An Overview of Expert Light Displays

Putting lights on your home during the holidays is a labor of love—between detangling them, checking for burned-out bulbs, and hanging the strands, it can require hours of your time. For Clark Griswold types, the effort is usually well worth it. However, there’s an alternative option that takes care of all the work for you while creating a display that’s the envy of the neighborhood: hiring professionals for the job.

Key considerations

Companies have actually been doing such installations for decades, but they’ve become an increasingly popular choice for homeowners in recent years. Here are some important factors to weigh before leaping in.

Goals
To begin, determine how you’d like your exterior to look during the holiday season. Do you want to go all out, cramming in as many bulbs as you can, or would you prefer simple elegance? Do you enjoy large LEDs or many small ones shimmering like little diamonds? And what color palette will you pick? Having such answers from the get-go can help you with . . .

Cost
Per the home-improvement site Angi, the average price of an expert install is $443, though Today’s Homeowner estimates a much higher one at a little over $1,000. Of course, yours will vary based on several factors, such as your home’s square footage, the type of bulbs, the number of lights, and whether they extend into your yard.

Upgrades
You may also want to ponder possibilities beyond the basics. For example, a convenient upgrade would be adding a timer so your display automatically turns on and off every night. Or up the fun factor by including twinkling lights, sound, or inflatables as part of your festive package. In addition, you can choose to keep your illumination up year-round if you wish—and, to make it even more impressive, purchase smart color-changing bulbs to match each holiday throughout the calendar. Angi estimates that a permanent setup can cost around $3,500.

Reviews
Look into companies who provide this service to your area, focusing on both their aggregate ratings and number of reviews. Then scour local neighborhoods searching for yard signs boasting their branding to get a firsthand look at their work. Even better, if you’re friendly with the homeowner, strike up a conversation with them to ascertain how they feel about the results. Getting the opinion (and possibly the pricing) from someone you know and trust would be invaluable.

Safety
Finally, be realistic about your own situation. If you are older, have difficulty moving, or own a tricky-to-navigate roof, safety could be a real concern. In such a circumstance, you may be better off letting a professional take care of the work. But account for their safety (and your liability) as well by checking that they’re insured.

How to vet businesses

Once you’re ready to start contacting companies, prepare a list of questions to ask to help ensure that you cover your bases. Use the classic reporter’s questions as your guide:

• Who from the company will install the lights, and how experienced are they? You could even ask who their supplier is—an established, trusted one such as Christmas Designers will likely deliver better, longer-lasting products.
• What’s included in the price and covered under the warranty? Also, what can be expected if something goes wrong after the lights are hung?
• When will they be mounted (i.e., how far in advance do you need to book the job?) and taken down?
• Where will everything be stored year over year: in your home or with the decorators?
• How many lights, cords, and sockets will be needed, and roughly how much energy will be used? Also, how will the lights look in the end? (Many companies will show you sample projects, much like an interior designer would.)
• Most importantly, why should the company do the job for you? Treat it like an interview, and be clear about what your expectations are if you go through with the install.

One final point—be sure to get multiple quotes, as you would with any other project. Doing so will allow you to compare packages to better guarantee that you’re getting the best bang for your buck.

Holiday lights are mainstays of the season, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend time and endure hassle to add them to your home’s exterior yourself, especially if you’re physically limited. After pondering all the relevant factors, you may just decide that hiring a professional is in the cards for you this year.