Question 1

What does Sandy Beach Lighting & Design Co. do?

Accepted Answer

We are a family-owned, designer-led lighting firm based in Lafayette, Indiana. We design, install and care for landscape and architectural lighting for homes and estates. We also restore existing systems, provide ongoing System Care, and plan outdoor audio and lighting controls alongside the lighting.

Question 2

Where do you work?

Accepted Answer

We are based in Lafayette and work across Greater Lafayette, including West Lafayette. On the north side of Indianapolis, we work in Carmel, Zionsville, Westfield and Fishers. We also work in Monticello and the Twin Lakes area, and we consider select projects beyond these communities.

Question 3

Is my project the right fit?

Accepted Answer

We are a good fit when you want lighting designed for your property, not just installed. Projects range from a single focal point or one outdoor room to a whole estate, and larger plans can be installed in phases. If you already have a system, we start with an assessment.

Question 4

Who designs the lighting?

Accepted Answer

Your designers are Andy and Michelle Schwindler, the owners. Both are Certified Outdoor Lighting Designers. Design is its own paid step, with the fee confirmed before you commit. Our team then installs the system and aims and adjusts every fixture after dark.

Question 5

How do I begin?

Accepted Answer

Start a design conversation using the form on this site, or call us. A designer returns every new inquiry — usually within a couple of hours, always within one business day. The first conversation is a free 15-minute phone call, and we will have measured your home from satellite imagery beforehand, so we can talk real numbers and the right next step. Scope, fees and scheduling are confirmed before you commit.

Question 6

Do you maintain the lighting after it is installed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our System Care program includes spring and fall visits to inspect the system, clean lenses, realign fixtures and adjust for growth in the landscape. Qualifying new landscape installations include first-year System Care, as described in your proposal.

Question 7

What does landscape lighting cost?

Accepted Answer

Most of our landscape lighting projects start between $8,000 and $10,000. Cost is usually the first question, so we'd rather share it up front. The honest answer depends on your property — give us your address and we'll measure it from satellite imagery and call you back, usually the same day, with a ballpark before you commit to anything.

Question 8

What does holiday lighting cost?

Accepted Answer

Most clients start with a budget around $2,500 — typically a custom-cut roofline plus some accent decor, in any color you like. That price includes installation, mid-season maintenance, takedown, and storage, and leaving your lights up a little longer doesn't cost extra.

Question 9

Why is holiday lighting priced per season?

Accepted Answer

Because you're not just buying lights — you're buying the whole experience. We custom-cut commercial-grade product to your home, install it, maintain it all season, take it down, and store it. We also refresh the product regularly for safety, which means you can change your look — warm white this year, multicolor next — without buying anything twice.

Question 10

What does permanent roofline lighting cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the size and shape of your home, so we don't quote it blind. Share your address and we'll take a look and get right back to you with a ballpark. It's more of an upfront investment, but it starts to make sense quickly when you're investing in holiday lighting every year — and you get to use it year-round.

Question 11

What happens at the on-site design visit?

Accepted Answer

A designer — usually Andy himself — walks your space with you and talks through what you want to see, feel, and use after dark. He'll even text you when he's about 30 minutes out. From there, we design your lighting and walk you through exactly what we'd do and why.

Question 12

Who does the installation?

Accepted Answer

Our own crew, every time — never subcontractors. The team that designs your lighting is the same team responsible for how it looks and works.

Question 13

What is permanent roofline lighting?

Accepted Answer

A fully enclosed track system, color-matched to your soffit, so it essentially disappears during the day. At night it gives a true warm white we'd use for architectural lighting, plus app control for colors, patterns, schedules, and even music syncing — every holiday, all year. We brought in all the top brands and tested them ourselves before choosing this one; the daytime look was one of the main reasons.

Question 14

Will I see the permanent lights during the day?

Accepted Answer

That's always the number one concern — and it's exactly the problem this product solves. The track is color-matched to your soffit and every wire is enclosed, so there's nothing bulky and nothing exposed; it reads like part of the house. We're happy to point you to homes we've done nearby so you can drive by in daylight and judge for yourself.

Question 15

What's the warranty?

Accepted Answer

The permanent lighting product carries a lifetime warranty, and our installation work carries a one-year labor warranty. With all the wiring enclosed, there's very little to maintain — and if anything ever acts up, you call us and we're there.

Question 16

Do you install lights I already own?

Accepted Answer

We don't — and it's not about being picky. When it's our commercial-grade product, custom-cut to your home, we can stand behind every bulb: maintain it mid-season, refresh it for safety, and store it for you. That's hard to promise with product we didn't choose and can't vouch for.

Question 17

What makes Sandy Beach different?

Accepted Answer

Restraint. We design with low light levels and more fixtures instead of a few bright floodlights — the goal is a home that feels beautifully lit, not a house that looks lit up. Comfortable light, no glare, fixtures that disappear by day. And it's led by a designer who wrote the book on it — literally: Andy is a contributing author of Masters of Landscape Lighting, trains lighting designers across the country, and our work earned AOLP Best in Show this year.

Question 18

My lights aren't working — what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Call us and ask for Michelle — you'll be transferred straight to her, and we'll get someone on it quickly. Our System Care team handles repairs, realignment, and restoration for existing systems.

Your property. Beautiful after dark.

Landscape and architectural lighting for Indiana homes and estates. Designed, installed and cared for by one family-owned, designer-led firm.

Recognized by our peers.

2026 AOLP National Award

2024 AOLP National Award

Masters of Landscape Lighting

The right light changes how a place feels.

See what light can do.

Where our name comes from

A quiet arrival

A garden in the woods

A clear next step.

Landscape & architectural lighting

Restore an existing system

System Care

Bring us in while the plans are still open.

In our clients’ words.

Jack W.

David B.

Amy G.

A personal approach, across the region.

A few first questions.

Question

What does Sandy Beach Lighting & Design Co. do?

Question

Where do you work?

Question

Is my project the right fit?

Question

Who designs the lighting?

Question

How do I begin?

Question

Do you maintain the lighting after it is installed?

Question

What does landscape lighting cost?

Question

What does holiday lighting cost?

Question

Why is holiday lighting priced per season?

Question

What does permanent roofline lighting cost?

Question

What happens at the on-site design visit?

Question

Who does the installation?

Question

What is permanent roofline lighting?

Question

Will I see the permanent lights during the day?

Question

What's the warranty?

Question

Do you install lights I already own?

Question

What makes Sandy Beach different?

Question

My lights aren't working — what do I do?

Let’s see your property in a new light.

Tell us what you love about your property and what you would like to enjoy after dark.

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