I have the cast demo kit. It is heavy and PITA to setup. But I find myself just meeting the victim and they normally take my word. But once they call me they have seen my work, or they have been refered by a previous victim. I"m getting like James I just bring a notepad or whip out the Iphone. I'm a really KISS when giving a price.
MY demo kit weighs...
I gotta tell you, I am developing a love/hate relationship with my demo kit. the more I use it, the more jobs I get, which i am thrilled to say i have picked up 3 landscape light jobs in the past week, after doing 6 demo's. after a dead time of a month, I am happy to be doing at least part time lighting work again before the big christmas light work starts September 15.
my love hate thing goes like this- I love having 4 75 ft runs of multi-plug cord, 20 brass mr-16 uplights, 5 deck lights with clamps, 2 600 watt trans, and a few paths and a few extension cords. really everything you need for a decent medium home demo.
my hate thing is weight. I have maxed out 2 very large ice chests on wheels w/ collapsable handles ( like luggage) , and I keep the paths and deck lights in a seperate box. each ice chest easily weighs 65-75 lbs, and I am tired of loading and unloading these things in the back of my truck.
I know that firefly does awesome demo's, and probably easily doubles the weight of mine, but I am also curious about the rest of you guys- what do you bring and how do you lug it around? how much time do you give yourself to setup, bid and load back up a demo? I am taking about 35-45 minutes to setup, 15-20 to write out and bid, and 20-25 minutes to load up and go home. all by myself. some demo's take longer if the customer wants me to move around lights, but a single demo typically takes me from 7:30 pm leave house time to around 9:30-10:30 get back home time at this time of year. February is much easier as you can get there at 4:30 pm and be back home by 6:30 pm. let me know if my experience is normal, or what you guys are doing different.
my love hate thing goes like this- I love having 4 75 ft runs of multi-plug cord, 20 brass mr-16 uplights, 5 deck lights with clamps, 2 600 watt trans, and a few paths and a few extension cords. really everything you need for a decent medium home demo.
my hate thing is weight. I have maxed out 2 very large ice chests on wheels w/ collapsable handles ( like luggage) , and I keep the paths and deck lights in a seperate box. each ice chest easily weighs 65-75 lbs, and I am tired of loading and unloading these things in the back of my truck.
I know that firefly does awesome demo's, and probably easily doubles the weight of mine, but I am also curious about the rest of you guys- what do you bring and how do you lug it around? how much time do you give yourself to setup, bid and load back up a demo? I am taking about 35-45 minutes to setup, 15-20 to write out and bid, and 20-25 minutes to load up and go home. all by myself. some demo's take longer if the customer wants me to move around lights, but a single demo typically takes me from 7:30 pm leave house time to around 9:30-10:30 get back home time at this time of year. February is much easier as you can get there at 4:30 pm and be back home by 6:30 pm. let me know if my experience is normal, or what you guys are doing different.
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I have left the demo for a week then go back and pick it up. That has worked good as well. I will also use my gut feeling IF I charge them or not. Now I know that will open a can of worms.
Chris go drink a cold Sam Adams and chase it with a beam bomb. Then take a deep breathe sit down and relax. Loosen your belt when you do it.
if you need to you can repeat the above steps until you feel better. But do not exceed 8 repeats. have grove day.
Hey Mike what type of twist connectors do you use? The type of connectors that are on the cast use will not last. I have had issues with the hub that comes with the demo.
And yes Paul I am joking. But this is public forum if I choose to call them victims I will. What a homeowner reads here should have nothing to do with if you get a job or not. Remember you are selling your design and art.
And yes Paul I am joking. But this is public forum if I choose to call them victims I will. What a homeowner reads here should have nothing to do with if you get a job or not. Remember you are selling your design and art.
Large Demos are a PITA in my opinion. But hey I still have a 20 light demo kit, so go figure.
When I first started I would show up with 1 uplight, 1 pathway light, 1 bullet, and truck battery booster. I think that is what it is called. One of those gozmos that you hookup to the battery. Me and the customer would walk around the yard and light different things up.
everyone should have a beer I didn't use "victim"
When I first started I would show up with 1 uplight, 1 pathway light, 1 bullet, and truck battery booster. I think that is what it is called. One of those gozmos that you hookup to the battery. Me and the customer would walk around the yard and light different things up.
everyone should have a beer I didn't use "victim"
Well said. Think about this. For the demos that you did and DID NOT get the job. When you ride by the house on a later date,either to be nosey or you happen to be in the area do you see your design by the HO or someone else or no lighting at all? For me I mostly see no lighting at all. I also use my gut feeling if I charge them for the demo or not.
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