Professional-Grade Wires and Plugs

for Custom Lighting Solutions

Welcome to our comprehensive collection of high-quality wires and plugs, designed to empower both professional installers and passionate DIY enthusiasts. These essential components form the foundation of any exceptional lighting display, offering the versatility and durability needed to bring your creative visions to life. From bulk spools of SPT-1 and SPT-2 wire to weather-resistant Gilbert plugs and convenient end caps, our range caters to all your custom lighting needs. Whether you're crafting intricate holiday displays, enhancing landscape lighting, or tackling large-scale commercial projects, our professional-grade wires and plugs ensure reliable performance and seamless integration. Explore our selection and discover the perfect electrical components to elevate your lighting installations, combining safety, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal in every project.

SPT 1 Wire & Plugs

250' Zip Cord (SPT-1)

Enhance your lighting installations with our versatile 250' Spool of Lamp Cord SPT-1 Extension Wire (Zip Cord), perfect for both professional and DIY decorators. This 18-gauge, 2-conductor wire, rated for 8 amps or 960 watts, allows you to easily create custom extension cords, add jumper wires, or extend C9 and C7 stringers for rooflines and holiday displays. Its durable design suits both indoor and outdoor applications, offering reliable performance for small to large-scale projects. Available in Green, White, Brown, and Black, this easy-to-work-with zip cord provides the flexibility and durability needed for creating custom lighting solutions in any setting.

500' Green Zip Cord (SPT-1)

Our 500' Spool of Green Lamp Cord SPT-1 Extension Wire (Zip Cord) offers versatile solutions for custom lighting setups. This 18-gauge, 2-conductor wire, rated at 8 Amps or 960 Watts, is perfect for creating personalized extension cords, adding jumper wires to rooflines, or extending C9 and C7 stringers. Compatible with our SPT-1 male and female plugs (sold separately), this durable wire is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Whether you're a professional installer or a DIY enthusiast, this 500' spool provides ample length for various lighting projects, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in your custom lighting designs.

1000' Green Zip Cord (SPT-1)

Our 1000' Spool of Green Lamp Cord SPT-1 Extension Wire (Zip Cord) is a high-quality, 18-gauge, 2-conductor wire is perfect for creating custom extension cords, adding jumper wires to rooflines, or extending C9 and C7 stringers. Rated for 8 amps or 960 watts, it offers reliable performance for both residential and commercial projects. The green color blends seamlessly with outdoor foliage and durable design suits both indoor and outdoor use. Ideal for professional installers and DIY enthusiasts alike, this generous 1000' spool provides ample wire for customization, ensuring you have the right length for any project.

Male Gilbert Plugs SPT-1

Enhance your custom Christmas lighting projects with our SPT-1 Gilbert Male Zip Plugs, available in green, white, brown, and black. These high-quality, weather-resistant plugs are specifically designed for use with SPT-1 zip cord, making them ideal for creating custom light strings and extension cords. Featuring a 2-prong polarized design for safety and stability, these plugs are constructed from heavy-duty plastic to withstand harsh winter conditions. Unlike standard options, our male zip plugs resist bending or breaking in cold weather, ensuring straight and reliable prongs throughout the season. Perfect for both professional installers and DIY enthusiasts, these durable plugs are essential for creating long-lasting, custom Christmas light displays that perform flawlessly in any environment.

Female Gilbert Plugs SPT-1

(with Knockout Tab)

Elevate your custom Christmas lighting projects with our Female Gilbert SPT-1 Zip Plugs featuring a knockout tab, available in green, white, brown, and black. Specifically designed for SPT-1 zip cord, these durable plugs are ideal for creating reliable custom light strings and extension cords. The 2-prong polarized design ensures secure connections, while the heavy-duty plastic construction withstands harsh outdoor conditions. Unlike standard options, these plugs resist bending in cold weather, making them perfect for winter installations. Whether you're connecting light strands end-to-end or crafting custom extensions, these resilient female zip plugs offer superior performance for both professional and DIY Christmas lighting setups.

Gilbert ONE Plugs SPT-1

(with Knockout Tab)

Simplify your Christmas light installation with The One Plug, which connects two wires directly—no separate male and female plugs needed. This innovative design saves time, making your setup faster and more efficient. Built with durable plastic and sturdy prongs, it's designed to last throughout the season, ensuring reliability for any lighting project. Perfect for anyone looking to streamline their holiday light displays with ease and dependability.

SPT 2 Wires & Plugs

250' Zip Cord (SPT-2)

This versatile 18-gauge, 2-conductor wire is engineered for both professional installers and DIY enthusiasts, offering the durability and flexibility needed for creating custom extension cords, adding jumper wires to rooflines, or extending C9 and C7 stringers. Rated for 8 amps or 960 watts, this robust SPT-2 wire ensures powerful and safe connections for all your lighting needs. Its weather-resistant properties make it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, allowing you to bring your creative holiday lighting visions to life in any setting. Whether you're working on a small residential project or a large-scale commercial installation, our SPT-2 Extension Wire provides the reliability and performance required to create stunning, long-lasting Christmas light displays. Available in green, white, brown & black.

Male Plugs (SPT-2)

Elevate your custom lighting projects with our superior Male zip plugs, engineered for exceptional performance in even the harshest conditions. Unlike standard options, these plugs boast prongs that resist bending in cold weather, ensuring reliable connections throughout the winter season. Perfectly suited for creating custom Christmas light strings or tailored extension cords, these plugs attach effortlessly to the end of zip cord electrical wire. The green SPT-2 male zip plugs are specifically designed to complement green SPT-2 zip cord, offering a seamless and professional appearance. Featuring a 2-prong polarized design for safety and stability, these plugs are constructed from heavy-duty plastic to withstand the rigors of both indoor and outdoor use. Available in green and black.

Female Plugs

(with Knockout Tab (SPT-2)

Enhance your custom lighting projects with our premium Female Gilbert SPT-2 zip plugs, designed for superior performance in all weather conditions. Unlike standard options, these plugs feature prongs that maintain their integrity even in frigid temperatures, ensuring reliable connections throughout the winter season. Perfect for creating custom Christmas light stringers or bespoke extension cords, these versatile plugs attach effortlessly to zip cord wire, allowing you to connect strands end-to-end with ease. The white SPT-2 female zip plugs are specifically tailored to complement white SPT-2 zip cord electrical wire, providing a seamless and professional appearance. Equipped with a 2-prong polarized design for safety and stability, these plugs are constructed from heavy-duty plastic..

Male & Female Plugs

10 Pack (SPT-2)

Elevate your custom lighting projects with our top-of-the-line Male & Female zip plugs, engineered for unparalleled performance in all weather conditions. Unlike standard options, these plugs feature prongs that resist bending even in frigid temperatures, ensuring reliable connections throughout the winter season. Perfect for crafting custom Christmas light stringers or bespoke extension cords, these versatile plugs attach seamlessly to zip cord wire, allowing for easy end-to-end strand connections. The black SPT-2 Male & Female zip plugs are specifically designed to complement black SPT-2 zip cord electrical wire, offering a sleek and professional appearance. Featuring a 2-prong polarized design for enhanced safety and stability, these plugs are constructed from heavy-duty plastic, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Gilbert One Plug SPT

The One Plug makes Christmas light installation a breeze by directly connecting two wires, eliminating the need for separate male and female plugs. Its efficient design saves time and speeds up your setup. Crafted from durable plastic with sturdy prongs, it's built to last all season, making it a dependable choice for any lighting project. Ideal for anyone wanting to simplify their holiday light displays with ease and confidence. Available in Green, White, Brown and Black

Misc

Wire Termination Cap

Enhance the safety and appearance of your lighting projects with our high-quality wire end caps, available in convenient bags of 10. These essential accessories are designed to protect the exposed ends of your wiring, preventing potential hazards and providing a clean, professional finish to your installations. Crafted from high-grade, durable materials, these end caps ensure long-lasting protection against moisture, dust, and accidental contact. Their user-friendly design allows for quick and easy application, making them ideal for both professional installers and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you're working on holiday lighting, landscape illumination, or any other wiring project, these end caps offer a simple yet effective solution for securing and safeguarding your wire ends, ensuring both safety and aesthetics in your electrical setups.

Gilbert One Plug

The One Plug makes Christmas light installation a breeze by directly connecting two wires, eliminating the need for separate male and female plugs. Its efficient design saves time and speeds up your setup. Crafted from durable plastic with sturdy prongs, it's built to last all season, making it a dependable choice for any lighting project. Ideal for anyone wanting to simplify their holiday light displays with ease and confidence. Available in Green, White, Brown and Black

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between SPT-1 and SPT-2 wire?

SPT-1 wire is thinner and more flexible, ideal for lighter-duty applications and tighter spaces. SPT-2 wire has thicker insulation, making it more durable and better suited for heavier-duty outdoor use and longer runs. Both are available for custom lighting projects, but SPT-2 is generally recommended for extensive outdoor installations.

Can I use these wires and plugs for both indoor and outdoor lighting projects?

Yes, our wires and plugs are designed for both indoor and outdoor use. They're constructed with weather-resistant materials to withstand various environmental conditions. However, always ensure proper installation and follow safety guidelines for outdoor electrical setups.

How do I choose the right color of wire and plugs for my project?

Choose wire and plug colors that match or complement your installation surface. Green wires blend well with foliage, white is great for light-colored surfaces, and black offers a sleek look against dark backgrounds. Matching colors also helps create a more professional, seamless appearance in your lighting display.

What's the advantage of using Gilbert plugs over standard plugs?

Gilbert plugs are known for their superior durability and cold weather performance. Unlike standard plugs, Gilbert plugs resist bending and breaking in low temperatures, making them ideal for outdoor winter installations. They also provide a more secure connection, reducing the risk of disconnection or electrical issues.

How many lights can I safely connect using your SPT-2 wire?

Our SPT-2 wire is typically rated for 8 amps or 960 watts. The number of lights you can safely connect depends on the wattage of your bulbs. For example, using 5-watt bulbs, you could connect up to 192 lights. Always check the wattage of your specific bulbs and never exceed the wire's rated capacity to ensure safety.

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Christmas Lights

Double Your Christmas Lights Profits: The 2 Numbers You Can’t Ignore!

February 25, 202512 min read

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.

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The Two Numbers That Will Transform Your Business

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.

Average Ticket Value: The Key to Working Less While Earning More

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.

What Should Your Christmas Lights Average Ticket Be?

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.

Why Higher Average Tickets Matter

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.

Christmas lights installation

How to Increase Your Average Ticket

Here are proven strategies to boost your average ticket value:

1. Bundle Services Strategically

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.

2. Implement Tier Pricing

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.

3. Focus on Value, Not Price

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.

Close Rate: Finding Your Sweet Spot

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.

The Ideal Close Rate for Christmas Lights Installation

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

The Relationship Between Close Rate and Pricing

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.

Why You Shouldn't Chase Every Customer

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

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How to Optimize Your Close Rate

To reach that 10-20% sweet spot:

1. Gradual Price Increases

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.

2. Improve Your Sales Approach

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

3. Target Higher-Value Neighborhoods

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.

Tracking and Improving These Metrics

Knowing these numbers is just the starting point—you need to actively track and work to improve them.

Regular Monitoring

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

Setting Improvement Targets

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.

Seasonal Analysis

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

Christmas lights installation

The 80/20 Rule in Christmas Lights Installation

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.

Following Up: The Difference Between Success and Failure

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.

Building a Sustainable Christmas Lights Business

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.

Christmas lights installation

What are the two most important numbers I should track in my Christmas lights business?

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.

What should my average ticket be for Christmas lights installation?

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.

My close rate is 90% - isn't that a good thing?

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.

How can I increase my average ticket value?

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

Won't raising my prices drive away customers?

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.

How often should I review my business metrics?

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.

Christmas lights installation

Is it worth doing small jobs for less than $1,000?

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.

How does the 80/20 rule apply to my Christmas lights business?

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.

How important is follow-up in the sales process?

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.

Can I really charge $8-10 per foot for Christmas lights in my area?

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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Jason Geiman

Jason Geiman parlayed his early passion for festive lighting into a thriving Christmas décor installation company which he founded and grew for over 4 years before selling the business in 2018. Now, he draws from his experience scaling a holiday lighting venture to help other Christmas lighting companies maximize their success. Jason feels compelled to share shortcuts he learned running his decoration operation. Jason has made it his mission to enable both residential and commercial clients to execute jaw-dropping lighting displays more easily. He loves experimenting with the latest high-tech LED bulb innovations to incorporate into his instructional programs and resources for those running their own Christmas lighting businesses. After selling his original company, he reinvented himself - driven as ever to spread seasonal magic, but now by helping others grow their holiday lighting ventures successfully. Follow Jason for regular tips on taking your Christmas lights business to the next level!

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