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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Christmas light installation industry continues to grow, offering incredible opportunities for entrepreneurs willing to embrace both its challenges and rewards. Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your existing operation, understanding how to scale effectively while maintaining quality service is crucial for long-term success.
When to Start Scaling
One of the most common questions in the Christmas light installation business is when to start scaling. The signs that it's time to grow aren't always obvious, but certain indicators should catch your attention.
If you find yourself sitting on a roof for 45 minutes answering phone calls instead of installing lights, that's a clear signal you need help. As one successful installer noted, "I was sitting at the same spot for 45 minutes because I keep having all these phone calls coming in." This situation not only reduces your productivity but also impacts your ability to provide quality service to existing customers.
The revenue threshold can also guide your scaling decisions. Most solo operators can handle between $100,000 to $200,000 in annual revenue with minimal help. Beyond this point, trying to maintain operations alone becomes increasingly difficult and potentially dangerous due to rushing between jobs.
Another key indicator is booking out too early in the season. While it might seem great to be fully booked through November, this often means your prices are too low. When you're booked solid early, you're likely leaving money on the table and missing out on higher-paying last-minute customers who typically appear after Halloween.
First Hiring Decisions
When scaling your operation, your first hire should be someone to handle phone calls and customer service. This position is crucial as they become the voice and face of your company. Many successful operators find that hiring women for customer service roles can be particularly effective, as they often excel at understanding customer needs and selling the experience rather than just the service.
"The most important position is the person that answers the phone," as one industry veteran puts it. "They are the face of your company... you want to make sure that you get someone that has some attitude with them, like a good attitude and can talk friendly with people."
When it comes to installation crews, start by creating detailed training procedures. Document everything through videos and written materials. This investment in training materials pays off as you continue to grow, allowing new hires to review procedures independently rather than requiring constant supervision.
Equipment and Infrastructure
Making smart decisions about equipment is crucial for sustainable growth. While many dream of a fleet of new vehicles, successful operators often recommend starting with what you have. One successful installer shared that he started with a Toyota Camry, adding a ladder rack to make it work. The key is to match your equipment to your business model and growth stage.
For those ready to invest in vehicles, the choice between vans and trucks with trailers often depends on your existing business model:
- Cargo vans work well for dedicated light installation businesses
- Trucks and trailers might make more sense if you're also running a landscaping operation
- Consider your crew's driving experience - not everyone is comfortable maneuvering trailers
Operations Management
Efficient operations become increasingly important as you scale. Route optimization and territory management can significantly impact your bottom line. One successful approach is to target specific neighborhoods and build density in those areas rather than traveling across town for individual jobs.
"Focus on neighborhoods," advises one veteran installer. "There's enough homes that if you get into a neighborhood, you can keep doing more and more of those." This strategy not only reduces drive time but also increases referral opportunities and makes service calls more efficient.
Inventory management becomes crucial as you grow. While a $5,000 initial investment in materials might seem substantial, it can disappear quickly once jobs start rolling in. Develop systems to track:
- Materials allocated to each job
- Inventory levels across multiple crews
- Reorder points for popular items
- Storage and organization systems
Communication Systems
Perhaps the most critical aspect of scaling successfully is developing robust communication systems. This includes both external communication with customers and internal communication with your team.
Successful businesses often maintain 50 or more touchpoints with customers throughout the year, from initial contact through post-season follow-up. These touchpoints might include:
- Initial inquiry response
- Quote delivery
- Installation scheduling
- Day-of-installation updates
- Quality checks
- Take-down scheduling
- Off-season maintenance communications
Internal communication is equally important. Create clear channels for:
- Safety concerns
- Job site challenges
- Schedule changes
- Inventory needs
- Quality control issues
Pricing Strategy for Growth
One common mistake when scaling is not adjusting prices appropriately. Many operators keep their prices too low for too long, making it difficult to sustain quality service as they grow. Remember that later-season customers (mid-November onward) often have higher budgets and are more concerned with getting the job done than finding the lowest price.
Consider implementing tiered pricing:
- Early season rates
- Peak season premium rates
- Rush job surcharges
- Commercial project rates
One installer shared that when he raised his prices from $4-5 per foot to $8 per foot, he found it was "about the same" difficulty to close sales. The lesson? Don't undervalue your service out of fear.
Future Growth Opportunities
The Christmas light installation industry continues to evolve, particularly with technological advances. Permanent lighting installations represent a growing segment of the market, with some installers reporting more calls for permanent installations than traditional seasonal lighting.
New opportunities include:
- Color-changing lighting systems
- Smart home integration
- Year-round decorative lighting
- Holiday-specific programming
Safety Considerations Throughout Scaling
As you scale your business, never compromise on safety. Heavy workloads and tight schedules can tempt crews to take shortcuts, but one accident can devastate your business and, more importantly, someone's life.
Key safety considerations include:
- Proper ladder and roof safety equipment
- Regular safety training
- Clear weather-related policies
- Equipment maintenance schedules
- Communication protocols for dangerous situations
Scaling a Christmas light installation business requires careful balance between growth and quality service. Success comes from:
- Recognizing the right time to scale
- Making strategic hiring decisions
- Investing in proper equipment and systems
- Maintaining strong communication
- Implementing appropriate pricing strategies
- Never compromising on safety
Remember that it's never too late to start or scale your Christmas light installation business. Some of the most successful operators started as late as mid-November and still built thriving enterprises. The key is to learn from each season, document your processes, and continuously improve your operations.
Whether you're aiming to grow from solo operator to multiple crews or from local service to regional provider, focus on building sustainable systems that can support your growth. Your success in scaling will depend not just on how many lights you can install, but on how well you can maintain quality, safety, and customer satisfaction as you grow.
Most importantly, don't get discouraged if your phone isn't ringing before November 1st. The season has natural rhythms, and understanding these patterns will help you plan your growth effectively. With proper planning, systems, and execution, your Christmas light installation business can scale successfully while maintaining the quality that got you started in the first place.
Q1: When is the right time to hire my first employee?
A: It's time to hire when you find yourself consistently unable to handle phone calls while installing, missing appointments, or if you're reaching $100,000-$200,000 in annual revenue as a solo operator. A key indicator is spending excessive time answering calls while on job sites instead of completing installations.
Q2: What should be my first hire in a Christmas light installation business?
A: Your first hire should be someone to handle phone calls and customer service. This person becomes the face of your company and is crucial for maintaining customer relationships. Many successful operators find that hiring someone who is naturally personable and good at communication is essential for this role.
Q3: Do I need to buy a new van or truck to scale my business?
A: No, you don't need to start with new vehicles. Many successful operators started with personal vehicles (even a Toyota Camry with a ladder rack). As you grow, choose vehicles based on your business model - cargo vans work well for dedicated light installation businesses, while trucks and trailers might make more sense if you're also running a landscaping operation.
Q4: When should I raise my prices?
A: You should raise your prices when you're consistently booking out too early in the season (like through the end of November) or if you're unable to meet demand. Many operators find they can successfully raise prices from $4-5 per foot to $8+ per foot without losing customers, especially during peak season.
Q5: Is it too late to start a Christmas light installation business in November?
A: No, it's not too late. Some successful operators have started as late as mid-November and still achieved significant revenue ($40,000+ in their first partial season). Starting late in the season can actually provide valuable experience and photos for marketing the following year.
Q6: How do I manage multiple crews efficiently?
A: Efficient crew management requires documented processes, training videos, clear communication systems, and route optimization. Focus on specific neighborhoods rather than spreading crews across town, and implement inventory management systems to track materials across teams.
Q7: What percentage of customers typically return the following year?
A: Most established Christmas light installation businesses see a 70-80% customer return rate. First-year businesses might see slightly lower rates, but as you build a solid customer base and provide quality service, return rates typically increase.
Q8: How do I handle commercial jobs while maintaining residential installations?
A: Plan commercial installations carefully by grouping larger jobs together and assigning your most experienced crews. For week-long commercial installations, either dedicate a specific crew or schedule them during slower periods to avoid impacting residential installations.
Q9: What are the essential safety requirements for scaling?
A: Essential safety requirements include proper ladder and roof safety equipment, regular safety training, clear weather-related policies, equipment maintenance schedules, and communication protocols for dangerous situations. Never compromise safety for speed or growth.
Q10: How many customer touchpoints should I have throughout the year?
A: Successful businesses maintain approximately 50 touchpoints with customers throughout the year, including initial inquiry response, quote delivery, installation scheduling, day-of-installation updates, quality checks, take-down scheduling, and off-season maintenance communications. This helps maintain customer relationships and ensures repeat business.
Feel free to reference these FAQs on your website, social media, or customer communications. These questions and answers can help potential customers understand your business better and demonstrate your expertise in the industry.
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