TwinkleBid

Business checklist · updated October 2026

Starting a Christmas light installation business

Most installers are landscapers, roofers or handymen filling the slow season. The work is short and intense: sell in September–October, install in November–December, take down in January. Get the checks, pricing and quoting set before the first call.

Season calendar

WhenWhat happens
August–SeptemberOrder product, set prices and terms, contact last year's customers.
September–OctoberMeasure and quote, collect deposits, route jobs by area and height.
November–mid DecemberInstall, test timers and power, handle service calls.
JanuaryTakedown, inventory and storage, rebook for next season.

Checklist before the first install

  1. Licensing and registration: requirements differ by state, county and city, and some areas treat electrical work separately. Confirm locally before you sell.
  2. Insurance: ask your agent about general liability, workers' compensation for employees and commercial auto for crew vehicles.
  3. Crew safety: ladder selection, setup and fall protection. See OSHA's ladder safety resources.
  4. Product: commercial-grade strands, clips and timers; decide whether customers lease or buy.
  5. Pricing: a per-foot rate from your own production and costs. Follow the step-by-step pricing formula.
  6. Terms: deposit, balance due date, service-call policy, takedown date, storage and damage exclusions — in writing on every estimate.
  7. Quoting workflow: measure manually by section (field measurement guide), then price the same way every time with a price book.

Where the money is

  • Repeat customers: leased product and a stored design make next year's install faster.
  • Packages: Good / Better / Best options lift the average job without pressure.
  • Commercial accounts: storefronts and HOAs book early and repeat.
  • Off-season pairing: lawn care in summer, lights in fall, snow removal in winter.
Quote faster on site. TwinkleBid is an iPhone app for independent installers: enter your footage and quantities, get Good/Better/Best options and a branded PDF estimate, offline and without an account. First complete quote free, then $19.99 one time. View TwinkleBid on the App Store

FAQ

When should a Christmas light installation business start selling?

Selling and quoting usually happens in September and October, installation runs from early November into December, and takedown happens in January. Booking early lets you schedule crews by area and roof height.

Is Christmas light installation a good add-on for a landscaping business?

It is a common off-season service for landscaping and lawn-care companies because they already have crews, trucks, ladders and a customer list during a slow season. Snow removal is the other common winter service.

What do I need before the first install?

Check business licensing and insurance requirements for your state and city, set ladder and fall-protection practices for your crew, choose commercial-grade product and a lease-or-sell policy, and write down pricing, deposit, service-call and takedown terms.

This checklist is general information, not legal, insurance or tax advice.