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Your holiday lighting installation business
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Your business
Chapter 1 · Learn the TradeStartup kit
Chapter 1 · Learn the TradeStill to get
Fiberglass extension ladder with standoff stabilizer · from $150-$300 (used), $250-$400 new
Still to get
All-in-one gutter/shingle clips · from $12-18 per 100-pack
Still to get
Light strand, bulb and fuse tester · from $8–$15
The full day-one kit is 43 items, from about $702 at the value tier. See the kit
Skills
Chapter 1 · Learn the TradeMark skills as learned in each lesson. With a free account they show up here.
Make it official
Chapter 3 · Make It OfficialBusiness name checked and chosen
Business structure registered with your state
EIN from the IRS
Separate business bank account
Licenses and permits at every level
Insurance: liability, plus auto and workers' comp when they apply
Covered in Chapter 3. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Booking, invoicing and books
Chapter 4 · Work SmarterBookkeeping set up
Booking and invoicing
Take card payments
Covered in Chapter 4. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Prices
Chapter 5 · PricingYour floor worked out: pay, taxes, materials and your share of monthly bills
Three options on every quote (good, better, best)
Estimate visits and materials are paid for, not given away
Change-order line on your quote template
Yearly price review on the calendar
Covered in Chapter 5. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Getting clients
Chapter 6 · Get ClientsGoogle Business Profile live
Simple website or booking page
Neighborhood presence
Covered in Chapter 6. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Closing the deal
Chapter 7 · Close the DealPracticed the first call until it books
Quote template with a deposit that holds the date
Follow-up schedule for every open quote
Covered in Chapter 7. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Operations
Chapter 9 · OperationsRun sheet written: load-out, arrival and finish lists
Paid before you leave the job
Restock list counted in jobs, with a second store
A plan for bad days: weather, breakdowns, sick days, no-shows
Five numbers logged every week
90-day operations tune-up on the calendar
Covered in Chapter 9. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Money
Chapter 10 · Money ManagementStartup budget, break-even and how every payment gets split. Set this in Chapter 10
Customer service
Chapter 11 · Customer ServiceMessages at every moment: booked, reminder, on the way, delays, done, check-in
Protection kit on every job
Change orders in writing before any extra work
A recovery plan and an on-the-spot limit for fixes
Walk-through and cleanup before you leave
Two-day check-in and a review ask for every customer
Service promise written down: redo window, refunds, what you won't do
Covered in Chapter 11. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Loyal customers
Chapter 12 · Loyal CustomersA reminder goes out before every customer is due again
A review request after every job, to every customer
A maintenance plan with one clear monthly price
A card for every customer: access, preferences, next due date
A booking link in every invoice, text and signature
A give/get referral offer you mention at every walk-around
Covered in Chapter 12. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Your team
Chapter 14 · Build & Lead a TeamReady to hire: steady demand, written steps, two weeks of payroll saved
Full cost of the first hire counted, workers' comp quote included
Decided: employee or contractor
Paid trial day with a scorecard
Day-one kit ready: steps, safety, uniform, vehicle, customers
Pay ladder with a clear way to earn more
Weekly 15-minute huddle on the calendar
Covered in Chapter 14. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Systems independence
Chapter 15 · Systems IndependenceVacation test done: you know what breaks without you
Playbook: every area written, tested by someone else
Rules with limits the crew uses without calling
Five-number scorecard read every week
Owner wage separate from profit; manager pay tied to profit
Two people can do every critical job
Reminders, invoices, reviews and reorders run on their own
Step away: a day, a week, two weeks, then four
Quarterly board review with your manager and accountant
Covered in Chapter 15. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
Your road: sell, keep or multiply
Chapter 17 · The Fork in the RoadThree years of clean books, personal costs taken out
Key people have reasons to stay
No customer is a big slice of revenue
More revenue on plans and contracts
An opinion of value from someone who sells businesses like yours
A plan for where the money goes
Covered in Chapter 17. Already done some of these? Tick them now.
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