9EiwA0w6sLXDHyzWWeXHBDXF7ey_2M5YbJtdArTB4rSrz8srmAhpP9t7QDs5OZhoCYF4QAvD_BwE

mksysb

TLC Direct are a good company for all things electrical.  Take a look and see if they have what you need

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/

knightstyle

Just bought and installed one of these.  Very pleased with it, got a decent LED bulb for it.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Modern-Outdoor-Cast-Aluminium-Ground-1-Meter-Post-Bollard-Light-Heavy-Duty-5771S/182305733835?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&var=484868249075&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2648

searchlight123

as someone who sells lighting, i can tell you with no bias whatsoever that Collingwood are a very decent quality product.

[Deleted User]

Just to throw it out there, have you consider low voltage (12v/24v) instead of 240v? 

Some advantages are no need for armoured cables, safer, less chance of nuisance RCD tripping and low voltage lights are more efficient?

FrankFalcon

Thank you for the suggestions all.  With regard to the 12v suggestion here is what Sparky told me...
"You are the customer.  You can choose whatever system you like because I am charging you labour for digging and laying wires either way.  However, you want a minimum of 13 bollards.  By the time the supply hits the 13th Bollard, the lights will not be looking sharp.  Then you have the transformer issues which quite frankly you can expect to change every couple of years.  Then there's the fact that 12V systems are very cheap and a lot of it is mass-produced overseas and is poor quality".  He went on... "I am happy to install a 12V system for you and will decrease the price accordingly (because there is not the same labour involved as burying armour cable) but you must understand that the cheap plastic these 12V systems are made of will not withstand UK weather extremes for more than a few years without cracking and starting to perish.  For example, the glands on a 240V must be a special material and must withstand certain extremes.  The same quality is not afforded to the cheap 12V systems you can pick up on Ebay etc"  He was straight up front and left me in no doubt that if I went for 12V system I should expect to renew some or all of the parts within the next few years.  Like I do...I checked out his comments and it all seems to make sense.  Therefore, maybe I'm wrong but I have accepted his words and have chosen the 240V option.  
Thanks, everybody.
PS...Somebody PM'd me and asked if sparky is NICEIC registered and I am happy to say he is.  He specialises in outdoor lighting at sports grounds in the North West.

getmore4less

Presumably he will be guaranteeing all the supplied products for these extra years he claims they will be lasting?

While there are holes in the ground might be worth running cables/conduit(to pull through) and setting up options for the future.

Extra socket or two in the garden handy for power tools or just plugging in stuff if  in a seating area
already got a shed might as well get that powered up.
maybe some ethernet runs 

I sometimes wish I had an extra outside tap in the garden to save running the long hose  burried water pipe to a locations should not be a lot more.