FAQ – Christmas Lights Unlimited
Getting Started Q & A
Q. Why does Christmas Lights Unlimited charge a consulting fee?
A. Consulting fee covers gas, time to design a written plan, detailed labor cost and detailed list of materials with prices for each item. Our consulting proposal will give you complete details and something to compare, if you need. This consulting fee is deducted from your invoice, when you chose Christmas Lights Unlimited.
Q. What size of homes or commercial properties does Christmas Lights Unlimited specialize in?
A. Christmas Lights Unlimited specializes custom displays for homes over 4,000 sq ft and commercial properties over 100,000 sq ft.
Q. How much should I expect to spend the first year?
A. Each house or business is different and each budget will be different. When purchasing materials, installation labor and removal labor a residential budget will start at $2,500 and exceed $30,000. While a commercial budget will start at $5,000 and exceed $250,000.
Q. How much should I expect to spend the second year?
A. The second year is based on labor only and is usually ½ or less depending on the cost of materials purchased your first year.
Q. Can additional materials and labor be added?
A. Yes, we customize around your budget.
Q. Why does Christmas Lights Unlimited charge separate prices (installation, materials and removal)?
A. Christmas Lights Unlimited tries to fit within each budget.
Install Q & A
Q. How do you install Holiday Lights and related materials?
A. Here’s how we set up your display
1. We use universal clips that fit your roof or gutters without causing damage.
2. We use Hot Glue to secure to unpainted surfaces.
3. We use Zip Ties that are color coordinated around painted surfaces.
4. We use quality materials that blend with your grass and other surfaces.
Q. Do you install any permanent materials?
A. Only upon approval.
Q. Does Christmas Lights Unlimited provide custom fit lights and color coordinated materials.
A. Yes, we color coordinate materials based on the color of your grass, mulch, plants, brick, siding, tree bark, fence or gate and other related colors. We try to blend or hide materials from the eye during the day and we believe you should only see the lights at night!
Q. Do you set lights up on timers?
A. Yes, we can provide timers that are specially designed to turn on your lights.
Q. Does Christmas Lights Unlimited recommend icicle or mini-lights lights?
A. Christmas Lights Unlimited recommends icicle and mini-lights to be used on 1 Stories due to wind. The exception is when used on a large tree or a balcony railing where the wires can be secured from moving. The wind and cold weather can make the small wires brittle and when the wind blows them, this can result in a broken wire that will lead to a potential fire.
Q. What type of Holiday Lights are recommended for 2 Stories or higher?
A. We only recommend traditional C7 or C9 lights for outlining above a 1 story, since the wires are thicker then the mini-lights or icicle lights and they can be cut for a perfect custom fit.
Materials Q & A
Q. Does Christmas Lights Unlimited rent materials?
A. Christmas Lights Unlimited sells materials for installations over 3 days. We only rent materials for Weddings and parties that do not exceed 3 days. All rental materials are new and after use we donate materials to non-profit groups for upcoming Holiday Season.
Q. Can Christmas Lights Unlimited sell materials to non-installation clients?
A. Christmas Lights Unlimited only buys enough materials to install.
Q. What happens if materials fail within the first 2 yrs of purchase? That’s right 2 years!
A. If you purchase materials from Christmas Lights Unlimited in 2009 and we remove your holiday lights in 2010. Then we re-install them in 2010, we will replace any non-working materials for free! That’s our 2 year guarantee (2009 & 2010)!
Q. How long can I expect materials to last?
A. Depending on the amount of operating time and weather conditions, usually 3-5 yrs for lights and 4-10 yrs for other materials.
Q. When purchasing C7 or C9 lights what is the perfect length?
A. Christmas Lights Unlimited recommends purchasing C7 or C9 lights in a set of 25 (about 25 ft) with a fuse at the beginning of each set for safety.
Q. Do you recommend icicle or mini-lights lights?
A. Christmas Lights Unlimited recommends icicle and mini-lights for use on 1 Story levels due to wind. The higher you go up the more wind you have. The exceptions are surfaces where all wires can be secured like a large tree or a balcony railing. The wind and cold weather can make the small wires brittle and when the wind blows them, this can result in a broken wire that can lead to a potential fire.
Q. What type of Holiday Lights are recommended for 2 Stories or higher?
A. We only recommend the traditional C7 or C9 lights for outlining above a 1 story, since the wires are thicker and can be cut to custom fit.
Q. Are all C7 or C9 lights made the same?
A. No, the wiring is different in thickness and we only use quality products that will hold up over time.
Q. Why purchase C7 or C9 lights in a set of 25?
A. The more fuses you have the safer you are. Also, if 1 set gets damaged, you can easily replace that set vs. splicing sets together which can lead to a fire.
Q. Can you cut C7 or C9 set of 25 for a custom fit?
A. Yes, we can custom fit a traditional set of 25 (C7 or C9) by cutting the end and securing it with tape or a liquid tape. Please note some manufactures try to pass off mini-lights as C7 or C9 with just adding a larger cap bulb that looks like a C7 or C9 bulb. A traditional C7 or C9 will screw in and out and have only 2 wires running side by side. Also the true C7 and C9 wires are thicker than a set of mini-lights. If the wires look like the ones used on your Christmas tree, then it’s a fake!
Removal Q & A
Q. Removal Process?
A. Christmas Lights Unlimited will carefully remove your materials and pack them for the upcoming season.
Q. Who supplies storage boxes?
A. Christmas Lights Unlimited can supply red/green storage boxes at an additional cost. Clients may supply storage boxes. If a client supplies a storage box then this voids our 2 year guarantee for materials.
Q. Why red/green storage boxes?
A. If you move you can locate them and it’s just easier to spot them.
Q. Does Christmas Lights Unlimited store materials in a client’s attic or offsite location?
A. Yes, Christmas Lights Unlimited is here to help will you.
Q. Does Christmas Lights Unlimited store client materials?
A. No, due to liability issues (fire, safety and etc) will are not able to store materials for you. We will assist you with finding a location at your home or business. If that does not suit your needs, then we will help you locate an offsite storage company and you will pay them directly.
Q. Facts about Christmas Decorating Companies that store your Holiday Lighting on their property.
A. Ask yourself these questions?
1. How much money did you spend on materials?
2. What happens if you’re not satisfied with this company? They own your materials when the materials are moved onto their property.
3. Now they have your materials and it could be impossible get them back.
4. What happens if you move and you want to take your materials?
5. What happens if they go out of business (Large Corporations and small companies have failed)?
6. What happens if their location is damaged and you lose your materials?
7. What happens if you forget the company’s name?
8. Do you really want someone to store your materials? These are only a few questions and think about the other potential problems.
Warranty Q & A
1. Materials – (2 Year Guarantee) If you purchase materials from Christmas Lights Unlimited in 2009 and we remove your holiday lights in 2010. During the re-install process in 2010, we will replace any non-working materials for free! That’s our 2 year guarantee (2009 & 2010)!
2. Labor – We will take care of installation problems, as a result of the installation process.
3. Weather & Vandalism – Christmas Lights Unlimited may not cover these damages. If not covered, then a flat rate of $75 per hr. and materials, may apply.
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