Hattiesburg, Mississippi, sits in the Pine Belt region and has a population of roughly 48,000, with a metro area exceeding 150,000. The holiday lighting market here is seasonal but profitable. Homeowners in neighborhoods like Oak Grove, The Historic District, and West Hattiesburg take pride in festive displays. The University of Southern Mississippi brings a younger demographic, but the majority of your clients will be families in suburban areas who want professional installations to save time and avoid ladder risks.
Local climate is mild in November and December (average highs 60°F, lows 40°F), which means a longer installation window than northern states. However, rain is frequent, so you must plan for weather delays. Demand peaks from late October to early December. Many Hattiesburg residents attend the annual Hattiesburg Christmas Parade and the “Holiday Open House” downtown, so visible outdoor decor is highly valued. The market lacks a dominant “big box” holiday lighting franchise — most competitors are small landscapers or handymen. This is a great opportunity for a specialized, professional holiday lighting service to stand out.
You must register your business with the Mississippi Secretary of State. A sole proprietorship is simplest, but consider an LLC (“Hattiesburg Holiday Lights LLC”) to protect personal assets. The filing fee is about $50. You’ll also need an EIN from the IRS (free online) if you hire employees or plan to open a business bank account.
Mississippi charges a 7% sales tax on services like holiday lighting installation. You must register with the Mississippi Department of Revenue for a Sales Tax Permit. Hattiesburg also has a city sales tax of 1%, making the total 8% in most areas. Collect and remit these taxes quarterly or monthly.
Mississippi does not require a general contractor license for holiday lighting if you stay under $50,000 per project. However, if you install permanent low-voltage lighting or electrical work beyond plugging in lights, you may need an electrical contractor license. Stick to plug‑and‑play or use battery/remote systems to avoid licensing hassles. Always pull an electrical permit (from the Hattiesburg Building Department) if you hardwire anything.
Liability insurance is essential. At minimum, get a $1 million general liability policy. Also consider workers’ compensation insurance if you hire helpers. Many HOA and homeowner clients will ask for proof of insurance before you step on their property.
Go to google.com/business and sign in with a Gmail account. Use a business name that includes your location, e.g., “Hattiesburg Holiday Lights.” Provide your physical address (even if you work from home) — but you can hide the address if you don’t serve customers at that location. Choose the category “Christmas Lights Installation Service” or “Holiday Lighting Service.”
Focus on phrases like “holiday lighting Hattiesburg,” “Christmas light installation Hattiesburg MS,” “commercial holiday lights Hattiesburg,” and “Hattiesburg Christmas light hanging service.” Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find local search volume.
Create a simple website with clear service pages. Include your city page: “Holiday Lighting in Hattiesburg, MS” with embedded Google Map and testimonials. Use tags (not shown here) but in real code link to Hattiesburg neighborhoods (e.g., Oak Grove, Rawls Springs). Add schema markup for LocalBusiness (type = HomeAndConstructionBusiness).
List your business on Yelp, Bing Places, Nextdoor, and Hattiesburg Chamber of Commerce directory. Ensure Name, Address, Phone (NAP) is identical everywhere. Phone should be a local 601 area code number.
Partner with Hattiesburg real estate agents and holiday events. Sponsor a local Christmas parade or supply lights for a downtown storefront. Ask for links from HattiesburgAmerican.com or local blogs (e.g., “Pine Belt News” or “WDAM 7” community pages).
Write blog posts like “Top 5 Hattiesburg Neighborhoods for Christmas Lights” or “How Hattiesburg Weather Affects Outdoor Holiday Decor.” Use local landmarks: the Hattiesburg Zoo, Longleaf Trace, and the Historic Depot.
Hattiesburg’s cost of living is lower than national average, so prices must be competitive but still profitable. Typical pricing is per linear foot or per strand, plus labor. Common models:
Discounts: 10% off for returning customers; bundle installation and removal for a 5% discount. Include removal in original price to reduce abandoned lights.
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