Below are the materials we feel you should have available on every truck in order for you to run a successful operation. Each site you visit has its own challenges and you don’t want to be left out in the cold not having the correct materials.
Portable GFCI
Stapler
It is very important to have a quality stapler or staplers on each of your vehicles. Staplers will be used for roof line lights where stapling is your last resort as well as certain tree wraps. We recommend the above Dewalt or something similar that has the metal guide. SPT-1, SPT-2 and mini lights fit perfectly in this guide helping to prevent you from putting a staple through the wire.
Cordless Glue Gun
A cordless glue gun will be essential when you are needing to hide cords or run cords across sidewalk cracks. They can also be used for securing lights when you have no other way to secure them. When securing lights, you do not want to glue on painted surfaces or stucco. Doing so will take the paint and stucco off when removed. A cordless glue gun gives you the ability to not have to find a power source and saves you time and money when doing installs. The Ryobi above is great and has a battery pack that is interchangeable with all their other products.
Pliers/Dikes
You will want to have several of these bad boys on your vehicles. Just a heads up, these will get lost by your installers. Unfortunately it is just part of doing business. They can easily fall out, get set down and be forgotten about. If you are lucky, you may find them when you go out for take downs but don’t count on it. A color coating system for each item can help you determine who the culprit is and hopefully mitigate it from continuing to happen.
Nylon Cable Ties
Depending on your labeling system, you may want to stock up on all colors of zip ties. In our schematics lesson, we discuss using colored zip ties for labeling your projects. Zip ties are mainly used for labeling your light line for your schematics and securing c9 bundles during takedown. It is important to make sure that you purchase zip ties that are UV coated so they don’t become brittle and break off prematurely.
Electrical Tape
Electrical tape can be used in several different applications. In most cases, it will be used on wire that has been punctured by a staple or has exposed copper. If the exposure is severe enough, it is wise to replace that section or the entire wire. Electrical tape should never be used to wrap connections. This has the opposite effect and traps moisture in not allowing the trapped moisture to dry itself out. Do not ever tape connections.
Utility Knives
If you purchased mini lights with tags, Utility knives become your best friend when cutting the tags off. Make sure your installers take their time doing this so they don’t accidently cut the wire.
Extension Pole
Extension poles will be a very important part of both your install and your takedowns. When doing an outside wrap on a tree canopy, you will use an extension pole with a bent paint roller or the easy elf system to place the lights. Extension poles will also play a huge role in takedowns. Your goal when doing installs is to attach the lights and power cords on the roof line in a way that allows you to do takedown with just an extension pole. Not all houses will fall into this category but the ones that do, will save you’re time and money when your not having to grab the ladders off the truck.
3-Way Adaptors
3-way adaptors are an essential part of your install. You will want to use these any time you have multiple runs to one outlet. If you are plugging the 3-way into a timer, be sure you check your timer’s amp capacity and avoid overloading the timer. We recommend the 3-way pictured above because when creating an extension cord with male and female plugs, the x-wire comes out the side and trying to plug these in side by side is really difficult and sometimes impossible.
Hammer/Mallet
Both a hammer and mallet are useful tools and each serve their own purpose. Hammers can be used for hammering in stakes for large trees while maillots can be used for light stakes.
Tape Measure
Tape measure’s will mainly be used during the bidding process. In order to give accurate quotes, you will want to do your best to measure the areas you are decorating. A cloth measure tape will be used when you are pricing out trees. Trees are the number spot you will lose money if you are not bidding them properly.
Cordless Drill
Cordless drill will be used on many occasions. It is best to go cordless so you don’t have to worry about finding power at the location you are drilling.
Hand Broom and Dustpan
Hand brooms and dustpans come in handy on a job site to ensure you maintain your professionalism and your crews don’t leave behind unwanted items such as staples, twist ties, garland shavings and anything else that needs to be discarded.
Flashlights/Headlamps
For any nighttime installs, flashlights will become your workers best friend. We recommend using the head flashlights like the one shown above which will allow your workers to have two free hands when doing installations.
Caulking Gun
Caulking Guns will be used to fill any holes that you may have needed to make on your installs. Anytime you drill into a house, you want to ensure the hole is completely sealed so no moisture can make its way in.
Extension Cords for Crew (each person)
You may encounter some larger installs where you will need a thicker gauge wire. It is always a good idea to have a few of these on each truck for backup. These can also be used as the initial temporary power they use when they arrive at a jobsite and start their installation.
Trash Bags
You will want each of your crews to have several of these on each truck to help prevent your truck bed from becoming their trash can. On new installs, you will also have several packages and items you will need to discard.
Wall Anchors
You may not need these on every install but you may encounter a time when you will need them in the field. It is always good to have some available on each truck.
Screwdriver
Screwdrivers may come in handy in certain situations where the drill driver won’t work.
Tool Belts
Tool belts are a great way to hold all sorts of Christmas Light items. Beyond just carrying tools, they are great for holding males/females connectors, replacement bulbs and other smaller items you may need on the job site.