[villagetinker]

OP, not sure of some of your "don't" suggestions. You are suggesting adding a new outlet on the side of the home, why are you against adding the outlet at the post light? The post light tends to be much more convenient than other outlets as the post is already in the landscaping, and IMHO should cost less than adding a new outlet on the outside of the house, both are protected by GFCI.

I do not understand your concern about running the wire (landscape rated wire) in the stress crack cut in the driveways. I have done this several times after completely cleaning out the stress cut and taking appropriate precautions at each end to avoid having landscapers cut the wired with string trimmers. Is there another concern you have found?

I also use crimped connections with liquid tape and heat shrink tubing as I have had the insulation piercing type connections fail too often, these are then completely sealed connections.

I agree with most of your comments, but for the slightly higher cost, I tend to use the larger conductors to allow for future additional lights. I have also found that leaving additional cable at each light location allows for the future relocation of the lights as the landscaping grows.

Thank you for you comeents.