Putting up Christmas lights is a fun part of the holidays, but it can also be a bit of a hassle. Climbing ladders, untangling wires, and making sure everything looks right takes time and effort. Still, a nice set of lights can make your home feel extra warm and welcoming during the season.
This guide helps you figure out the best way to get your lights up. We'll share top outdoor Christmas light installation services in the US, plus a simple step-by-step guide if youād rather hang the lights yourself. Let's begin!
5 Christmas Light Installation Services in the US
If you decide to skip the ladder this year, hiring a professional service is a convenient option. Most companies offer "all-inclusive" packages that include design, lights (usually leased), installation, maintenance, and removal. Prices typically range from $3 to $7Ā per linear foot.
Here are five reputable national providers:
- Christmas Decor: One of the largest franchises in the industry. They offer a full-service package including design, installation, and storage, focusing on high-quality commercial-grade bulbs.
- Shack Shine: Known for their "house detailing" services, Shack Shine offers precise, high-end holiday lighting. They use commercial-grade LED lights custom-cut to your home's roofline.
- We Hang Christmas Lights: This is a network of independent installers across the US. Because they are often local owner-operators, their pricing can be more flexible than large franchises.
- Window Genie: Primarily a window cleaning company, they transition to holiday lighting in Q4. They are a reliable mid-range option depending on the location and complexity of the roofline.
- Outdoor Lighting Perspectives: Specializing in landscape lighting year-round, they bring a designer's touch to holiday displays, ideal for homeowners who want landscape-focused lighting.
When budgeting for the holidays, checking the cost of professional Christmas light installation against the lifespan of the display helps, as hiring a service is a recurring annual expense.
Can You Install Christmas Lights Yourself?
Yes, you can install Christmas lights yourself. Doing it yourself is very common because it saves money and lets you choose exactly how everything looks. With todayās light LED strings and safer clips, the job is much easier than it used to be. If you feel steady on a ladder and can spare a weekend, you can get a neat, well-planned display.
You can make it even easier by using eufy Smart LightingĀ for your setup. The lights are light, flexible, and simple to mount without special tools or drilling. Once they are up, you control everything in the eufy Life app, so you can change colors, brightness, and timers in a few taps instead of climbing the ladder again.
You can pick a classic warm white look one night and bright colors the next, or use ready-made scenes and AI effects to get a polished, pro-style display, even if it is your first time.
What Tools and Materials Do You Need for Christmas Light Installation?
Having the right gear makes the job faster and safer. Here's what to grab before you climb up:
- Ladder:An extension ladder for the roof, a stepladder for porches and lower areas.
- Clips:Skip the nails and staples, as they damage wire insulation. All-in-one clips slide under shingles or snap onto gutters without leaving marks.
- Extension cords:Regular indoor cords aren't built for moisture and temperature swings. Outdoor-rated cords have thicker insulation and weatherproof plugs. Look for the "W" marking on the jacket.
- Timer or smart plug (optional):Not essential, but nice to have. Set your schedule once,Ā and your lights turn on at dusk and off at bedtime automatically. No running outside in the cold to unplug them every night.
- Lights:C9 bulbs work great for rooflines, while mini-lights are better suited for wrapping trees and bushes. Look for outdoor Christmas lightsĀ rated for winter weatherāthey'll hold up season after season.
Many homeowners are now skipping the old āput them up, take them downā routine each year. Instead, they choose permanent outdoor lights that stay on the house all year. The lights sit neatly under the eaves, and you just turn them on when the season starts.Ā
The eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights S4 is such an example, which is a fixed system with RGBWW LEDs that can show up to 281 trillion colors. You can keep them on warm white for everyday use, then switch to bright, festive colors for Christmas, all from your phone.
How to Install Christmas Lights Step by Step?
Now that you have got your tools and materials ready, itās time toĀ go step by step to get your home shining bright without the hassle.Ā Here's how to install them, using the eufy Permanent Outdoor Lights S4Ā as an example.
Step 1: Prep the surface
Adhesive holds best on clean surfaces. Wipe down the underside of your eaves (soffits) with water or rubbing alcohol to remove dust, dirt, and cobwebs. A few extra minutes here means a stronger bond that lasts.
Step 2: Plan your layout, then stick
Map out your path before peeling anything. When you're ready, remove the adhesive backing and press each light firmly against the eave for a few seconds. Keep the lights about 2ā4 inches from the wall for the best glow effect.
Step 3: Reinforce with clips
The adhesive is strong, but adding the included screw-in clips gives extra security during storms. Place a clip every few lights to take weight off the tape and keep the strand tight and straight over time.
Step 4: Connect and trim
Connect the lights to the power supply. If you have extra length, eufy strips can be cut at the marked points so you do not end up with loose, hanging wire.
Step 5: Test your lights
Turn the lights on and open the app to run a few colors and effects. Check that every section lights up, faces the right way, and follows the path you planned. Fix any loose spots now, before you pack away the ladder and call it done.
Safety Tips for Christmas Light Installation
Holiday decorating sends thousands of people to the ER every year, most from ladder falls. A few simple habits can keep you off that list.
- Stay stable on the ladder.Keep three points of contact at all times: two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand. It sounds basic, but it's easy to forget when you're reaching for that last clip.
- Pick a calm, dry day.Rain, snow, and wind all make ladders slippery and surfaces unpredictable. If the weather turns, it's not worth the riskācome back tomorrow.
- Don't overload your circuits.Most household circuits handle around 15 amps. If you're running multiple strands, spread them across different outlets instead of daisy-chaining everything into one.
- Use a GFCI outlet.Outdoor lights should always plug into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlet. If moisture causes a short, it cuts the power instantlyĀ before you get shocked. No GFCI outside? Portable adapters are cheap and easy to install.
DIY vs. Professional Christmas Light Installation: Which Is Better?
It mostly comes down to how you value your time versus your money.
|
Feature |
DIY Installation |
Professional Service |
|
Cost |
Low ($200ā$600 one-time) |
High ($500ā$1,500+ per year) |
|
Effort |
High (ladders, labor, weather) |
None (hands-off) |
|
Customization |
Unlimited, you control the design |
Limited to installer's inventory |
|
Storage |
You store bins in the attic |
Service usually handles storage |
|
Ownership |
You keep the lights forever |
Often just "renting" the lights |
For most homeowners, DIY Christmas lights outdoor installationĀ makes sense if you have the time and don't mind the physical work. Professional services are worth it if your roof is steep, your schedule is packed, or you simply want to avoid ladders altogether.
Conclusion
You might hire a crew for the Christmas light installationĀ or put the lights up yourself, but a bit of planning goes a long way. Follow basic safety rules, use the right gear for your home, and you can enjoy a display that looks great and stays up all season without last-minute fixes. If you like the idea of setting it up once and then changing colors from your phone, smart options like eufy outdoor lights can make things even easier.
FAQs
How much does it cost for someone to hang Christmas lights?
On average, professional installation costs between $2.50 and $7.00 per linear foot. For a standard two-story home, this usually totals between $400 and $1,200 for the season. This price typically includes the rental of the lights, installation, maintenance (fixing burnt bulbs), and removal in January.
Do you have to be an electrician to install Christmas lights?
No, you do not need to be an electrician for standard plug-in lights. However, if you need to install new outdoor outlets or hardwire a massive display that exceeds your home's amperage capacity, hiring a licensed electrician is the right move. For typical residential displays using GFCI outlets, a general handyman or lighting service is sufficient.
Are permanent Christmas lights worth the cost?
Yes, for most homeowners, they are a solid investment. While the upfront cost is higher than a few boxes of cheap string lights, permanent systems pay for themselves within 2-3 years by eliminating the recurring cost of professional installation. Plus, you can use them for other holidays like Halloween or the Fourth of July.
How long do professional Christmas lights last?
Professional-grade commercial LED lights are rated for 20,000 to 50,000 hours of use. This is significantly longer than big-box store lights, which often fail after one or two seasons. If stored correctly in a climate-controlled area, professional strands can last 6 to 7 years before needing replacement.
