Thread: Step-by-step haunted house instructions.

Tweet

lol, so, this will be our fourth haunted house in our backyard. Each year I fall short on at least one thing or another. If any of yall have a list of things i should prepare for this year, LET ME KNOW! Example: Where to post flyers, what props to start working on now, what not to do, what to do, ANYTHING. Just please sned any suggestions and what not!

hehehe i started buying props for halloween 2007 since last november 2006 lol, and this past week i been shoping and haunting stuff to make props this year .....so your not alone , i always am missing something each time too..... i have had a list of materials i needed for each props i want to make for example , my beloved prop needs , wedding dress , styrofoam head , wig , etc.....then a list for the mad lab props and so on......then a list for things like , flood lights , extension cords , portable cd players with adapters for sound and making voices for props, and store bought props i want , fabric .....

as for flyers depends , are you doing this for trick or treaters or as a haunted house only ? you can post flyers in stores windows , or their billboards with the stores permission (costume shops , convinience stores etc)

Spirit Halloween was letting people put out flyers last year.
Also pizza places, telephone poles, and laundry mats.

I suggest, start with some small props and then mix a bigger one to avoid frustration.

And you can get that oh so great sense of acomplishment.

I admire those of you that market your yard haunts, but my advice is to seriously consider the effects of inviting the masses to your house.

What will your neighbors think about hundreds or thousands of people in your neighborhood?

My neighbors pay a lot of money to live here, and would likely file an injunction and a lawsuit for damages which could add a nasty lien to my property. Had I informed them ahead of time, they may have told me if it was okay or not.

What would your insurance company say if they came across your flyer? I can tell you that they may very well drop your coverage with only a letter telling you the last effective date.

I'm not a lawyer, I have just spent years dealing with litigation mitigation. If you want to draw crowds, have you considered an off-site location?

Well, each year my haunted house brings about 200 ppl not including repeats. And my neighbors are extremly fond of my haunted house. I can assure you, they wouldn't mind. Not to mention my haunts open between 6-10. Plenty of time for people to come. Best part about hosting our HH at my house is our extremly large property and also located as the first house on the block with plenty of spaces for visitors to park. As far as the insurence thing goes...well, its been three years already, I'm not too worried about it. Extremly good point tho!!

Thanks for the advice!!!!!

I usually have decided by now about any major additions. What do you have up your sleeve?

Of course, I add stuff up to the last minute because I get inspired by this board.

Here's my technique.

Halloween Night - what doesn't get set up gets ingrained in my memory. I make a point to plan for it next year.

November - I see photos from all the people here and start planning on next year.

December - I wonder how the &($@@!! people do that stuff, or afford it...

January - I set a budget.

February - ebay becomes my friend.

March - I decide budgets aren't for me.

June-August - Build props in spare time and wish for cooler weather.

September - Even though I know it will all be on sale after Halloween, I spend hundreds of dollars on all the cool new stuff at Spirit or other places.

Late September - reality sets in that I have entirely too much crap and need help with it. Later decide I can maybe do it alone.

October - Begin setting up inside early on and add daily. The big stuff goes out the week of Halloween, and any sensitive electronics only go out the day they are used.

Night of - stuff I didn't have time to put out goes into garage.

Rinse, Repeat.

Geeze Wilbret, you just helped me out so much with basically your monthly retoutin (sp?) haha. Thankssss!!!!!!

Originally Posted by wilbret

I usually have decided by now about any major additions. What do you have up your sleeve?

Of course, I add stuff up to the last minute because I get inspired by this board.

Here's my technique.

Halloween Night - what doesn't get set up gets ingrained in my memory. I make a point to plan for it next year.

November - I see photos from all the people here and start planning on next year.

December - I wonder how the &($@@!! people do that stuff, or afford it...

January - I set a budget.

February - ebay becomes my friend.

March - I decide budgets aren't for me.

June-August - Build props in spare time and wish for cooler weather.

September - Even though I know it will all be on sale after Halloween, I spend hundreds of dollars on all the cool new stuff at Spirit or other places.

Late September - reality sets in that I have entirely too much crap and need help with it. Later decide I can maybe do it alone.

October - Begin setting up inside early on and add daily. The big stuff goes out the week of Halloween, and any sensitive electronics only go out the day they are used.

Night of - stuff I didn't have time to put out goes into garage.

Rinse, Repeat.

DITTO Except I dont put anything out untill the day of

Note to self: remember to go to wiberts house day after halloween and look in trashcan!

I agree with the no advertising. mass people can only lead to mass problems! doing this for over 12 years at this location... I have enough word of mouth.

Halloween 10 pm = remember what worked and what needs to be improved and what needs to be trashed - make sure I have photos!

Nov 1 hit halloween stores 50% off sales
Nov 3 hit halloween stores 75% off sales
buy clear rubbermaid storage boxes! did I say CLEAR? ya... CLEAR!

Nov / Jan = plan ideas for next year

Dec 24 - Dec 31 hit target 75% off sale on christmas flicker lights/candles extention cords etc...
buy CLEAR Rubbermain Storage Boxes

Feb / Sept = collect and/or build stuff (logical approach)

Oct 1 last years stuff comes out of attic/storage - ask gardner to stop mowing yard

Oct 15= panic / throw stuff together - try to remember what I learned back in Oct 31 10pm - solve or hide it in attic

4 days before pre stage things in house/garage/patio
3 days before set up inside of house
2 days before run electrical and set up some lighting
Day before fence/columns spot check lighting with sample prop
day of - 6 am start move stuff from prestage to yard
10:30 pm reverse process

ONE OF THREE PILES > this one headed to attic > note the difference between clear and colored boxes... DONT GET COLORED - as in the middle of the year and you want to try something - easy to find in clear!

Nothing gets thrown up, brutha! It just doesn't get set up.