C9 & C7 Socket Spools & Stringers
Discover our premium collection of socket wire spools and stringers, the essential foundation for creating stunning light displays. Designed for both professional installers and ambitious homeowners, our range includes bulk C7 and C9 socket wire spools with flexible spacing options, pre-made light stringers for quick setups, and convenient accessories like spool holders. These versatile, durable components are perfect for residential rooflines, enchanting tree displays, and large-scale commercial projects. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and compatible with both incandescent and LED bulbs, our professional-grade products offer the quality and flexibility needed to bring your creative lighting visions to life. Explore our selection and elevate your illumination projects with unmatched versatility and reliability.
Socket Spools
Our C9 1000' Bulk Spool of Socket Wire, available in green or white, offers professional-grade flexibility for custom lighting projects. With spacing options from 6" to 48", it's ideal for both residential rooflines (12-15" spacing) and tree installations (24-48" spacing). The durable SPT-1 wire withstands outdoor conditions and is compatible with both incandescent and LED C9 bulbs. This customizable spool allows for precise length cutting, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency for high-quality, adaptable lighting displays.
C9 500' Socket Spool
Our C9 500' Bulk Spool of Green Wire, available with 12" (500 sockets) or 15" (400 sockets) spacing, is perfect for professional-grade Christmas lighting installations. Featuring commercial-quality SPT-1, 8-amp wire and durable E17 sockets, this customizable spool is ideal for large-scale outdoor projects. Easily cut to desired lengths and pair with snap-on plugs (sold separately) for tailored lighting solutions in both residential and commercial settings. The 12" spacing offers vibrant, balanced lighting, while the 15" option provides a classic look with fewer bulbs per run.
C9 1000' 12"&15" Socket Wire Spool (SPT-2)
Our C9 1000' Socket Wire Spool (SPT-2) offers professional-grade flexibility with dual 12" and 15" spacing options. This customizable spool features heavy-duty SPT-2 wire for enhanced durability in all weather conditions. The 12" spacing is perfect for dense, vibrant displays on rooflines and pathways, while the 15" option provides a classic look with fewer bulbs per run. Compatible with both incandescent and LED C9 bulbs, this 1000' spool allows for precise cutting to fit any residential or commercial lighting project, ensuring efficient and long-lasting installations.
C7 1000' Green Wire Socket Spool (SPT-2)
Our 1000' bulk spool of green SPT-2 wire features 15" spacing with 1000 C7 sockets, ideal for commercial and residential outdoor displays. This 8-amp (960-watt) commercial-grade wire with Admiral Brand sockets allows for custom-length installations using snap-on plugs (sold separately). Suitable for indoor/outdoor use, it accommodates up to 160 sockets with 5-watt incandescent bulbs or 384 sockets with 1-watt LED bulbs per run. This versatile, durable C7 light line is perfect for creating professional-quality lighting displays in various settings.
Our C7 1000' Bulk Spool of Socket Wire offers professional-grade flexibility for custom lighting projects. Available in green or white, with spacing options from 12" to 36", it's ideal for both residential rooflines (12-15" spacing) and tree installations (24-36" spacing). The durable SPT-1 wire withstands outdoor conditions and is compatible with both incandescent and LED C7 bulbs. This customizable spool allows for precise length cutting, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency for high-quality, adaptable lighting displays in various settings.
The Fastest Way to Install Holiday Lights on Metal Surfaces. Save time and effort this holiday season with Magnetic Spools. Designed for quick and easy installation, these magnetic spools are perfect for decorating your home or office building. The magnetic sockets eliminate the need for traditional mounting clips, making your installations faster and more efficient. Whether you’re lining rooflines, gutters, or fences, these spools are ideal for any surface where ferrous metal is present.
Available in 500' & 250', 12" or 15" Spacing.
Our 25', 50' or 100' Holiday Light String features professional-grade, UV-protected 18-gauge wire with sockets spaced 12" apart. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, these UL-recognized strings offer 5 Amp capacity SPT-1 insulation and durable sockets with weep holes for all-weather performance. Compatible with E12 Candelabra base bulbs (C7, C9, G30; sold separately), these versatile strings allow end-to-end connectivity for extended displays. Perfect for holiday decorations, event lighting, and year-round use in residential and commercial settings. Available in Green, White, Brown and Black.
C7 12" Spacing Socket Wire Stringers
Our professional-grade 25', 50' or 100' light string features sockets spaced 12" apart, perfect for commercial and residential decorators. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use, it's compatible with incandescent or LED C7, G30, and G40 bulbs (sold separately). The SPT-1 insulated wire offers 5 Amp capacity and includes weep-hole sockets for all-weather performance. With male and female plugs for end-to-end connections, these UL-recognized strings can handle up to 480 watts per run. Ideal for holiday displays, patio lighting, and year-round events, these durable strings ensure long-lasting, brilliant illumination for any occasion. Available in Green, White, Brown and Black.
cket wire spools are bulk reels of wire with sockets at regular intervals, allowing for custom-length cuts. Stringers are pre-cut lengths of socket wire, typically with plugs attached, ready for immediate use.
No, C7 and C9 bulbs require different socket sizes. Always check the product specifications to ensure you're using the correct socket wire for your chosen bulb type.
Common spacings are 12", 15", and 24". Use closer spacing (12"-15") for dense, vibrant displays on rooflines or fences. Wider spacing (24" or more) works well for tree wrapping or creating a more subtle effect.
Most of our socket wires are rated for both indoor and outdoor use. Look for products labeled as "weatherproof" or "outdoor-rated" for the best durability in external conditions.
This depends on the wire's amperage rating and the wattage of your bulbs. For example, on an 8-amp wire, you can typically run up to 160 sockets with 5-watt incandescent bulbs or 384 sockets with 1-watt LED bulbs. Always check the product specifications and local electrical codes for safe operation.
In the competitive world of professional Christmas lights installation, many business owners focus extensively on the technical aspects—learning about bulb types, installation techniques, and design principles. While these skills are undoubtedly important, they're not what separates successful businesses from those that struggle. The real difference lies in understanding the business side of your Christmas lights operation.
As someone who has coached countless Christmas lights and pressure washing entrepreneurs to seven-figure businesses, I've identified two critical numbers that will dramatically impact your growth potential. These aren't complicated metrics requiring advanced accounting knowledge—they're straightforward numbers that anyone can track and improve.
The two most important numbers you need to monitor consistently are:
1. Average Ticket Value
2. Close Rate
Let's dive deep into why these metrics matter so much and how improving them can completely transform your Christmas lights installation business.
Your average ticket is simply the total revenue divided by the number of jobs completed. For instance, if you completed 20 jobs this month and generated $40,000 in revenue, your average ticket is $2,000.
Many Christmas lights installers casually estimate their average ticket: "It's between $800 and $1,200." But this vague approximation indicates you don't truly know your numbers. When you calculate it precisely, you'll likely find it's either significantly higher or lower than you thought.
For Christmas lights installation, your average ticket should be at least $1,500+. If your average is below this threshold, you're leaving significant money on the table and working harder than necessary.
I've coached installers who built businesses with average tickets exceeding $2,800 on residential projects alone. This didn't come from occasional commercial whale projects—it came from strategic pricing and packaging of residential services.
When you increase your average ticket, you can:
1. Work less while maintaining or increasing revenue. Completing 30 jobs at $2,000 each generates more revenue than 60 jobs at $900 each—with half the travel time, setup/teardown, and administrative work.
2. Reduce overhead costs. Fewer jobs mean lower fuel costs, less equipment wear and tear, and reduced chemical/material expenses.
3. Lower your risk profile. Every Christmas lights installation carries inherent risks—from ladder accidents to property damage. By doing fewer, higher-value jobs, you reduce your overall exposure to these risks.
4. Create more time for high-value activities. With fewer jobs on your schedule, you gain time for business development, marketing, and strategic planning.
5. Deal with fewer problem customers. The 80/20 rule applies perfectly here—20% of customers typically create 80% of headaches. Fewer total customers mean fewer problem customers.
Here are proven strategies to boost your average ticket value:
Instead of offering simple roofline lighting, create comprehensive packages that include:
- Front of house lighting (8-10 dollars per foot)
- Custom wreaths ($400-500)
- Ground lighting around walkways and landscape features
- Tree wrapping
- Yard decorations
When you present these as cohesive packages rather than à la carte options, customers perceive greater value and are more likely to spend more.
Create three distinct service tiers:
- Good: Basic lighting package (roofline, simple features)
- Better: Enhanced package with added features (roofline, premium bulbs, wreath, some ground lighting)
- Best: Premium comprehensive package (full home coverage, custom features, premium products)
This pricing psychology works because most customers will select the middle option—which should be priced significantly higher than your current average ticket.
When customers understand the value they're receiving—professional installation, premium products, hassle-free service, expert design—they're willing to pay more. Communicate this value clearly during sales conversations.
One installer I coached increased his average ticket by 35% simply by restructuring his packages and focusing his sales pitch on the premium experience rather than the basic service.
Your close rate is the percentage of quotes that convert to paying jobs. It's calculated by dividing the number of jobs won by the total number of quotes provided.
Many Christmas lights installers are proud of their high close rates—90% or higher—but this is actually a warning sign. A close rate that high typically means your prices are too low.
For Christmas lights installation, your optimal close rate should be between 10% and 20%. This might seem counterintuitive, but it's based on a fundamental business principle: you don't want or need every potential customer.
A 10-20% close rate indicates that:
1. Your prices reflect the premium value you provide
2. You're targeting the right customer segment (those who value quality over bargain pricing)
3. You're not competing solely on price with lower-quality providers
There's an inverse relationship between your close rate and your prices. As you raise prices, your close rate will naturally decrease—but your profitability will increase if you find the right balance.
Consider this example:
- Scenario A: 90% close rate with a $500 average ticket = $45,000 revenue from 100 quotes
- Scenario B: 15% close rate with a $2,000 average ticket = $30,000 revenue from 100 quotes
At first glance, Scenario A appears better—more revenue from the same number of quotes. But when you factor in the reduced workload (15 jobs vs. 90 jobs), lower operational costs, and decreased risk exposure, Scenario B offers far greater profitability and sustainability.
The 80/20 principle applies powerfully here: 20% of customers typically provide 80% of your revenue—and they're usually your highest-paying, least problematic clients.
By pricing strategically to target this top 20%, you:
1. Work with clients who truly value your expertise
2. Reduce headaches from price-sensitive customers
3. Create a sustainable business model that doesn't burn you out
4. Build a reputation as a premium service provider
To reach that 10-20% sweet spot:
If your close rate exceeds 50%, systematically increase your prices until you reach the optimal range. This doesn't mean arbitrary price hikes—it means aligning your pricing with the premium value you provide.
When quoting higher prices, your sales approach becomes more important. Focus on:
- Understanding client needs through thoughtful questioning
- Educating prospects about the value differences between quality installation and budget options
- Creating visual proposals that showcase your premium design approach
- Emphasizing safety, reliability, and hassle-free service
Your marketing efforts should focus on neighborhoods and areas where homeowners have both the means and desire for premium holiday lighting. This strategic targeting naturally aligns your close rate with the right customer base.
Knowing these numbers is just the starting point—you need to actively track and work to improve them.
Review your average ticket and close rate:
- Weekly during peak season
- Monthly year-round
- Quarterly for trend analysis
- Annually for strategic planning
Most CRM systems can generate these reports automatically. If yours doesn't, create a simple spreadsheet to track:
- Quote date
- Quote amount
- Whether it converted to a sale
- Final invoice amount
Once you know your current metrics, set specific improvement goals:
- "Increase average ticket from $800 to $1,000 this season"
- "Adjust close rate from 70% to 40% while increasing average ticket by 50%"
These concrete targets give you something to work toward and measure your progress against.
Compare your metrics across different seasons and years. This historical data helps you:
- Identify which months have the highest potential for premium sales
- Recognize when you need to adjust pricing or marketing strategies
- Plan your resources more effectively for busier periods
The Pareto Principle (80/20 rule) applies powerfully to Christmas lights installation:
- 20% of your customers generate 80% of your revenue
- 20% of your customers create 80% of your problems
- 20% of your marketing efforts produce 80% of your leads
By understanding this principle, you can focus your energy on the clients, services, and marketing channels that deliver the greatest return.
One final critical point: follow-up is essential to converting premium customers. The saying "If you don't follow up, you'll fold up" is absolutely true in this business.
Implement a systematic follow-up process:
- Send text messages to check decision status
- Make phone calls to answer any questions
- Provide additional information that addresses specific concerns
- Follow up with past customers to secure repeat business
One installer generated $18,000 in additional revenue simply by sending 50 text messages to past customers—a five-minute task that yielded significant returns.
The path to a profitable, sustainable Christmas lights installation business isn't through working harder—it's through working smarter by understanding and optimizing these two critical numbers.
When you increase your average ticket value while maintaining a strategic close rate, you create a business model that:
1. Maximizes your profit per hour worked
2. Reduces physical strain and burnout risk
3. Positions you as a premium service provider
4. Creates a sustainable growth trajectory
Christmas lights installation can be a highly profitable seasonal business that complements pressure washing or other home services. By focusing on these two numbers—average ticket and close rate—you'll build a business that not only survives but thrives for years to come.
Remember: Don't compete on price; compete on value. The customers worth having will recognize and pay for the difference.
Answer: The two most critical numbers every Christmas lights installer should track are your average ticket value and your close rate. Your average ticket is the total revenue divided by the number of jobs completed, while your close rate is the percentage of quotes that convert to paying jobs. Together, these metrics provide powerful insights into your business's health and growth potential.
Answer: For a profitable Christmas lights installation business, your average ticket should be at least $1,500 or higher. Many successful installers maintain average tickets of $2,000-$2,800 for residential projects. If your average ticket is below $1,500, you're likely leaving significant money on the table and working harder than necessary to achieve your revenue goals.
Answer: While a high close rate might seem positive, a close rate of 90% typically indicates your prices are too low. For Christmas lights installation, the optimal close rate should be between 10-20%. This lower rate shows you're targeting the right customer segment (those who value quality over bargain pricing) and charging appropriately for the premium service you provide. Remember: you don't want or need every potential customer.
Answer: You can increase your average ticket by:
- Bundling services (combining roofline lighting with wreaths, ground lighting, tree wrapping, etc.)
- Implementing tier pricing (good, better, best options)
- Charging appropriately for premium services (8-10 dollars per foot for lights)
- Adding high-value elements like custom wreaths ($400-500)
- Focusing your sales pitch on value rather than price
- Offering comprehensive packages rather than à la carte options
Answer: Yes, raising prices will reduce your close rate—and that's actually the goal. By finding the right balance between price and close rate, you'll work with fewer, higher-quality customers who value your expertise. This allows you to do less work for the same or better revenue while reducing overhead costs, minimizing risk exposure, and creating more time for high-value business activities.
Answer: You should review your average ticket and close rate:
- Weekly during peak season
- Monthly year-round
- Quarterly for trend analysis
- Annually for strategic planning
Regular monitoring helps you identify trends, set improvement targets, and make data-driven decisions about pricing and marketing strategies.
Answer: Generally, small jobs under $1,000 are not worth pursuing for professional Christmas lights installers. Each job carries setup costs, travel time, administrative work, and risk exposure regardless of size. By focusing on higher-value projects, you can maintain or increase revenue while significantly reducing your workload and operational costs. The goal is to maximize your profit per hour worked.
Answer: The 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) applies powerfully to Christmas lights installation:
- 20% of your customers generate 80% of your revenue
- 20% of your customers create 80% of your problems
- 20% of your marketing efforts produce 80% of your leads
By understanding this principle, you can focus your energy on the clients, services, and marketing channels that deliver the greatest return.
Answer: Follow-up is absolutely critical to converting premium customers. Without systematic follow-up, you're leaving significant money on the table. Implement a process that includes text messages, phone calls, and emails to check decision status and address specific concerns. Follow up with past customers to secure repeat business as well. One installer generated $18,000 in additional revenue simply by sending 50 text messages to past customers.
Answer: Yes, you absolutely can charge $8-10 per foot in virtually any market if you position yourself as a premium service provider. While some installers claim their market won't support these rates, others in the same geographical areas successfully charge premium prices. The difference lies in marketing strategy, target customer base, and the ability to communicate value rather than competing on price. Customers who value quality, convenience, and expertise will pay premium rates for exceptional service.
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