How much does professional Christmas light installation cost?

It depends on the home, which is why we quote every property after walking it instead of publishing a number that will not fit yours. The main drivers are feet of roofline, height and pitch, how many trees are lit, and whether both the street side and the lake side are done. What matters when you compare quotes is what the price includes: ours covers design, commercial-grade LED lights, installation, in-season service, January takedown, and storage.

Does the price include the lights themselves?

Yes. We supply commercial-grade LED strands cut to fit your rooflines, and they stay ours — which means if a strand fails, replacing it is our problem, not yours. You don't buy lights, and nothing gets stored in your attic.

Is takedown included, or is that a separate charge?

Included. We take everything down in January, inspect it, label it by house, and store it at our shop. Some companies quote a low install price and bill takedown separately in January, so it's worth asking anyone you get a quote from.

Is it cheaper the second year?

Usually, yes. The first year includes cutting and fitting every strand to your home. In following years we arrive with a set that already fits, so returning customers typically pay less for the same design. Changes and additions are priced on top.

Why does professional installation cost more than doing it myself?

You're paying for commercial-grade materials, insured crews trained on steep rooflines, service calls when something goes out in December, takedown, and storage. The less obvious cost of doing it yourself is the roof: staples and nails driven into shingles or fascia create small holes that can turn into leaks a season or two later. We hang everything on clips — nothing penetrates the roof.

Are permanent Christmas lights cheaper in the long run?

Often, on the right house. Permanent architectural LED systems cost more upfront than a season of temporary lights, but there's no annual installation fee, and they handle every holiday from an app. On tall or complex homes where the yearly install is expensive, permanent lighting can pay for itself within a few seasons. We quote both so you can compare real numbers.

When should I book to get the best price and date?

Before Halloween. Pricing doesn't change much through the season, but availability does — installs begin in early November and the schedule is usually full by the week after Thanksgiving. Booking early holds your install window at no cost.

Do you offer free quotes?

Yes. We walk the property with you and give you a firm, itemized price — no charge and no pressure. Call (803) 889-0096 to set one up.

Straight talk, from the owners

What Christmas Light Installation Really Costs

There's no honest one-size price, so we quote every home after walking it. What we can tell you is exactly what moves the number, and what a single price should cover: design, the lights, installation, service calls in December, takedown in January, and storage until next year.

Get My Exact Price (803) 889-0096

Get an Exact Price for Your Home

Our holiday lighting runs as its own company, Christmas Lighting Done 4 U — co-owned by John of Fireflies, James of Best Roofing Now, and Matt of Red Moose Pressure Washing. Quotes are free and firm.

Visit Christmas Lighting Done 4 U (980) 983-3354

The Cost Nobody Quotes You

Owner, Best Roofing Now — Partner, Fireflies Holiday Lighting

I own a roofing company, so here's the cost that never shows up on a Christmas lighting quote: the roof.

The fast way to hang lights is a staple gun along the eave or nails into the fascia. Every one of those is a small hole. Water finds them, and because a slow leak can take a season or two to show up as a ceiling stain, almost nobody connects it back to the lights. By then you're paying for a roof repair, not a light install.

I'm not telling you that to scare you into hiring us. If you want to hang your own lights, use plastic clips, stay off a wet roof, and you'll be fine. I'm telling you because when you compare quotes, the cheapest crew is usually cheap because they're fast — and fast, on a roof, means staples. Ask anybody you're considering exactly how the lights attach. If the answer isn't “clips,” keep calling.

Nothing we hang penetrates your roof. That rule was my condition for getting into this business, and it's not negotiable.

— James

What Moves the Price Up or Down

Linear feet of roofline

The biggest single number. We cut strands to fit your rooflines exactly, so more peaks, dormers, and returns means more material and more time on the roof.

Height and pitch

A walkable single-story ranch is quick. A steep two-and-a-half-story lake house needs more safety setup, sometimes a lift, and a crew that knows what it's doing up there.

Trees and greenery

Wrapping a trunk properly takes a surprising amount of light and labor. Three big oaks along a driveway can cost as much as the roofline — and usually look better.

How many sides of the house

Most homes get lit on the street side only. On the lakes we often light the water side too, because that's the side your neighbors and every passing boat actually see.

Wreaths, garland, and extras

Lit wreaths, garland on railings and columns, and door swags are priced per piece. They're what make a house look finished rather than outlined.

Christmas light installation on Lake Norman Christmas light installation in Lake Wylie

Pricing Questions

Want the Real Number for Your House?

We'll walk it with you and give you a firm, itemized price. Free, no pressure, and we'll tell you where the money actually shows.

Get Your Free Estimate

Call (803) 889-0096

Free estimates & nighttime demonstrations available