Ahhh I see. I’m just doing a test run so I ran to Lowe’s and bought lights and clips.
I wouldn’t use box store lights. Too much headache and no house is going to end in 25’ increments perfectly.
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You wire each light individually? Are they the clip on connections?
My understanding is he buys this:
Cuts them to length. Plugs in bulbs to sockets and adds a plug.
I always wondered myself how this was done.
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@PointExteriors nailed it. The difference in cost is significant between the wires with bulbs already installed and the reel and bulbs separate. I was only installing 250-300’ at most per day so the night before I’d screw in all the bulbs while watching youtube or reading the forum.
It went faster than you’d imagine. Plus, I only offered warm white and blue and the houses were off sizes so I’d have to order 25’ to 100’ of socketed wire with the bulbs in them. By buying individual bulbs the cost savings were significant (2 brands through wintergreen, the expensive bulbs were the only option preinstalled), difficulty not much more than already assembled, and with employees/subcontractors next year one can be threading in bulbs while the other sets up a ladder and starts installing.
It’s so much easier to do with the clips already installed too so as long as you start the house with 20’ or so ready to go the ground guy threads in bulb and installs clips, the other hangs. I hope that makes sense.
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The initial pricing includes taking the lights down after Christmas? Or you do that separately?
Did you ever get yourself a bucket truck? I was also determined to never hang lights until I saw your thread…
