Outdoor Lighting Experts was founded by Mike Klepfer, a graduate of The Citadel (1995) and a former active-duty officer in the United States Air Force. This background in military service instilled a disciplined, detail-driven approach that defines every project we undertake. Before entering the world of architectural lighting, Mike led high-performing teams in the medical device and federal contracting industries, where he was trusted to deliver exceptional results through clear communication and hands-on leadership.
Today, Mike applies that same commitment to excellence to the landscapes of the Upstate. He personally oversees every project—from the initial design consultation to the final installation—ensuring that every client receives a thoughtful, professional-grade solution that enhances the beauty and safety of their home.
We bring a "mission-first" mentality to our work. That means showing up on time, respecting your property, and ensuring every fixture is positioned with mathematical precision.
Business is about more than profit; it’s about trust. Mike serves on the safety team at North Hills Church and, alongside his wife Heather, founded the Faith & Freedom Run to support efforts to stop sex trafficking.
With over two decades of leadership experience, we don't just install lights, we manage complex projects with a focus on long-term value and high-performance LED technology.
Mike has called the Upstate home since 2000, while his wife, Heather, has been a local for over 45 years. They reside in the Pebble Creek area of Greenville with their 10-year-old son, Zane. When he isn’t designing lighting systems, Mike is likely spending time with his family and their five rescued pets—one dog and four cats. Our deep roots in South Carolina drive our desire to treat every client’s home as if it were our own.
When you learn about Outdoor Lighting Experts, you’ll find that our goal is simple: to deliver exceptional craftsmanship and honest guidance. We believe in stewardship—treating your investment with the respect it deserves.
"My goal is to provide an outstanding customer experience on every job, ensuring your home is a beacon of safety and beauty for years to come."
Mike Klepfer, Founder
We believe our work speaks for itself, but our clients’ peace of mind is the ultimate measure of our success. From historic downtown estates to lakeside retreats, we are proud to be the Upstate’s highest-rated veteran-owned lighting specialists.
EXCELLENT Based on 25 reviews Posted on John RekersTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We decided recently to install tree/landscape lighting throughout our yard, although we had little experience with how to do this and didn't know exactly what we wanted. A neighbor of ours had recently done a similar thing and highly recommended Mike Klepfer and his company Outdoor Lighting Experts. Mike was responsive in quickly providing a preliminary idea of an overall plan, along with portable test lights that we could try out to get an idea of what we might want. We experimented for a few days with these lights, helping us to decide (with Mike's input) exactly what we wanted. We were very satisfied with the estimate. Mike also connected us with a professional electrician to install outdoor outlets we would need for the low voltage lightening controls. The work was completed in a timely and professional manner. It looks absolutely great! We are very happy with our experience with Mike and Outdoor Lighting Experts, and give our unqualified recommendation.Posted on Shannon SportsTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for lighting. Very knowledgeable was able to answer questions and exceed my expectationsPosted on KeithTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. OLE were fast, and delivered exactly what we wanted in our new backyard. The lighting added the perfect finish and the recommendations from Mike were spot on. He listened to what we wanted and made it better than we even imagined. Highly recommendPosted on Blake BridgesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mike and his team did an excellent job. It turns out our existing lighting setup was not ideal and required an overhaul. Mike's recommendations were spot-on and just what we needed. We also asked for a special set-up with our Control 4 system which he was able to accommodate. Everything from start to finish was professional. Highly recommended.Posted on Greg GunnTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We recently worked with Mike from Outdoor Lighting Experts and couldn’t be more impressed with the entire experience. From the very first interaction, Mike was timely, friendly, and highly professional. His knowledge of lighting design and installation was evident from the start, and he took the time to understand our vision while offering thoughtful suggestions to enhance the final result. The installation was handled efficiently and with great attention to detail. Mike was respectful of our property, and everything was completed exactly on schedule. The follow-up after the project was equally impressive—Mike made sure we were happy with the results and even made a few small adjustments to ensure everything was perfect. On top of all that, the pricing was very competitive for the quality of service and expertise we received. We highly recommend Outdoor Lighting Experts and would not hesitate to work with Mike again. An all-around outstanding experience!Posted on James ConwayTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My business partner and I own a landscape architecture firm in Travelers Rest. We use Mike for every job we can. He is very professional and does quality work. He understands his business and he knows what right looks like. He uses the highest quality lights on the market, and he installs them correctly. He is responsive to our clients' concerns, and he is great at making the lighting enhance the landscape.Posted on Francesca FriedTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very pleased with the work Mike did lighting up the front walk and driveway of our house, which was totally dark other than porch lights, and repairing some older fixtures that were causing problems. He listened closely, had helpful ideas and suggestions, did a great job clearly estimating and scheduling, and got everything installed just as promised. Excellent experience, and I am already thinking about future lighting projects!Posted on Thomas CreechTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great work! Mike with Outdoor Lighting Experts did an outstanding job with our outdoor lights repair replacement job. Highly recommend!!Posted on Scot SingletaryTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great working with these guys!Posted on Kevin PaitTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I used Outdoor Lighting Experts to upgrade my existing outdoor lighting system. I am very happy with the results and our home looks fantastic from both the street and lake view. The quotation was timely and fair. Installation was completed professionally and their customer focus is outstanding. I highly recommend this company.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
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