Decided to hire a pro for your Christmas lights this year? Good call. Now comes the part most homeowners don’t think about: picking the right company. Two quotes for the same house can look very different, and the cheapest one isn’t always the deal it seems. Here’s what to ask, what a good quote includes, and the red flags to watch for.
1. When to book (and why October matters)
Book in September or October. Good installers fill their pre-Thanksgiving dates first, and by December many are booked solid or only taking takedowns.
| When you call | What to expect |
|---|---|
| September – early October | Best choice of dates, time to compare quotes, early-bird pricing at some companies |
| Mid October – mid November | Peak booking season. Popular dates fill fast, so decide quickly. |
| Late November – December | Limited openings. You may wait or pay more for a rush install. |
| January | Takedown season. A great time to rebook for next year. |
2. 12 questions to ask before you hire
Ask about insurance, what’s included, who owns the lights, service during the season, takedown, and how they attach lights to your home.
- Are you insured? Ask for a certificate of insurance. A real company sends one without hesitation.
- Is the price all-inclusive? Lights, install, service calls, takedown and storage.
- Do I own the lights, or do you lease them? See the lease vs. buy section below.
- What kind of lights do you use? Look for commercial-grade LED bulbs on wire cut to fit your roofline, not store-bought strands.
- How do you attach them? Clips on gutters and shingles are standard. Nails and staples are not.
- What if a section goes out? Ask how fast they respond to service calls and whether service is free.
- When is my install date, and when do you take them down?
- Can I see a design or mockup of my house first?
- How much is the deposit, and when is the balance due? A deposit of up to 50% is common.
- Who’s on my roof? The company’s own trained crew, or someone they found last week?
- Can I see photos of your recent work and read reviews?
- Do you work with my HOA’s rules? Some neighborhoods limit colors, dates or sign placement.
3. What a good quote includes
A good quote is in writing and lists what goes where, the total, the deposit, the dates, and what’s included after install day.
- A photo or mockup of your home showing where the lights go
- Line items: roofline, trees, bushes, wreaths, garland
- Bulb type and color
- Total price, deposit amount and balance due date
- Install date or window, and takedown month
- Service policy during the season
- Who owns the lights after the season
- Proof of insurance, or an offer to send it
Want a ballpark before you call? See what Christmas light installation costs.
4. Lease vs. buy: who owns the lights?
Most professional installers lease the lights: they install, maintain, take down and store them, and you pay one price each season. A few sell the lights to you instead.
- One price covers everything each year
- No storage at your house
- Burned-out bulbs are their problem
- Lights are cut to fit your home and reused next year
- You own the lights after the season
- May cost more the first year
- You store and maintain them
- Next year’s install is usually still a paid service
Neither one is wrong. Just make sure the quote says which one you’re getting.
5. How to compare two quotes
Compare what’s included, not just the bottom line. A low price that leaves out service and takedown can cost more by January.
| Check | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial-grade LED bulbs | ☐ | ☐ |
| Lights cut to fit your roofline | ☐ | ☐ |
| Free service calls during the season | ☐ | ☐ |
| Takedown included | ☐ | ☐ |
| Storage included | ☐ | ☐ |
| Proof of insurance | ☐ | ☐ |
| Mockup or design provided | ☐ | ☐ |
| Reviews and photos of past work | ☐ | ☐ |
6. Red flags
- No insurance, or won’t put it in writing
- Full payment up front before any work is done
- No written quote, just a number over the phone
- Nails or staples in your roof, shingles or trim
- Store-bought strands sold as “professional”
- No plan for service or takedown
- No reviews, photos or local address anywhere
7. Choosing colors and style
Warm white on the roofline is the classic, most-requested look. Multicolor and patterns are popular with families. Wrapped trees add the biggest “wow” for the money.
- Warm white: classic and elegant, and it suits brick and stone
- Cool or pure white: modern and crisp
- Multicolor: nostalgic and kid-friendly
- Patterns like red, white and green, or your team colors
- Trees and bushes: wrapped trees often make the biggest impact
- Wreaths and garland: frame the front door and windows
8. Find an installer near you
Search ChristmasPlug’s free national directory of Christmas light installers, or tell us about your home and we’ll help connect you with a local pro.
Get a free Christmas light quote
Takes 60 seconds. Free, no obligation.
Watch: a professional tree wrap
Watch on Instagram
🎥 More install tips and how-to videos: TikTok · Instagram · Facebook
FAQ
When should I book a Christmas light installer?
Book in September or October. Installers fill their pre-Thanksgiving dates first, and by December many are fully booked.
What questions should I ask a Christmas light installer?
Ask whether they are insured, what the price includes, who owns the lights, what lights they use, how they attach them, how service calls work, the install and takedown dates, the deposit, and for photos and reviews of past work.
Do Christmas light installers lease or sell the lights?
Most professional installers lease the lights, meaning they install, maintain, take down and store them for one price each season. Some sell the lights instead. The quote should say which.
What are red flags when hiring a Christmas light company?
No insurance, full payment up front, no written quote, nails or staples in the roof, store-bought strands sold as professional, no plan for service or takedown, and no reviews or photos of past work.
How much deposit do Christmas light installers charge?
A deposit of up to 50% is common, with the balance due after the lights are installed.
Keep reading: Christmas light installation cost · Browse installers by city · Dallas Christmas light installers
Author: camerongrant@grantsoutdoor.com
Self taught developer and seo specialist