First‑season shopping list
Pro Starter Kits are a great place to start when considering what to offer in your first season for both roofline and mini‑light needs. These kits include the core components that most new installers require.
Keep your offering simple by standardizing on one roofline bulb format and one style of mini lights for trees and shrubs. This reduces training time and inventory overhead while improving installation speed.
Stock deeper on the small set of items you use on almost every job, such as bulbs, socket wire, clips, mini light strings, and vampire plugs. Running out of these essentials can slow crews dramatically during peak weeks.
Add a small set of high‑impact upsells like garland, wreaths, and mini lights. These items can raise installation value without complicating operations when chosen carefully.
Buy early to capture preseason margins and ensure availability during the busiest weeks. Lights and core accessories do not expire and can be carried forward to the next season if necessary.
1) Core roofline system
A standardized roofline system makes training straightforward and keeps trucks light. Choose one E17 retrofit format for all rooflines so every crew knows exactly which parts to reach for.
Choose one bulb family for rooflines and large trees
Either C9 E17 retrofit bulbs or G30 E17 retrofit bulbs will deliver a clean, professional look on rooflines. Pick the family you prefer visually and commit to it across all projects.
Socket wire that blends with the property
Keep black or white socket wire on hand so you can match gutters and trim. Blending the wire into the architecture produces a refined, seamless look that clients appreciate. Do the same with clip colors.
Inline power accessories for clean power distribution
Stock male and female vampire plugs and SPT‑2 power cord to build custom runs that minimize visible cabling and avoid overloaded circuits.
Mounting hardware matched to substrate
Use roofline clips designed for the roof and gutter profiles you encounter most often, ensuring secure placement without damage. Carry a small variety to match common materials and pitches. Multi‑clips are great because they can be used on a wide variety of applications and surfaces.
Power and safety considerations
Include outdoor‑rated extension cords and GFCI protection where required by code. Build a simple labeling system to track which extension cords belong to which zones on larger jobs.
Why one format? Standardizing on a single bulb format simplifies quoting, kitting, and on‑truck spares. With fewer SKUs to manage, you reduce decision fatigue in the field, speed up installs, and cut the risk of mismatched components or color temperatures.
2) Trees and shrubs
For landscape lighting, 5mm mini lights offer fast installs, bright results, and consistent spacing for trunk and branch wraps. They are reliable across property types and are easy to train new team members to use.
Color strategy for the first year
Plan for the majority of your landscape work to use warm white and pure white, with a smaller proportion of multi‑color. A practical starting split is:
60% warm white
25% pure white
15% multi‑color
Order specialty colors only when a project explicitly requires them. This protects cash flow and minimizes slow‑moving stock.
Quantity planning to start
Begin with enough inventory to fulfill your early schedule, then plan weekly top‑ups based on close rates and lead volume. When you see a pattern in color requests, increase stock in those specific SKUs rather than broadening the catalog.
3) High‑impact add‑ons that keep operations simple
A small set of premium accents can lift average order value and help you win bids without burdening operations.
Garland and wreaths for entries
Select a minimal set of sizes and finishes that align with your roofline color temperature and style. Avoid too many variations in year one so you can stay in stock and train quickly.
Flood lights for facades and evergreens
Use a compact set of flood lights to wash walls and tall evergreens, adding depth to displays. Standardize on one or two color temperatures for consistency.
Tip: Limit your catalog on day one. A narrow, well‑stocked assortment will outperform a sprawling catalog that is hard to replenish and teach.
4) Tools and consumables you will actually use
Equipping each crew with the right tools reduces mistakes, increases safety, and shortens install times. The following items show up on most jobs and should be considered standard issue.
Ladders with stand‑offs and levelers to maintain safe access on uneven terrain
Fall‑protection equipment paired with certified training so crews can work at height with confidence
Compound cutters and wire cutters for trimming wire and hardware cleanly on site
Insulated stapler (Arrow T59) to secure cable without compromising insulation on wood surfaces
Fabric tool belt with large pockets for clips, plugs, and cutters so installers do not need to make frequent trips to the truck
Cable ties and electrical tape in assorted sizes for neat strain relief and quick field fixes
Portable power unit to test runs even when building power is not yet available, ensuring issues are discovered before you leave the site
Clamp meter to verify amperage on large jobs and to recheck aging runs annually for peace of mind and compliance
Cones, caution tape, and reflective vests to protect crews and the public during installs in shared spaces
Pro practice: Install with power on whenever it is safe to do so (except while cutting) so any connection issues surface immediately and can be addressed before teardown.
5) Keep it simple so you can scale without stress
Operational simplicity in year one pays dividends when you need to move quickly during the busiest weeks.
Say yes to
One roofline bulb format across all jobs to keep parts and training consistent
5mm mini lights for trees and shrubs because they are quick to install and easy to maintain
A small set of proven accents that add visible value without complicating stocking
Say no (for now) to
Customer‑supplied decor sourced from big‑box retailers since quality and consistency can vary widely year to year
Expanding into too many bulb sizes or exotic colors before you have the volume to justify the added inventory