Step by Step Christmas Light Install Process

This is the Christmas Light installation process we use. Your process might look different depending on how you prep your materials, however this is still a great guide to follow.

Before Starting

1. Check your materials and equipment for the job to make sure you have everything you need, as well as some extras just in case
2. Let the customer know when you are on your way and arriving
3. Do a walk around the house to plan out bare wire runs, this will dictate where and how you will make your connections
   1. You should run one power line for every 200 or so bulbs
   2. If you are using a timer, make sure you have enough sockets and that your photocell will get light
4. Test every outlet you plan on using 
5. Lay out lines nearby where they are going to be installed
6. Check your safety equipment and put it on

Installation

1. Always start installation with the strand that will connect to the power linesome text
   1. The power line will need to come down the house and into the timer, which means you need a male on the end that goes into the timer, and a female on the end that your first strand plugs into
   2. This method will help you keep track of what plugs to put where and prevent a strand from ending up with a double male
2. If you are starting on the roof or high up on a ladder, go ahead and get to your starting point with parachord and hoist up your first strand (If it’s large/heavy)some text
   1. You can start your strands on top of peaks if you have extra strand accounted for, having a bulb at the very top center of the peak is a nice touch
3. Install the entire first strand before running the power line (the weight could pull your strand down)
4. Continue strand-by-strand using your vampire plugs (and bare wire if needed) to make connections as you go, ensuring your male plugs are always going towards the power
5. Make sure if you end any lines, you are properly covering the cut wire as you go (weatherproof wire caps)
6. Once you have finished an entire run, connect bare wire to your starting strand, and run it down to the timersome text
   1. We do not hide the bare wire yet, just in case we need to make any adjustments
7. Plug the run in, and do a complete walk around to check for any bulbs or strands that are not litsome text
   1. Turn off the power before going to fix anything or making adjustments
8. Repeat steps 1-7 for any additional runs
9. Hide power lines as best as possible behind gutters or along siding

Before Leaving

1. Turn on the lights
2. Make sure you do a full sweep of the area and pick up any trash/scrap material
3. Tidy up your equipment (we do not put anything away just in case the customer needs adjustments)
4. Show the customer the finished projectsome text
   1. At this point we take the final payment
   2. Discuss scheduling and expectations for take down
   3. Let them know they can not plug anything else into the timer
   4. Show them how to operate the timer, and set it to dusk/dawn
5. If you can, or you are nearby, drive by at night for a great picture!

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