If you’re searching for “Christmas light installation near me,” you’re in the right place. Our complete guide covers light installation pricing, things to consider, and how to find a pro.
Disclaimer: REthority is supported by ads and participation in affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you click our links. The information included in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or financial advice.
Jump to:
- What Light Installation Companies Do
- Christmas Light Installation Pricing
- Things to Consider
- Christmas Light Installation Near Me
Looking for “Christmas Light Installation Near Me?”
The day after Thanksgiving, millions of homeowners mount ladders and begin attaching holiday lights to their eaves and gutters.
Others are relaxing with leftover turkey and dressing. Or, they’re doing some Black Friday shopping while professional lighting installers handle their decorations.
If you’ve ever thought about being a member of this second group, this article will explain all you need to know about Christmas light installation services.
What Light Installation Companies Do
Holiday decoration installation businesses can range from a guy with a ladder, making extra money on fall weekends to sizable concerns that operate year-round specializing in commercial lighting installations.
There is also considerable variation in the services these businesses provide. Generally speaking, light installation companies offer a few specific services:
- Lighting and decoration design
- Sales and leasing of lights and decorations
- Installation of lights and decorations such as wreaths and Christmas trees
- Light and decoration removal
- Storage of leased decorations and lights
- Option to use new leased lights and decorations every year
- Maintenance of permanent year-round light installations
Read on to learn specifics of each of these services and benefits of using a professional Christmas light installer.
Time
The biggest benefit of having someone else do your lights probably is that you don’t have to take the time to do it yourself. For some people, installing holiday lights is a traditional family activity that is an enjoyable part of Christmas.
Having someone else handle the job wouldn’t be a benefit for them, of course. But for others who don’t care for the job or are on the fence about it, getting those hours back can be a valuable benefit.
Appearance
An installer who installs lights every day is likely to do a much better job than a homeowner who does it once a year. In fact, they’ve perfected their skill year over year.
If the drooping lines of lights and burnt-out bulbs of a typical do-it-yourself lighting job are annoying to you, then hiring an installation company may be the best way to achieve a much superior look.
Design
Installers are exposed to lots of great ideas for home holiday lighting, and when you hire them, they can share those ideas with you. Part of the motivation for putting up lights is to add to the beauty of your home and neighborhood.
In this case, an installer helps you shine by recommending the newest types of lights and most engaging decorations on the market.
Safety
In a typical November and December, there may be a dozen deaths and nearly 15,000 injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms nationwide due to holiday decorations, according to the CPSC.
The most common causes are falls from ladders, accounting for half of all injuries. Lacerations and back strains are also highly ranked.
Hiring someone else to take the risk of installing your holiday lighting can make a difference in your safety and convenience. Electrical safety is another concern.
Running long strings of lights off a limited number of outdoor electrical outlets can lead to an overburdened circuit, resulting in a fire.
Old lighting sets may have broken sockets, frayed or exposed wires, and loose connections. A competent professional installer ensures that any lights installed are free of dangerous damage or wear.
Christmas Light Installation Pricing
Professionally installed Christmas lighting is an affordable luxury. Prices for having Christmas lights installed can range from as low as $100 to as high as $1,000 or more. The average is about $400.
Installers may charge by the linear foot of light strings, by the number of hours of labor spent installing or a flat fee. Linear foot charges are likely to be $1 to $3 per foot, with $2 per foot as the average.
Labor costs ordinarily run $25 to $75 hour, with $50 as an average. Often, installers will quote a flat fee or a range of fees for a typical home.
For instance, a two-story house of 2,000 s.f. or so may be estimated to cost $150 to $400. Here are some of the other factors that can affect the cost of a Christmas light installation.
- Light ownership. The project will cost less overall if the homeowner supplies the lights. However, if the installer supplies the lights, the installation costs may be less because they’re more efficient with their own product.
- Roof height. A multi-story house requires longer ladders and more care when workers are high off the ground. Expect a surcharge if your lights are going on second-story eaves or gutters.
- Roof steepness. A steep roof adds to the risk and complication of a light installation. If you have a steep roof and want lights along the roofline, you’ll likely be asked to pay a premium.
- Trees and terrain. A home surrounded by thick, tall trees and other vegetation will cost more to decorate. Wrapping trees and shrubs will also involve more costs.
- Other decorations and add-ons. Wreaths, trees, and timers are available from many companies, at an added cost.
- Removal. The typical installation quote does not include removing the lights. This is a puzzling omission since the lights typically come down within a few weeks or so of the end of the year.
However, it’s a good idea when discussing a bid from a lighting company to ask whether it includes removal and, if not, how much that will cost.
Other Lighting Installation Issues
Installers will usually supply extension cords but won’t do other electrical work. If you need additional outlets, you’ll have to hire a licensed electrician for the job.
Christmas light installation is a highly seasonal business, with most of the installations done in November and December and the removals accomplished in January.
If you can tolerate having lights installed earlier or removed later, you may be able to get a better price. Insurance is an important consideration when working with a light installer.
Ask for documentation proving the installer has insurance to cover any damage if, say, a ladder falls and lands on a neighbor’s car.
The installer should also have insurance to protect you against financial liability if a worker slips and is injured on your property. This is often overlooked, but very important.
Find Christmas Light Installation Near You
Professional Christmas light installation can eliminate a tedious and difficult chore that produces imperfect results. Instead, homeowners can delegate the task to experienced professionals to done quickly and affordably.
And when it’s all over with, they’ll have a much more beautiful and impactful home for the holidays. Ready to get started? Simply enter your information into the form above to be connected with a pro for a free quote.
