Should you hire someone to put up Christmas lights?

Posted by on Thursday, December 3rd, 2015 at 4:01pm.

We all know that famous Christmas movie when the sincere but inept Clark Griswold slides off the roof of his home while putting up Christmas decorations.

Funny in a movie, but not in real life.

Christmas light installation is becoming big business as home owners realize that a professional can put up more lights, in less time and in a safe manner.  Plus, to get that perfect Pinterest or Houzz look, it takes a crew of people with big ladders and even a truck with a bucket.

Hiring an installation company to decorate the exterior is a great idea for seniors, too.

Hire Wisely

Since hanging Christmas lights is purely seasonal it’s an easy job for landscaping, construction, arborists or roofing companies to pick up since winter is an off-season.  Choose a company that’s been in business for a while.  You not only want them to put up your lights, you want to make sure they’re around to take them down again after Christmas.   You might save a few dollars by finding someone who has posted an ad online or put up a roadside sign but don’t let your budget completely dictate which company you chose.

Some light installers will store your lights or exterior decorations for you until next Christmas.  Imagine having that extra space back in your garage, and not having to untangle that ball of Christmas lights every year.

Another reason to use a licensed company is because they will carry insurance.  With people up on your roof or standing on ladders two storeys off the ground, you want to make sure they’re insured and covered by Worker’s Compensation. Otherwise, any incidents will fall back on you as the homeowner.

If the company employees a certified arborist, they will have the ropes, tackle and safety harness if you’re looking for lights to be strung up in trees on your property.  A construction company or a roofer might have their own boom to get at the tree tops and second story windows.

Make sure to get quotes from several companies.  You want to make sure that the prices you receive are fair.  Ask what the price they are giving you includes, such as repairs, take-downs and drive-bys to make sure nothing has fallen down.

Ask to see photos of previous jobs so you can see exactly what their range of expertise is.

What kind of lights to use?

Some professional outfits will have their own LED commercial grade lights with 18-guage wire and a warranty.  Many will hang your personal lights but may charge a fee to return to your home should bulbs fail or burn out.  They may not touch light strings that are old with frayed cords that could be a fire hazard, for liability reasons.

LED lights are the way to go, using about 2% of the power that older Christmas lights use plus they burn cool. There are companies which have their own lights, including extension cords and power boosters, along with the technology to light up your home with a unique design.  Plus, they can orchestrate the lighting on your home to that it’s synchronized with your choice of festive music.  This type of extreme-Christmas lighting can be upwards of $1,500 or as high as $10,000 depending on the size of your home. 

Leave a Comment