Holiday Kit For Truck or Van. You've Gotta Have a Game Plan!

Holiday Kit For Truck or Van. You've Gotta Have a Game Plan!

Posted by Katie Jorgenson on Oct 14th 2014

Holiday Newsletter Volume 8

HOLIDAY KIT FOR TRUCK OR VAN

There is nothing worse than getting to the job on Thanksgiving weekend to do that big holiday install and finding out you are missing some essential tools and not a hardware store in sight.
Use the following list as guidelines:

1. Paperwork (building maps, etc.)

2. Wire Cutters

3. Paddle Wire

4. Heavy Wire

5. Wreath Wire (24 gauge)

6. Fishing Line (20 Lb Test)

7. Nails And Brads

8. Hammer

9. Picture Hooks

10. Masking Tape

11. Duct Tape

12. Double Sided Tape

13. Tape Gun

14. Twist Ties

15. Marking Pen

16. Labels (For Removal)

17. Super Glue

18. Suction Cups

19. Extension Cords

20. Power Strips

21. Replacement Light Sets, Bulbs,


Fuses

22. Broom, Dustpan

23. Trash Bags

24. Apron

25. Time Sheets

26. Bandaids

27. Screws

28. Screwdriver

29. Ladders

30. Drill And Bits

31. Hot Glue Gun

32. Dollies, Rubber Wheel Carts

33. Tarps

34. Watercans

35. Empty Boxes For Removal

36. Light tester

INSTALLATION GAME PLAN


BEFORE AND DURING INSTALLATION
Protect all floors and furniture
Store all equipment neatly
Crew and client safety comes first
Keep area clean
Inform client how long you estimate it will take
 
QUALITY REVIEW AFTER INSTALLATION
Were all items placed according to work order?
Were all changes approved by the contact?
Were items substituted and accepted by client?
Is every item upright and angled in the best way; is the tree top straight?
Are items secure?
Have all green plants been watered in?
Have you walked through all areas to check?

CLIENT CONTACT PRIOR TO LEAVING THE JOB SITE
Have you reviewed the installed areas with the contact?
Have you completed any additional client requests?
Is the client satisfied?
Do you need to return at a later date for changes?
Did the contact sign off on the work order?
Take photos of install from several vantage points
 
FINAL WALKTHROUGH
Visual check to insure no equipment or trash is left
Check loading area as well
Make sure you have all paperwork on truck 

DEVELOP A COMPANY DEFINITION OF INTENSITY

For example, if you divide the levels of decor applied to wreaths, you will be able to get approximately the same amount of decor/product on each wreaths.
 
BASIC WREATH
This defines a wreath that has only 25% of the facing surface decorated. This may be only a "Bow" set at any point on the wreath, usually at top middle, bottom middle, or offset in the lower quadrant on the right or upper quadrant left.
 
STANDARD WREATH
This defines a wreath that has 50% of the facing surface decorated. Can be a combination of ribbon and sprays and/or balls. Positioning may be similar to above. 
 
DESIGNER WREATH
This is a wreath that has some form of decoration covering 100% of the wreath face. 
 
NOTE:  The above delineations apply to only one side since most wreaths go against a flat surface. Pricing must be adjusted upward if both sides are to be decorated.

HOW MUCH TIME FOR HOLIDAY TREES?


Assuming you are using Autograph Trees, here are some standard guidelines you can use. However, nothing is ever finite and fixed. These are just guidelines. There are always exceptions! As you can guess, slim trees, half trees, pencil trees and fluff free trees take a lot less time. It is your job to keep track of actual times year to year and come up with your own Guidelines. The same procedure goes for bows, garland, wreaths and the like. 

Time is one parameter to use when pricing but, just look at what happens when you raise your per hour figure. This too, is all important. Now get those Excel sheets going!

HEIGHT          SET UP/FLUFF      DELIVER AND DECORATE       REMOVAL TIME
6.5 ft.              1.0 hrs.                    3.5 hrs.                                     2.50 hrs.
7.5 ft.              1.5 hrs.                    4.0 hrs.                                     3.5 hrs.
9-10 ft             3.0 hrs.                    5.5 hrs                                      5.0 hrs.
12 ft.               5.0 hrs                     8.0 hrs.                                     7.5 hrs.
15 ft.              10.0 hrs.                  10.0 hrs.                                    9.0 hrs.
18 ft.              12.0 hrs.                  12.0 hrs.                                   11.0 hrs.

BASIC TREE DECORATING

Placing ornaments and ribbon willy nilly just doesn't get the job done. You are the Designer and you need a Design Plan.

First things first. Set up the tree in the designated spot. Make sure the tree is lit and all lights are working. 

For placement of ornaments, visually divide the tree into four sections and divide the ornaments into four groups. One fourth of the ornaments will go on each section. 

If the tree is to butt up against a wall, divide the ornaments into three groups, and place them on the three exposed sides. Always visually triangulate the ornaments as you place them on the tree. 		Begin with the ribbon or fabric first, swirling the ribbon in and out of the tree. Next, place the tree "topper" on, especially if the tree is to be "tipped" up after decorating top first.

The major ornaments are next, then the minor ornaments and fillers. 

Packages and/or skirting underneath finishes the tree. Before leaving, make sure any electrical cord has been taped down and concealed to prevent accidents. Clean up this area.
 
Garland: Make sure all hardware to hang garland has been installed first. For railings, zip ties and pipe cleaners etc. can be used. Whenever possible mark the ends and leave on the ties for next year time savers. For more tricky areas where damage is a possibility, have the clients building engineer do the job or give you written permission.  It will take one person to install sections. For multi-sections, it make take two people.  One on a ladder hanging the garland and another person feeding up more garland, "eyeing" the garland for even swags. and handing up bows to the ladder person.  It usually takes 10 minutes to install a 9 foot section. On very high work when a large ladder must be used, increase the time. 

Attention to detail is important! A tree that leans, a bow wrinkled, ornaments placed unevenly, offend the eye of the onlooker. Now, it is true that this is a crazy time with staff under stress from time and weather problems, still that is why the client has hired you.A bad installation can kill a beautiful design in a heartbeat. 
!