Local business · Melrose, MALocal business · 17 Hillside Ave, Melrose, MA 02176, USA
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Typical Greater Boston range for this kind of work, from regional averages — not a quote from Garden Aglow. Use it to sanity-check bids, then get the real number in writing.
Estimated range
$50 – $70
Typical landscaping service around $60
Eleven Google ratings, every one of them five stars, and the same first name running through nearly all of them: Heidi. Garden Aglow is a Melrose outfit that does one thing — make a property legible after dark — and the people who hired them write about the process as much as the finished look. The company says it was founded by landscape lighting designer Heidi Barraza, a certified lighting designer trained at Rutgers University, and describes itself as woman-owned and family-run. Its stated territory is Melrose plus a North Shore and inner-suburb belt: Winchester, Arlington, Medford, Stoneham, Wakefield, Reading, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Beverly and Salem among them. The work is design, installation, maintenance and the renovation of lighting systems that already exist. What customers keep describing is the fussing. In a March 2026 review, a homeowner wrote that the crew came back at night to confirm the lighting looked right once it was actually dark. A 2024 customer said that when the fixture they'd picked didn't produce the effect they wanted, Heidi returned several times with different solutions until it did. A 2023 project went the same way: options presented and adjusted to fit a budget, a crew careful with the lawn while trenching, and an evening spent aiming the fixtures after installation. The Melrose connection runs past the mailing address. A March 2026 review from the Beebe Estate describes Garden Aglow lighting the historic building for three holiday seasons, with a warm-white palette chosen to suit the architecture instead of flooding it. Another Melrose business owner referenced Heidi Barraza and Garden Aglow in a 2024 LinkedIn post, and the company appears in the Melrose Chamber of Commerce member directory. Two things are worth settling before you book. The "certified lighting designer" credential is the company's own statement — we have not checked it against any issuing body, so ask which certification it is and who granted it. And the town list is self-published; if you're outside it, confirm coverage rather than assume. The honest limit here is depth, not quality: the written history is short and lives almost entirely on Google, eleven reviews spread from mid-2023 through March 2026, with nothing negative in it. That is a consistent run, not a large one, so the rating is held below what a straight average would give. This is the call for a homeowner who wants a designed, low-glare system built around the trees and stonework they already have, and who values a designer who will come back at night to get the aim right. Confirm the town, the certification, and get the design proposal and fixture list in writing before the trenching starts.
“Fellow entrepeneur and Melrosian Heidi Barraza of Garden Aglow shared her new venture with me over a year ago”
Garden Aglow has been the trusted choice for illuminating the Beebe Estate in Melrose, Massachusetts, for the past three holiday seasons. Their expertise ensures that the historic home’s exterior is beautifully illuminated while preserving its architectural integrity. Heidi, the owner/designer, personally visited the property to identify the most captivating features. She recommended a soft, warm-white palette that perfectly replicates the ambiance of vintage candlelight, paying homage to the building’s rich history without overwhelming it with modern glare. If you’re seeking exceptional exterior lighting for your home, I highly recommend Garden Aglow.
We had such a wonderful experience with Garden Aglow! From the very beginning, they came to our home for a thoughtful consultation and really took the time to understand the look and feel we wanted for our outdoor space. The installation was incredibly professional, and what truly impressed me was their attention to detail—they even returned at night to make sure the lighting looked exactly right once it was dark. It’s absolutely worth investing in making your outdoor space feel special, and here in New England it’s so important to have high-quality products that can withstand our harsh weather. Garden Aglow clearly uses materials that are built to last. I’m already looking forward to spring and summer so we can fully enjoy our beautifully lit outdoor space. I highly recommend them!
Heidi is so talented and easy to work with. She designed exactly what we wanted and our backyard looks great!
Garden Aglow, a woman owned business, did an amazing job on our front yard lighting project. From the moment I reached out for a consultation to the final adjustments Heidi was engaged and personalized the experience. It started with the consultation, where we discussed our vision, that vision was transformed into a proposal with several options. We selected from one of the options, but we could not find the lighting solution/product for the effect we wanted. Heidi did not give up, she came several more times with various solutions until we were completely satisfied. Then the big day came for the install. The team was great and Heidi was right there with them ensuring our vision came to life. The team was very professional and diligent. It wasn't the easiest install on the portico, but they made sure it was seamless and it was like it had been there all along. After we experienced our new lighting for several weeks, Heidi ensured that we were completely satisfied and did not need any additional adjustments. I would recommend Garden Aglow, Heidi and her team. In fact, when we redo our backyard she will the first person I call for my lighting needs.
Simply, the best! Professional and very pleasant to work with. Honest and reasonably priced. Followed up after work was done to ensure satisfaction. Highly recommend!
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Certified attributes are verified against the public registry. Others are the business's own statement.
Added 11 new comments, added 55 new photos, established rating 3.9
Fixes others' failures4.3
Hardscape construction4.3