Starter kit: what the first paid job needs
Holiday lighting is ladder work, electrical sense and storage. The kit is ladders and safety gear, clips and timers, and a way to label and store each customer's lights for next year.
| Item | Why you need it | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-position ladder | Rooflines, porches and uneven ground | $535 (Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, Little Giant) |
| Articulating ladder for second stories | Higher rooflines and gables | $489 (Little Giant Conquest 2.0, Model 13, Little Giant) |
| Fall protection: harness, rope and roof anchors | Steep roofs and second stories | Varies by brand |
| Light pole for gutters and trees | Clipping from the ground where you can | Varies by brand |
| Nonconductive voltage tester | Checking outlets and circuits | $45 (Fluke 1AC II non-contact voltage tester, Fluke) |
| Outlet tester and a plug-in load checker | Avoiding tripped breakers | Varies by brand |
| Bulb tester | Finding dead strands before install | Varies by brand |
| Storage bins and labels | Each customer's lights ready for next year | Varies by brand |
Pro kit: what a busy shop adds
Add these when the calendar is full and the starter kit is slowing you down. Most holiday lighting installers buy them one at a time, when a job pays for one.
| Item | Why it pays | Price on the maker's site |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial grade wire spools and a crimp tool | Custom length runs that fit the roofline | Varies by brand |
| Extension ladder with standoff | Tall gables and commercial buildings | Varies by brand |
| Trailer or box truck | Carrying ladders and bins on a route | Varies by brand |
| Smart controllers and timers | Lights that turn on and off by themselves | Varies by brand |
| Bucket truck or lift rental | Trees and commercial work | Varies by brand |
Van stock: what you restock every week
Parts and supplies that let you finish on the first visit. Keep a short list on your phone and restock on the same day each week.
- All-purpose clips and gutter clips. Every install uses them.
- Spare bulbs in common colors. Replacing burned-out bulbs on service calls.
- Extension cords in several lengths. Getting power where it is needed.
- Outdoor timers. Most customers want one.
- Zip ties and stakes. Trees, bushes and walk lights.
- Electrical tape and weatherproof covers. Keeping connections dry.
What a holiday lighting kit costs
The 3 starter kit items we could price add up to $1,069 at the maker's listed price, out of 8 on the list. The rest vary too much by brand and size to give one honest number, so price them with your supplier.
None of the 5 pro kit items has one maker's list price we could check, because brands and sizes vary so much. Price them with your supplier.
Lights you supply and store swing the total most. Many installers start with customer-owned lights or a lease model and build inventory as the route fills.
Prices are the ones shown on each maker's own site on the date in the sources. Dealers and sales change them, so treat them as a starting point.
Where to buy it
Most holiday lighting installers buy hand tools and small parts wherever is closest, and set up a trade account for the items they buy every week. Our holiday lighting suppliers list names the distributors and pro programs for this trade, and the Home Depot Pro vs Lowe's Pro page compares the two big-box programs row by row.
With Koira: the office side of the kit
The kit gets you to the job. Koira runs the rest: estimates with signing and deposits, invoices and card payments and your day plan, all on the free Office plan. Start with the holiday lighting services list to set your prices.
Sources
- Little Giant: Little Giant Revolution 2.0, Model 17, checked October 9, 2026
- Little Giant: Little Giant Conquest 2.0, Model 13, checked October 9, 2026
- Fluke: Fluke 1AC II non-contact voltage tester, checked October 9, 2026
- Insureon: Insurance cost for contractors as a group, checked October 9, 2026
- OSHA: Fall protection, checked October 8, 2026
Last checked October 9, 2026. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and differ by state and city, so confirm with the agency named before you act.