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One great aspect of Christmas Light installation, is being able to prep materials ahead of time to make installs quick!
There are quite a few methods you can use to prep materials, and the best one will end up depending on what materials you are using, and what you like the best. Here is the process we use, along with a few other options. We do not recommend bulbing lights at the job.
Our Process
When we close an estimate, we print out an image of the house, with the runs already planned out, measured, and color coded.
Next we go ahead and cut the runs with an extra 5LF of wire beyond what we measured, and mark the middle and/or end of the line with tape. We either use colored tape with the color coordinating to the picture we printed, or we use masking tape, and use a sharpie to mark them accordingly.
As we put bulbs and clips on, we coil the strand and add a loose zip tie after every 4-5 coils. Once the full strand is done, we add another loose zip tie to secure the coils together. By doing this, it creates an incredibly easy system for someone to get on the roof, cut open the main zip tie, and cut the zip ties one by one whenever they need more line.
Since we have everything coiled, and in sections, we can use plastic totes to store/transport them. We put plugs on, and run bare wire on-site.
Other Options
Lots of people do not cut runs ahead of time, and instead pre-bulb large quantities of lights that can be cut at the job site. It’s important if you go this route, to make sure they are stored in a way that they will not get tangled. You can use a 44 gallon trash bin with a cone in the middle to coil strands around, which can help.
If you are using clips that can be installed after bulbs, you can also use either of these methods but save the clips for when you are installing. This makes the lines much less prone to tangling.
(We do recommend clips that are secured at the base of the bulb and can not just clip on. They are much sturdier, and will not fall off / stay on the house during take down)
Material Checklist
It is a great idea to create a checklist, to make sure that you have everything you need when preparing materials for a job. Here is what we use. (This is just for materials, make sure you don’t forget any of your equipment!)
- Every strand of lights
- Bare Wire spool
- Plenty of male & female plugs
- Extra bulbs (the correct color)
- Extra clips
- Zip Ties
- Duck & masking tape
- Timer
- A few scrap strands of socketed wire
- House print out
