Marin Construction Lighting
We deliver solar and diesel light towers, hang string lights inside framed buildings and set balloon lights for crews working before sunrise or after dark.
Lighting a Marin job site
In December the sun sets before 5pm, and a crew under redwoods or on the north side of a ridge loses usable light even earlier. Interiors get dark as soon as the roof goes on and the windows are covered. Good lighting keeps the work safe and lets the schedule hold through the short months.
We rent LED light towers that run on solar or diesel, balloon lights that spread soft, glare-free light over a work area, and string lights for framing, drywall and finish work inside. LED units use far less fuel than the old metal-halide towers and reach full brightness as soon as they turn on.
Lights need a power source. Many interior strings plug straight into the panel on your builder’s pole, while larger setups may share a diesel generator on the lot. Solar towers need no fuel or cord at all, which helps on quiet streets and tight sites. On a hillside lot, we pick tower spots that sit flat and stay clear of the excavator’s swing, and a balloon light on a stand can go where a trailer will never fit.
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Light tower and lighting options
Each type of light has a job it does best. Most sites end up with a mix.
Solar LED towers
Silent and fuel-free. Good for quiet residential streets and long rentals where nobody wants to haul diesel.
Diesel LED towers
Bright and long-running, with a small engine that can also power a few tools through a built-in outlet.
Balloon lights
A glowing globe on a stand that spreads light evenly with almost no glare. Useful near homes and for close work.
Interior string lighting
LED strings hung through a framed building on their own circuits, so crews can see every corner of a room.
Metal-halide replacements
If your spec calls for metal-halide output, our LED towers match that brightness while using less fuel and turning on instantly.
Climate gear on the same circuits
Crews working nights in a closed building may also want a heater or a spot cooler. We plan the load so the lights and the climate gear share power without tripping.
Light tower rental cost
Expect most towers to cost $350 to $700 per week on a typical Marin job. String lighting and balloon lights are priced by the setup and the length of the rental.
- Solar or diesel tower
- Number of towers and balloon lights
- Feet of interior string lighting
- Fuel for diesel units
- Delivery access and setup time
We quote weekly or monthly with delivery, setup and pickup included. Fuel for diesel towers is billed separately.
How we set up site lighting
1. Plan the coverage
We look at the work areas, the hours and the neighbors, then pick towers, balloons or strings to match.
2. Deliver and place
We tow or carry the lights in, set the towers level and aim them so the light hits the work, not the street.
3. Wire and test
Strings go on dedicated circuits with GFCI protection. Diesel towers get fueled, and solar towers get checked for charge.
4. Check in on long rentals
On a rental that runs for months, we stop by to top off diesel towers, clean solar panels that have collected sawdust or leaf litter, and replace any string section a trade has knocked down.
5. Move and remove
As the job shifts, we move the lights. When it wraps, we take them all back out.
Jobs that need extra light
Lighting comes up on almost every winter project, and on any job with work that cannot wait for morning.
Short winter days
From November through February, crews lose an hour or more of daylight. Towers keep the last part of the day productive.
Interior framing and drywall
Once the walls and roof are up, the inside is dark. String lights give painters and tapers the even light they need to see flaws.
Early concrete pours
Pour crews often start before dawn to beat the heat or a truck schedule. A tower or balloon light covers the forms.
Storm and fire cleanup
After a winter storm or a slide, crews clearing debris and shoring a slope may work long hours. Towers let them keep going safely after the light fades.
Utility and road work
Some work in the right of way has to happen at night. Check with the town about hours and lighting rules before you schedule it.
Security after hours
A lit yard pairs well with cameras on a solar mast to discourage visitors at night.
Why builders call us for site lighting
We plan lighting around the work, so the tower points at the trench and away from the neighbors’ bedroom windows. As electricians we can also wire string lighting into proper circuits instead of chaining extension cords across the floor.
- LED towers in solar and diesel versions
- Balloon lights for low-glare work areas
- Interior string lighting wired to code
- Light aimed to keep glare off nearby homes
- Compact towers for narrow streets and driveways
- Weekly and monthly rentals with delivery
Questions about construction lighting
Are solar light towers bright enough?
For most residential and small commercial sites, yes. On short winter days with heavy fog, a diesel tower or a hybrid unit may hold up better through the night.
Can you keep light off my neighbors’ houses?
Yes. We aim towers down at the work and use balloon lights where glare would be a problem.
How many towers does a typical house site need?
One tower often covers a single-family pad and the driveway. A bigger lot, a long trench or work on two sides of the building can call for two or more. We figure that out on the site walk.
Do string lights need their own circuit?
They should. We wire them to dedicated GFCI circuits so a saw or a heater on the same line does not trip them.
Are there limits on night work in Marin towns?
Many towns set hours for construction noise and work. Check with your town’s building division or public works before planning night shifts.
Can a light tower run during a PSPS shutoff?
Solar and diesel towers carry their own power, so a shutoff does not affect them. String lights fed from the temp pole go dark with the grid unless a generator is hooked up.
How fast can you deliver?
Call us with your dates. We keep towers in stock and plan delivery around your schedule and road access.
Other equipment for Marin job sites
Price out Construction Lighting for your site
Call 415-707-8725 or send the form with the address and start date. You get a written quote, usually the same day.