How to Start Christmas Lights Installation Business
As the end of the year approaches, anxiety grows to prepare the house for Christmas celebrations. And in times of pandemic, it would be no different! After all, the lights and the color can contribute to bring more joy to the home in times of social isolation, in addition to yielding good and fun family moments.
It is already part of the Christmas tradition to use lights to beautify and illuminate homes, shops and city streets at the end of the year. But just as important as celebrating parties is remembering electrical safety precautions. It is also prudent to know how to choose the most economical and efficient type of lighting. So that the ornaments are not the cause of accidents, such as electric shocks, short circuits and fires and do not generate unnecessary consumption expenses, care must be taken in their installation, maintenance and operation.
What a joy to walk in a neighborhood all lit up for the Christmas party! If you want your home to help spark the Christmas spirit in your neighborhood, you are spoiled for choice in the type and style of decorative lights. Even the type of clamp to hang the fairy lights from your gutters will influence the end result.
That said, as exciting as the idea of a lighted roof may be, few homeowners are comfortable climbing high and installing lights. To help you, we share with you our tips for starting Christmas lights installation business.
Christmas is the perfect time to shine a light on your garden.
Learn how to start your Christmas lights installation business, find and retain customers, and follow safety regulations in your area.
In summary:
- Why Start?
- How to Start
- Types of Christmas Lights
- Types of Roofing Clips for Christmas Lights
- Creative Ideas for Your Christmas Lights
- How to install Christmas lights
- Mistakes to Avoid
- Conclusion
Why Start?
It is no doubt difficult to start a business from scratch, but on the one hand, there is no doubt that if you are persistent and focused, you will surely succeed in your new business.
If you don’t have everything you need to get out of a paid job and you really want to start your own business, you can use your free time to start a business, and there are several businesses you can start from scratch while still maintaining a paid job. …
One such venture is the Christmas lights installation business. Although light installation is a seasonal business, it is a business that can generate additional income for you. This type of business is suitable for those looking to build multiple lines of income as well as those familiar with jewelry.
Before starting any business, the rule of thumb is that you should do your market research, economic and value analysis and of course feasibility studies. You need to make sure that you have real reasons why you want to do your chosen business. If you do it right before starting your Christmas lights installation business, it won’t take long until you secure enough corporate clients to give you leverage in the industry.
So, if you are all about to start installing Christmas lights, you need to read this article and you will be knowledgeable and well-versed in the intricacies of the business. You can start your own Christmas lights installation business from a small town in the United States, and if you’re consistent and creative, your brand will soon become a nationwide brand, especially if you choose to work for government contractors and other corporate clients throughout the United States of America.
How to Start
Due to the characteristic risk of the Christmas lights installation business, it is recommended to carry out market research actions to assess demand and competition in the place where you will operate.
It is very important to make a survey of the demand for your type of service and assess whether the share of available customers makes your venture economically viable. Analyze the main competitors and look for the reason why customers seek these services, and, based on the criteria listed, define their differential and their selling point.
In order to earn its place in the market, it is essential to offer differentials, such as quality service, good pre and post-sale service, service guarantee, adequate structure and easy access location.
- Ideal location
It cannot be overstated that the location you choose to start your business is the key to the success of the business. Therefore, entrepreneurs are willing to rent or lease an object in a visible location; a place with high business activity and households with the necessary purchasing power and lifestyle.
Most importantly, before choosing a location for your Christmas lights installation business, make sure that you first conduct a thorough feasibility study and market survey. It cannot be ruled out that you will come across a similar business that will simply close the store in the place where you want to open yours. This is why it is very important to gather as many facts and figures as possible before choosing a location to start your own Christmas light installation business.
Here are some of the key factors that you should consider before choosing a location for your Christmas lights installation business;
- Demographics of the site in relation to churches and Christian populations.
- Demand for services for installing a Christmas lights in a location
- The purchasing power of residents and businesses in the location
- Location availability
- Number of Christmas lights installation companies and other interior and exterior service players who also install Christmas lights in this location
- Local laws and regulations in the community
- Traffic, parking and security
- Insurance
Contact the agency in your state or county that regulates electricity contracts. While it may seem like installing a few Christmas lights isn’t a big deal, electrical safety is important. You may need to get a contractor’s license to be able to add even temporary outdoor lighting.
Get several insurance quotes from different agencies. Discuss your options for liability insurance. If you work alone, your expenses will be much less than if you had to hire employees, because you wouldn’t need workers’ compensation insurance. Having a few quotes lets you choose based on price or additional features, such as online account management, or more user-friendly payment schedules.
Usually, running a business requires you to be careful when it comes to marketing your products or services. If you decide to start a Christmas lights installation business, you must make every effort to use strategies that will help you attract customers, otherwise you, most likely, you will be fighting the business because there are famous brands that determine the direction of the market for Christmas.
In reality, your marketing strategy will focus on detail, reliability, speed, safety, price, thoroughness, and above all, excellent customer service. You need to make sure that whenever your clients hire your services, they receive excellent service. The truth is, if you can apply the above, you won’t struggle to keep your old customers and win new customers at the same time.
Companies these days are realizing the power of the Internet and that is why they will do their best to maximize the Internet to promote their services. In other words, a larger percentage of your marketing efforts will go to Internet users.
These are some of the marketing ideas and strategies you can use for your Christmas lights installation business;
- Introduce your Christmas lights installation business by sending introductory letters along with your brochure to government agencies, households, property managers, corporate organizations, small businesses, medium-sized businesses, churches and other key stakeholders throughout the city where your Christmas light installation business is located.
- Advertising on the Internet on blogs and forums as well as on social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn to get your message across
- Create a basic website for your business to have an online presence
- Direct marketing of your service
- Engage in roadshows from time to time in targeted business communities to advertise your Christmas lights installation business
- Join local associations of Christmas lights owners to learn about industry trends
- Join local chambers of commerce to promote your services
- Advertise your business in community newspapers, local TV and radio companies
- Register your company on yellow classifieds pages (local directories)
- Encourage the use of word of mouth marketing (referrals)
- Advertise on both print (newspapers and related magazines) and electronic media platforms
- Sponsor relevant events in the community
- Use internet platforms and social media like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google + and others to promote your Christmas lights installation business
- Install your billboards in strategic locations throughout your city or state
- Engage in roadshows from time to time in targeted residential areas to raise awareness of your Christmas lights installation business
- Distribute your flyers and handbills in targeted areas
- Connect with churches, households, corporate organizations, small businesses, midsize businesses and other key stakeholders throughout the city where your Christmas lights installation business is located. Let them know about your installation company and the services you offer
- List your Christmas tree planting company in local directories / yellow pages. Advertise your Christmas lights installation business on their official website and use their strategies to help you drive traffic to your site
- Make sure all your employees wear your branded shirts and all your vehicles and vans are branded with your company logo
Types of Christmas Lights
Are you drawn to the clean whiteness of LED bulbs, or do you prefer the traditional warm charm of incandescent bulbs? Whatever your style, always choose lights intended for outdoor use.
- Incandescent bulbs
Incandescent bulbs are less expensive than LED bulbs, but they use more electricity, generate more heat, and pose a greater risk of fire. Their higher power consumption also means that you can only plug three to six games into the same power outlet, while you can line up a lot more LEDs. However, these bulbs emit more intense light and create a warmer effect than LED bulbs. Incandescent bulbs often spark a sense of nostalgia in those who grew up before LEDs first hit the market.
- LED bulbs
LED bulbs use less energy, which means your electric bill will suffer less and you will be able to plug more of them into one outlet. Few homes have more than two outdoor outlets, so the choice of LED bulbs is a must if you want a large-scale Christmas decor. In theory, up to 25 LED string lights can be plugged into a single outlet, but in practice that number will vary depending on your home and the lights you choose.
Not all “white” LED bulbs are the same shade of white; some are bluish and others are yellowish. So it’s important to buy all of your LED string lights at the same time, including replacement bulbs, as the manufacturer may offer a slightly different tone next year.
- Battery operated lights
Those who don’t have enough outdoor outlets can get battery-powered light sets. Look for a waterproof battery case. If you can’t find one, you’ll need to protect the non-waterproof case from snow and rain. It’s also a good idea to invest in rechargeable batteries, as most of these games run on AA batteries which are unlikely to last a whole season.
Types of Roofing Clips for Christmas Lights
When installing string lights on a roof, do not use any fasteners (nails, staples, or screws) that punctures the shingle or any other roof feature. A hole, no matter how small, can cause a roof leak. Likewise, small holes in a gutter could allow water to drain where it isn’t needed, while a perforated eave edge can rot. If you haven’t already, it’s best to familiarize yourself with the different parts of a roof and its surrounds before installing your Christmas lights.
But how can you install fairy lights without perforating the shingles? The solution is to use plastic clips specifically designed to grab onto gutters without leaving permanent marks. These clamps allow you to achieve an ambitious decoration, with as many anchor points as necessary, without riddling your roof with holes.
Where the edge of the roof does not have gutters, attach the clips to the drip edge or shingles, avoiding lifting the latter to the point of compromising their adhesion to the underlying course, and without ever perforating the shingles or the shingles facing. You could also attach the clips to the exterior wall of the house with self-adhesive strips. Just make sure you don’t puncture anything.
The type of edging on your roof will guide your choice of clips and lights.
- Single hooks: You just have to insert the string of the garland into the hooks. The clip hooks onto the edge of the gutter.
- Wire Clips: These clips also hold the garland wire, but their grip is tighter. They are ideal for ice cube or cord type lights, which do not have bulbs requiring special orientation. They hang on the edge of the gutter.
- Pliers of lamps: These clamps hold each bulb in place, for maximum accuracy. They create an impeccable result, because they orient all the bulbs in the same direction. Choose the format suitable for the size of your bulbs. Before you buy them, you will also need to decide if you want your bulbs to point down, up, or out. In addition, some models require the bulb to be unscrewed to unhook the clamp, which is quite labor intensive, but also helps to secure the lights more securely in very windy areas. These clamps are installed on gutters or drip holes.
- Ridge Clamps: This type of clamp is usually installed by professionals since you have to climb close to the ridge of the roof to install them, which can be quite a challenge. They are installed at the top of the roof by hanging them on the edge of the shingles.
Other types of Christmas light clips should be avoided, as they can compromise the integrity of your roof. For example, we recommend not to use clamps that get stuck under the shingles. Decorating for the holidays doesn’t justify taking the risk of lifting your shingles. Also avoid clips designed to hang on balcony railings, they won’t hold up well on a roof.
Christmas roof light styles
On to the fun stuff! There are a variety of styles of Christmas lights on the market. This includes a few new things, like the water drop shaped bulbs or twinkling light strings. We suggest you combine different kinds of lights to create a dynamic whole.
- Glowing Icicles: This type of light show is most popular for roofs, as it mimics the look of glittering icicles. These “ice cubes” are available in different lengths and colors. If you go for long ice cubes, make sure they aren’t likely to get caught in a door or window. If you have to choose only one kind of light, the ice cubes
- Luminous Water Drops: This type of light is relatively new. Each is like a single ice cube. You can use them in places where a full garland would be overkill. You can also combine them to form a garland. The teardrop type lights give you the freedom to illuminate unusual places. Try hanging a few from your mailbox or under your windows.
- Miniature Garlands: Although these lights are the most popular for decorating Christmas trees, they are very subtle on a roof because they have low lighting. Their small bulbs consume little energy.
- Large bulbs: As you can imagine, large bulbs are more conspicuous and use more energy. Often they feature unique textures or colors. They are also found in unusual shapes, such as snowflakes, hearts or reindeer. Their format also ensures that their flashing, cascading or color changing effects are easily visible from across the street.
- Mini Wide Beam LED Bulbs: For some, LED bulbs are not bright enough, especially when viewed from the side. But these have a shape designed to cast their light to the sides, making them appear brighter without consuming more power. These lights are a good compromise for those who want a very bright decor without consuming too much electricity.
- RGB LED Lights: If you want the Christmas lights on your roof to match a wreath, reindeer, or other decorative item, this type of lights could be the way to go. These programmable lights let you choose from 16 million colors. However, some hues like browns and pinks can be difficult to achieve.
- String lights and light cords: Lightstrings are thick plastic tubes in which light bulbs are inserted. The advantage of light cords is that they can easily be wrapped around various objects or given unique shapes, without having to fix each bulb. They are fun and flexible! You can use them to write wishes on your lawn or to brighten up your holiday decor. However, their bulbs are not very bright because they do not project their light in all directions. It is better to make it an accent lighting rather than the main element of your decor.
Creative Ideas for Your Christmas Lights
Christmas lights on your roof are a great way to showcase your sense of style, as well as create a holiday atmosphere just like you. All your guests will notice your illuminated decorations. Will they feel like they’ve been invited to a warmly heartwarming traditional celebration? To enter a kingdom of bluish snow or even a huge gingerbread house? Whatever your style, here are some tips to bring it to light.
- Single row
Good news for those who don’t like climbing a grand ladder: you don’t have to add lights on the second floor to get a nice effect.
This house proves it well, you don’t have to climb dangerously high or cover the entire roof to make an impressive light set. In fact, many homeowners install lamps or wreaths on upstairs windows to complement their decor, instead of installing lights atop the roof.
Simplicity is also a great choice of style. Try to choose only one type of bulb for your roof. For a traditional effect, opt for large white bulbs.
- Simple contours
Some choose to outline all the details of the roof in Christmas lights. They thus underline the silhouette of the roof so that the house seems to come out of a picture book.
Others choose to create simple outlines in one color. Adding a few colorful elements or flashing lights can add variety.
- Point of convergence
Most successful Christmas decorations have one thing in common: a focal point to which all eyes are drawn. This focus is accentuated by the symmetry of the decorations. Very often this focal point is the main door of the house. The owners surround the two pillars or shrubs framing their door with lights.
Without a focal point or if there are too many lights, a Christmas decor can easily appear overloaded.
In addition, some houses are asymmetrical. In general, the architect found a way to compensate for this imbalance, sometimes even with landscaping elements, to harmonize the two sides of the house. Failure to do the same with your light decorations may make your decor appear uneven. How do you balance a bright decor? Take a step back to get an overview of your home. If one side seems heavier than the other, remove some items from the “heavier” side or add more on the other side. By balancing your lights in this way, the whole will seem complete.
- Color
Color is a matter of controversy in the world of Christmas lights. While some swear by multicolored mixtures, others refuse to even imagine anything other than white. If you fall in between these two extremes, you might be wondering how to make your decor interesting without overdoing the colors. Here are some ideas.
If you are installing a multi-colored garland, use only one kind, making sure that the bulbs of one color are all the same shade.
Or, combine the multicolored garland with a monochrome garland using one of its colors. For example, you could combine a purple, orange, and blue garland with another all-blue garland.
You can’t go wrong with installing white, red and green Christmas lights. If you want to include an unconventional color like purple, orange, or pink, go for it in moderation. As for blue, opinions differ – not everyone considers it a traditional Christmas color.
But at the end of the day, it’s your client taste that matters, because it’s their roof!
How to install Christmas lights
- Make a plan
Once you have a general idea of what type of lights and where to hang them, you need to measure your roof. So you will know exactly how many garlands you need to buy. If you are new to working at heights, learn about the safe use of ladders first, as you will need one to measure your roof. An extension ladder will allow you to climb higher than a regular ladder. Otherwise, you can make a rough estimate and get more string lights than you need. In season, it’s usually easy to return the ones you won’t be using to the store. Also keep in mind that too many lights plugged into one outlet can be dangerous. Decide in advance which ones will be plugged into each available outlet.
- Prepare your material
After purchasing your lights, you should turn them on for about an hour to check that no bulbs are burnt out or damaged. It is much more complicated to replace a bulb already installed on the roof.
You will need the following accessories:
- Clips for hanging lights on the roof.
- Outdoor extensions.
- Adhesive tape to secure the extensions to the floor.
- Sturdy shoes.
- Hang up your lights
A word of caution: Hundreds of accidents occur each year when installing Christmas lights on a roof. Be accompanied by another person throughout the installation. Never install your lights when snow or ice is visible on the roof or on the ground, or in rainy weather. Always obey the building codes in force, the rules of safety and safe use of a ladder. Home improvement stores sell personal safety equipment for working on a ladder as well as accessories for using a ladder without damaging the home.
- Step 1: Always work in the company of another person – trust us, you will need it. Before getting on the ladder, attach a few clamps to the first bulbs or sections of wire (depending on the type of clamps). It’s easier to work with a shorter garland, so don’t connect several together beforehand.
- Step 2: Locate the outdoor power outlet, plug in your extension cords, and start installing the lights at the point closest to the outlet. This ensures that your extension cord will reach the socket. However, do not turn on the bulbs until you are finished, as they can get very hot.
- Step 3: Position the ladder well and climb carefully. Attach the clips to the gutter with one hand, to maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times. If one comes off the garland, have the person helping you put it back on.
- Step 4: Keep the distance between the clamps short enough that the wire is straight and taut, especially in the case of bright ice cubes. Thus, the bulbs will precisely follow the edge of the roof.
- Step 5: As you walk along the roof, be careful never to work at arm’s length, as moving your center of gravity too far could tip the ladder. Move the ladder frequently.
- Step 6: Add clips or extra garland only when you are down to the ground, so you can use both hands.
- Step 7: In areas that don’t have a gutter, such as the edge of a gable, gently attach the clip to the drip edge or shingle. Never pierce any part of the roof with staples or nails.
- Step 8: If you need to reach an even higher place, you have two choices. Either you use a longer ladder or a pole designed to install lights, or you hire specialized equipment, like a boom lift. Never get on the roof.
How to hang your lights without a ladder
There are ways to install your Christmas lights without resorting to a ladder. The first solution is simple, it is a pole designed to install the lights.
Just attach the clips to the bulbs and place them one by one at the end of the pole. Then extend the arm to hook the clip to the edge of the gutter.
If this method turns you off or your roof is too high, you can hire a boom lift to reach your roof without a ladder. It will probably cost less than you think, but remember that it will have to be rented a second time to get your lights down. Sometimes the pod is the only safe way to reach the top of a steep roof.
Mistakes to Avoid
The month of December is coming and many people insist on decorating their homes with traditional flashers. But it is not enough to worry only about the beauty of colored lamps, it is also necessary to pay attention to safety. After all, a bad or misused material can cause a short circuit and, consequently, a fire.
To avoid taking risks when decorating the house, see 9 safety tips when handling the flashers:
1) At the time of purchase, the consumer must verify the origin and quality of the products. The ideal is to opt for manufacturers that have a good after-sales service, that is, that offer guidance in case of doubts and that carry out the exchange of the product when a manufacturing defect is found;
2) If you want to take advantage of the decoration of the previous year, you must check the conditions in which the material is;
3) It is important to take care not to cause an overload on the power grid. Many luminous Christmas ornaments have high energy consumption and can cause breakdowns in the energy frame, among other disorders. If the decoration is large, consult a professional in the area;
4) One of the most frequent errors is the wrong installation of the blinkers. The combination of many different types of products can create visual confusion and, especially, an environment conducive to short circuits;
5) Whoever wants to decorate the exterior of the house should look for the products indicated for this. This information (“external use”) is usually highlighted on the packaging;
6) When making splices, use suitable tapes. Never insulate with plastic tape, masking tape, tape or similar. In case of doubt, ask the seller of the electrical supply store for the best option for splicing internal or external use;
7) Do not use adapters to connect several decorative sets to the same outlet, as it can generate an overload on the network, causing overheating and even a short circuit in the installation. Prefer to use line filters of 3 to 6 outlets, which have a fuse protection, option to turn on and off all the turn signals daily and protection against electrical surges;
8) Only turn on the equipment after all the lighting is installed. If you need to tamper with the wiring or the lamps, unplug the equipment from the outlet;
9) For those who want to save on the electricity bill, there are products with LED technology, which have low energy consumption, greater durability and do not heat up. Another interesting option is the schedulers, who prevent the Christmas lights from working at unnecessary times.
Conclusion
Starting your own Christmas light installation business implies making your own commitment, as it is a project in which we put great effort to obtain the best results. In this sense, it is not only about wanting to do it, but about wanting and starting to make it a reality and all of this requires deep planning that allows us to build the map through which we are going to walk with our enterprise.
Therefore, each of our business ideas is designed for you to modify and accommodate according to your conditions and objectives, since each profile is different and market conditions may vary in regions and times.
Remember that these ideas can be supplemented with our advice section, where you will find a large number of guides and tools to continue strengthening your business idea.
The first step is always the most difficult, if you got this far, you have already taken it. What are you waiting to continue?