Christmas light installation costs $240 to $650 on average or $2.50 to $5.00 per linear foot for the lights and installation labor. The total cost depends on the house size, light quality, and any other Christmas decorations needed. Fees are 20% more for homes with 2+ stories or steep roofs.

Lighting service pros charge $50 to $75 per hour with minimum service fees of $150 to $200.

Permanent Christmas lights cost $20 to $40 per linear foot, or $2,000 to $8,000 on average. This option is more expensive but eliminates the need to install and remove strings of lights every year. If you regularly pay for professional Christmas light installation, permanent lighting will pay for itself after a few years. 

Most people wait until after Halloween or the middle of November to install Christmas lights, but installations are typically available from early October onwards. Most homeowners remove Christmas lighting in the first week of the new year.

Christmas light installation typically takes from 2 to 5 hours on average or up to 2 days for large properties or complex layouts. The setup time varies greatly according to the size of the crew.

Basic exterior home decorations need 10 to 20 strands of Christmas lights that are 14' to 16' long. The total light strands needed depend on the home's size, overall light design, and the limits of the electrical system. Ask a professional for a custom home assessment.

Christmas light installers don’t expect tips but always appreciate it. You can tip $20 to $50 on average or 10% to 15% of the total cost if they exceed your expectations or provide excellent service.

Before hiring a Christmas light installer, make sure of the following:

• Ask if they have liability insurance to cover accidental damages.
• Compare estimates from at least 3 installers.
• Check their reviews from earlier installations on HomeGuide and Google.
• Keep a copy of the contract and labor warranty.
• Request a detailed list of all fees involved.
• Beware of the cheapest quotes for low-quality bulbs prone to failure or poor service standards.
• Don't make the final payment until after all the lights are hung.

• How long have you been installing Christmas lights?
• Can I see photos of your light installations and a references list?
• How big is the crew handling the Christmas lighting installation?
• Does your company provide repairs and fix issues after hanging the lights?
• How do I contact the project supervisor?
• Does this estimate include light removal at the end of the season?
• What types of lights are best for my project?
• Which light sizes and colors do you offer?
• Can my current electrical system handle these lights?
• Will you install Christmas lights that I've bought, or do you only hang your own lights?
• How long does installation take, and do I need to be home for that?
• Do you offer any Christmas light guarantees to change lights if they go out?
• Can you store my Christmas lights after the season?