Master the Art of Landscaping Christmas Lights: Pricing, Marketing, and Installation Tips

The Comprehensive Guide to Christmas Light Installation for Landscaping Professionals

Key Takeaways:

Is It Worth Adding Christmas Light Installation to Your Services?

Most people don't know this, but hanging Christmas lights isn't just a chore for homeowners—it can also be a lucrative off-season business for landscaping professionals. Based on the results of a recent discussion within a landscaping community, there are varying opinions. While some find it impractical and would never consider offering it, others see an enormous financial upside. For instance, some professionals have clients spending 6-9k on holiday displays. So, should you consider it? Think about it as an experiment. Maybe try it for one season and see how it goes.

Pricing: How Much Should You Charge?

First, let's dive into pricing. According to one professional, lights cost about $2 per foot. Now for the other part of the story: labor. Most people charge between $5-9 per foot. One piece of advice is to "figure out your price per ft labor/materials and break out your ladder." The pricing model can also vary. Some professionals own the lights and lease them out to clients year after year. In contrast, others sell the lights to the customer in the first year and charge only for labor in the following years.

Marketing: How to Get the Word Out

In my experience, Facebook groups can be a goldmine of information and potential clients. One comment points out there are "plenty of Facebook groups with loads of info." But don't limit yourself to social media. Leverage your existing lawn care clientele, as they already trust you and may be willing to try out your new service.

Installation: What You Need to Know

Let me explain why proper installation is crucial: it can make or break your venture. First, make sure you're insured. A warning from one professional is, "Better have insurance for that if a house starts on fire; your will be sued. Everyone sues today." Secondly, do you want to know how to actually get started? According to another pro, it's straightforward. "It's very simple to start. The first job will pay for materials for the next five jobs," they note.

Warranty and Customer Service

Let's dig a little deeper into this. Offering a warranty or some form of guarantee can set you apart from competitors. Not only does it offer peace of mind to your customers, but it also adds credibility to your service. Most people don't know this, but a warranty can also serve as a powerful marketing tool.

Sourcing Materials and Training Staff

Do you want to know how to source materials? One professional mentions sourcing materials locally from places like Ewing Irrigation. And as if that's not enough, training your staff is equally critical. After all, they'll be the ones scaling ladders and handling installations, so they need to know what they're doing.

Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary

Should You Go For It?

To make a point: if you're surrounded by potential customers willing to drop thousands on Christmas light displays and if you're willing to invest in training and equipment, this venture could be a gold mine.

And there you have it! Whether you decide to add Christmas light installation to your roster of services or not, at least now you're equipped with all the facts. Do I have your attention? Great, let's go make some magic this holiday season!