Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Lighting Up the Holidays

By RHONDA AGHAMALIAN

For the News-Mirror

The hassle of holiday lights can turn even the most festive person into a Scrooge: hauling lights down from an attic, working on a ladder and removing a light display in a post-holiday funk can turn the entire process into a daunting chore.

Enter David Holland, owner of Mansfield Lights, which offers full-service holiday lighting and outdoor decoration installation.

Holland runs the company when he’s off duty as a firefighter and paramedic for the Mansfield Fire Department.

"I developed the idea of the Christmas light business because it’s seasonal," said Holland. "That way I’m not away from my family too much."

The company’s Web site bills the organization as a "one-call provider for outdoor lighting and holiday cheer, ranging from simple house outlines to elaborate 'whole yard’ decorating."

Services include design consultation, installation, tree wrapping, yard art installation, interior lighting, removal and year-round storage.

Holland said that he can work with a customer’s existing lights.

However, he frequently purchases lights, clips and extension cords on a customer’s behalf. He replaces any light strands that fail within two days of installation at no charge.

Holland created Mansfield Lights in 2005, beginning with a handful of clients.

He said the business has doubled each year.

"This is still a relatively new service, with many people unaware that there are companies providing it," he said. "As word spreads, I’m sure demand will grow, and we’ll be here to meet it."

Mansfield Light’s work crew is primarily made up of other off-duty firefighters. It takes three to four men to install a complete display, Holland said.

Client Bethanie Lawson said that Holland’s services offer plenty of convenience.

"It puts our minds at ease to know that we don’t have to worry about finding time to put the lights up ourselves or worry about storing the boxes of lights all year in our garage," she said. "He also provides friendly service and is very affordable."

Pricing packages vary, and Holland offers free estimates.

Lawson, who is also Holland’s neighbor, said that she initially learned about Mansfield Lights from another neighbor.

"I pass David’s house all the time and he always has his house lit up for the holidays," she said. "I heard from one of his neighbors that he had his own installation service."

Holland said that he enjoys his off-duty enterprise.

"I like the creativity involved in it, and the attention to detail," he said. "I like interacting with people during the holidays."