Founder and CEO Richard Lentz started his company after ten years employed by Frymire Engineering where he went to work immediately after graduating from Austin College in Sherman, TX. He became intrigued by outdoor lighting when he visited sites at night with a landscape lighting company wanting to hire him. Lentz knew then he was well suited for this niche career because of his electrical experience, his creative eye, and his love for the outdoors. He purposely chose the month of October to start his business by installing Christmas lights on homes. When he took off the holiday lights, he sold his customers on lighting their homes for the rest of the year. The administrative assistant at Frymire referred him to his very first client.
He admits his mother was one of his first clients and she helped him with appointment setting and bookkeeping. Her home was on tour as a sample of his creative work. Word quickly spread when friends inquired, “Who made your house look so magical at night?” Since then, Lentz’s list of properties continues to grow. They have illuminated homes for many of Dallas’ finest families and sports figures.
Lentz recalls some of his most challenging jobs over the years. “We did a huge ranch in the Texas Panhandle that had so many outdoor features to be illuminated; it was like doing ten jobs in one setting. Just getting from one part of the ranch to the other took a long time. We lit trees alongside the Canadian River that ran through the ranch, the main house, several guest homes, and other outdoor features.” said Lentz. “Another big job was a secondary home in Virginia owned by a Dallas hi-tech executive. He flew our entire crew up on his private plane and bought us a brand-new ATV so we could navigate all the hills between the groups of trees he wanted lit.” Lentz said. “Many of our North Texas clients commission us to do their secondary homes around the country. We have done homes as far away as Pennsylvania to North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Colorado, and Louisiana.” he added.
Even in the some of the “darkest” of recent times, Lentz learned the value of the “light” they provide with their services. During the Pandemic when everyone was homebound and encouraged to be outdoors more when gathered with family and friends, Lentz helped customers create more livable outdoor spaces around their homes for use after dark. Adding beautiful and functional lighting to decks, garden spaces, and patios allowed homeowners additional outdoor “rooms” to enjoy star gazing, family dinners alfresco, or the great outdoors any night of the year. “It was one of the busiest times of our company’s history.,” commented Richard Lentz. “The good news is those homeowners are still enjoying these outdoor rooms prompted by something unforeseen.”
Another chilling moment that generated unexpected business to Lentz was just that…generators. When the Arctic Freeze of February 2021 hit North Texas leaving thousands without power, Lentz Services, an authorized distributor of Generac Automatic Standby Home Generators, was busy filling orders and installing generators throughout North Texas. The demand was huge, but Lentz was able to expedite installations that continue to give peace of mind associated with owning a generator during these types of unpredictable events.
The uptick in crime has increased requests for more security lighting in recent years. Lentz is known for its strategic placement of lighting for maximum safety and security, while still enhancing the home with beautiful lights. As cost of living continues to rise, more Lentz customers are converting to LED to take advantage of long-term cost savings. “There are so many advancements in the type and style of LED, offering a whole palette of colors, tones and softness we can customize to each customer’s liking.,” says Lentz.
“Even though the last decade has presented us all with unwanted challenges, we continue to love the challenge of considering each property’s distinctions, whether it is a traditional, historic home or an ultra-modern design. We approach it as an artist does a blank canvas: the warm or cool lights and shadows we create become a painting. It is really rewarding to see how the proper placement of light can transform any property.” said Lentz.
Lentz Landscape Lighting is a member of the American Lighting Association, Better Business Bureau, and North Texas Builders Association. For more information: lentzlighting.com or 972.241.0622.
