How Much Does a Turnkey Christmas Light Installation Cost?
As the holiday season approaches, many homeowners dream of a professionally lit home that sparkles with cheer. One question always comes up: how much does a turnkey Christmas light installation cost?
To answer this, we spoke with Vance, owner of a company that has specialized exclusively in Christmas lighting for over 36 years. He shared in-depth insights into what goes into pricing, what customers often misunderstand, and what separates a reliable provider from a risky one.
This isn’t a generic cost estimate – it’s the real breakdown from someone who’s lit everything from cozy homes, to 90-foot trees, and seven-figure estates.
What Affects the Cost of Installing Christmas Lights?
The biggest factor? How much you want installed.
According to Vance, “Most customers only do the front of the house – and that averages around $700 to $800 for the first year.” That first-year cost includes both the lights and the labor. After that, the price drops significantly because you already own the lights.
If you want the lights to extend around the sides and back of the house, expect the cost to nearly double. A full perimeter on a home with 300-400 feet of roofline will naturally require more material, time, and planning.
Trees also impact the total price in a major way. Small ornamental trees might cost just $300–$400 for the first year. Labor-only follow-up years can be as low as $100–$200. But when wrapping large trees – especially if every branch is covered – prices can jump into the thousands.
“The most expensive tree we’ve done was around $35,000,” Vance recalls. “It was a massive 90-foot tree, and we wrapped it in three colors – red, green, and white – so it could be used year-round.”
Why Installations Become More Cost-Effective After the First Year
One of the biggest misconceptions around Christmas light installation costs is that the price stays the same every year.
But that’s only true if you lease your lights.
When you purchase your lights, the upfront investment is higher – but they last six to seven years. You then only pay for labor each season, which can cut the annual cost in half.
Vance explains it this way: “If you buy your lights, your first year might be $800. Next year, it’s just $300–$400 for installation. If you lease, you might pay $600 each year, but you’re always paying for materials.”
Worried about where to keep the lights? Professional installers like Vance’s team store them for you. They’ll bring them back out next year, handle the full install, and return for takedown – no stress, no boxes in the garage.
Comparing Basic and Premium Christmas Lights
If you’re comparing Christmas light installers’ price ranges, you’ll quickly realize there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Basic installations focus on rooflines and clean symmetry – typically white lights on the front-facing section of the home. Premium setups may include:
- Full home perimeter lighting
- Outlined windows, garage doors, and pillars
- Wreaths, garlands, and yard elements
- Color-changing lights (programmable by app or timer)
- Custom displays for events and holidays beyond Christmas
Vance shared a stunning example of what’s possible on the high end: “We did a project in Florida that cost around $100,000. It had color-changing lights on everything and a show that ran every night. Our average install crew could finish a typical home in an hour, this particular job took seven days.”
The Hidden Costs of Hiring the Wrong Installer
Some homeowners assume they can save money by hiring casual help – someone doing lights as a side gig or neighborhood teenager with a ladder. But that often comes with steep risks.
Modern homes are tall. Two- and three-story homes can reach 30 to 40 feet in height. That requires:
- Proper safety equipment
- Liability insurance
- Experience working at elevation
- Electrical knowledge
- Weather-resilient mounting methods
“People think it’s just putting up lights,” Vance says. “But when you’re dealing with that kind of height, or wrapping trees branch by branch, it’s about time, safety, and doing it right.”
Cheaper installers might skip key steps, reuse worn-out lights, or lack proper insurance – which can leave homeowners liable if something goes wrong.
As a seasoned Christmas lights company, Vance emphasizes that professional work means professional service. If something goes wrong mid-season (e.g., heavy snow damages a line), his team will respond within 24 hours to fix it.
Christmas Light Hanging Services: What to Expect
A full-service turnkey package typically includes:
- Design consultation and estimate
- Commercial-grade lights and materials
- Professional installation
- Off-season removal and takedown
- Storage of materials for next year
- Mid-season repairs or adjustments
Depending on the provider, some may offer leasing options, color upgrades, and year-round lighting packages for other holidays or events.
Understanding the Christmas Light Installation Price
To summarize Vance’s real-world numbers:
| Type of Install | First Year | Future Years (Labor Only) |
| Front of house only (150 ft) | $700–$800 | $300–$400 |
| Add sides/back | $1,400+ | $600+ |
| Small tree (7–9 ft) | $300–$400 | $100–$200 |
| Large tree (30–90 ft) | $2,000–$35,000+ | Varies |
| High-end full home display | $10,000–$100,000 | Varies |
The final cost of installing Christmas lights depends on your preferences. Your homes layout, and whether you’re looking for simplicity or show-stopping designs all dictate cost.
Choose Experience for a Safer, Stress-Free Season
Hiring a professional team of xmas light installers isn’t just about the display – it’s about peace of mind.
With the Christmas Light Professionals team, you’ll get:
- Safety and insurance coverage
- Durable materials
- Prompt service and repairs
- Beautiful, worry-free results
Whether you’re lighting up a cozy bungalow or decking out a luxury estate, knowing what goes into the pricing – and what separates professionals from amateurs – will help you make a confident decision this holiday season.
