we are thinking of putting in low voltage lighting as part of our landscaping plan. The contractor is insisting that conduits need to be run under the lawn surface and the low voltage wires are to go through these conduits. I always thought low voltage lighting wires could be put on lawn and covered with a light layer of soil or mulch. The presence or absence of conduits makes a big difference in costs. Moreover, if I put conduits, it will make it hard to make any changes to lighting patterns down the road. Is there a code or safety requirement to use conduits with low voltage lighting? Or is this a revenue enhancement mechanism for the contractor?
thanks.......