Whether you're ten seasons deep or gearing up for your first full install season, some truths just hit harder when you live on the roof. Here's our list of 8 undeniable things every professional Christmas light installer knows in their bones.
1. You’ve Developed "Ladder Legs"
You could scale a steep-pitched roof with a roll of C9s in each hand (not that we'd recommend that lack of safety).
But still, stairs feel weird now. So do escalators. So does standing on the ground. You wonder, when did ladders—these clumsy metal tools—start to feel like a natural extension of my legs? Welcome to the club. You're a home services professional.
Bonus points if you've ever eaten lunch on a roof.
2. You Have Strong Opinions About G30s vs. C9s
Smooth vs. faceted. Globe vs. traditional. Warm white vs. ice white. Ask five installers which bulb is better and you'll start a heated debate.
Suddenly, your stock depletes. You've run out of C9s halfway through the holiday season but you need to keep selling. It's time to switch to G30s.
Turns out your bulb loyalty can be broken in the heat of the moment.
💡 Pro Tip: Ask your customers whether they prefer G30s or C9s. The customer is always right.
3. You Can Spot Bad Roofline Jobs From a Mile Away
Uneven spacing? Inconsistent drop? Loose sag on the eaves?! It's offensive. You resist the urge to knock on the door and offer to "fix it real quick."
Your spouse starts to find it impossible to go on a neighborhood walk with you. "It looks fine to me," they say. But it's not fine to you. When did you get to be a snob for Christmas lights?
You're not being judgmental—you're just wired for clean lines.
4. Weather Forecasts Are Your Love Language
Rain delays. Wind warnings. You check the weather more than your texts. Your phone is a home screen of hourly forecasts. The sun is great, but overcast and dry is install perfection.
But next Thursday isn't looking great: -10°C...
Looks like you'll have to postpone Mrs. Jones' install again.
5. You Live in the "Last-Minute Light Panic" Zone
You’re booked solid from Halloween to mid-December but somehow people still think you have time on December 10th.
"Just something simple" they say. Sure, buddy.
6. Finding Good Crew Feels Like a Christmas Miracle
Everyone wants to help... until it's time to climb ladders in the cold. You've considered all the options. Referrals. Indeed. LinkedIn. Monster. Posting in random Facebook groups hoping someone is looking for work!
Reliable crew who show up on time, work smart, and don’t quit mid-season? Pure gold.
💡 Pro Tip: New to hiring? Check out our crew-building blog post.
7. You’ve Been Personally Victimized by a Squirrel
You secured the clips. You waterproofed the plugs. Then chew. Some furry gremlin turns your perfect install into a troubleshooting nightmare.
One of your customers call you in the middle of the night and demand a reinstall, as per her warranty. You take a deep breath before you tell her warranties don't cover squirrels.
RIP to the mini lights lost in the line of duty.
8. You’re Both Exhausted and Sick of Christmas Music
By mid-December, your knees hurt, your truck smells like pine needles, and if you hear "Jingle Bell Rock" one more time, you might lose it.
Your youngest kid keeps begging you to turn on Home Alone. You oblige—but not because you want to. Everyone can sense you'll turn into Ebenezer Scrooge before Christmas day.
But hey, those rooftops look GOOD.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Just Hanging Lights
You're building joy. And every time you level up your process, gear, or crew, you're making this wild, seasonal hustle just a little smoother.
Big Star Lights gets it—because most of us used to be you. That’s why our products are designed by professional installers to make your next job bulletproof.
Want Pro Tools that last? Explore Big Star Lights' catalogue of commercial-grade products.