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Christmas Light Installation: Hire a Pro or DIY?
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What a pro costs (Fixr, updated January 31, 2025)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Typical project | $250 to $650; national average $450 for LED lights on a 1,500 sq. ft. home |
| With trees and landscape | Up to $1,500 for a 1,500 sq. ft. house |
| By stories (1,500 sq. ft.) | One story $275 to $475; two stories $425 to $630; three stories $525 to $750 |
| Per linear foot of roofline | $2 to $5 for materials and labor. Labor $1.50 to $3.50; strands add $0.50 to $1.50 |
| Hard-to-reach roofs (about 16 feet or higher) | $3.50 to $6 per foot. Multi-level or hard-to-reach eaves add 20% to 25% |
| Individuals, by the hour | About $60 to $100 per hour |
| Takedown | $125 to $350 per project, or $0.50 to $0.65 per foot; most companies include it in packages |
| Rental with installation | $200 to $600 |
Source: Fixr, a cost-estimate site. Its FAQ also gives a different range ($800 to $1,500) that does not match its main figures, so get local quotes. Larger companies may offer packages with consultation, strands, installation, takedown and replacements in season; Fixr says the homeowner only provides power. Fixr says booking before the season can earn a 10% to 20% discount.
What DIY costs
- LED strands: $6 to $60 each (Fixr).
- Timers: $12 to $50 each (Fixr).
- A new outdoor outlet from an electrician: $120 to $200 (Fixr).
- Your time and ladder risk. Fixr says a pro avoids ladder work, tangled wiring, outlet placement issues and takedown. It gives no DIY labor cost.
Use the calculator to count strands and clips for your house, then price them.
DIY or hire?
| Do it yourself if... | Hire a pro if... |
|---|---|
| Your roofline is low and easy to reach, and you can follow the ladder rules with a helper. | The roof is tall, steep or multi-story. Fixr's hard-to-reach range starts at about 16 feet. |
| You want to choose the lights and reuse them for years. | You do not want to climb, store or take down lights. Most packages include takedown (Fixr). |
| An outdoor GFCI outlet is already nearby. | You need a new outlet or wiring. Only a licensed electrician should do that. |
| You have clips and the time to do it in dry weather. | You have gutter guards or a surface that needs special care. LeafFilter suggests professionals for gutter guards, though it sells that service itself. |
Questions to ask an installer
These are our suggestions, not from a source.
- What exactly is in the quote: lights, clips, installation, timers, takedown, storage?
- What happens if a strand goes out in December?
- Are you licensed and insured where I live, and can you show proof?
- How do you attach lights to my gutters, shingles or stucco? (See our stucco and gutter guard guides for what to expect.)
- When do you take them down, and is it included?
Thinking about a system that stays up all year? See permanent vs seasonal.
Want a pro to do it?
Ask for written quotes. Ask what is included: lights, installation, takedown, storage and repairs during the season.
Get installer quotesMeasure firstCommon questions
How much does it cost to have someone hang Christmas lights?
Fixr (January 2025) says $250 to $650 for most homes, with a national average of $450 for LED lights on a 1,500 sq. ft. home. Per foot it is $2 to $5 for materials and labor. Get local quotes because prices vary.
Does installation include taking the lights down?
Fixr says most companies include removal in their installation packages. Taking them down separately costs $125 to $350 per project, or $0.50 to $0.65 per linear foot.
When should I book an installer?
Fixr says booking before the season can earn a 10% to 20% discount. Book early; do not wait until the week before.