Most of us have Christmas light installation costs starred as IMPORTANT in our holiday to-do list. After all, the perfect outdoor lighting that channels the festive spirit of the season. Besides, the total cost of Christmas light installation depends on several factors.  In fact, whether you’re going all DIY or hiring professionals for the job also impacts the total cost. But really, how does Christmas light installation cost? Keep reading to find out. Here is a thorough breakdown on the total expenses you should expect on Christmas light installation.

What is the Total Christmas light installation cost?

You can expect an average of around $400-$450 which usually includes lighting for the trees in your front yard and roofline. Moreover, the total cost of Christmas light installation depends on several factors. These include your needs, the type of lights used, and how extensive the outdoor lighting décor is. As these factors vary the total expense also changes. Let’s give you an estimation on the lowest and the highest you may have to pay as Christmas light installation cost. 

Cost Range for Christmas Light Installation
Highest CostAverage CostLowest Cost
$1000-$1200$400-$450$100-$120

Note: All the costs mentioned in this blog are estimates. For an accurate quote, it is better that you contact a lighting installation professional.

Want to know how much your Christmas light installation will cost? We have you covered! At LightDMV, we offer FREE DETAILED QUOTES for all your outdoor lighting needs. By assessing your needs and ideas, we’ll create the best ever setup to light up your exterior.

What are the Factors Affecting Christmas Installation Cost?

As aforementioned, there are a lot of aspects that impact the total Christmas lights installation cost. They’ll decide for how much – more or less – you’re going to pay to adorn your home or business. Let’s list them down for your ease:

  • Property Size
  • Property Type
  • Type of Lights
  • Lighting Display
  • Labor Cost
  • Electric Wiring
  • Permanent Installation

1. Property Size

You should know that larger the property (home or business) more lights are needed to adorn it. Besides, the installation process also becomes more complex. As a result, the cost of Christmas light installation. On the other hand, small homes or commercial spaces have less surface area to cover with lighting. This means lesser holiday lighting expenses. 

2. Property Type

When it comes to the question how much does Christmas light installation cost, you have to consider the type of your home or business. For instance, properties with intricate roofing structures, arches or dormers, or other decorative elements make it difficult to install lights. So, the prices may be high. Besides, you also need to consider whether your property is one-story, two-story, or three-story. After all, all the floors should be beautifully adorned for Christmas festivities. 

Christmas Lighting Tip!
You can consider permanent holiday lighting for your three-story home or commercial space. It’s usually more cost-effective and convenient than going for temporary Christmas lights every time.

3. Type of Lights

Different types of outdoor lighting come in different lights. You should always choose the one that fits your lighting vision, property aesthetics, and budget. Moreover, the price of lighting directly impacts the Christmas lighting installation cost. And you should have this point in mind while picking the lights. Anyway, the options you have include: LED lights, Incandescent lights, and dome lights, etc. Here, we have rated some lights from least expensive to most expensive:

Rating Lights Per Cost
Type of LightingCost Range
Incandescent LightsLeast Expensive
LED String LightsSlightly More Expensive
Mini LightsModerate
C7/C9 BulbsModerate to High

4. The Lighting Display

Want a minimal display? Or something edgy and festive? Well, how extensiveness of your Christmas lighting décor also impacts the overall cost. The simpler the display, the lower the cost. On the other hand, if you choose something complicated, you’ll have to pay a higher price. After all, the setup will require more lights and more labor. People even go all-out and choose super decorative displays like Light Up reindeers or Christmas trees – that’s surely going to cost higher than conventional installations.

5. Labor

If you are estimating how much does it cost to have Christmas lights installed, labor is one of the most vital factors. While some people go DIY-ing the installation of displays, most people prefer hiring professionals for the task. And if you hire someone, you have to pay them too. This will add up to the overall Christmas light installation cost. Furthermore, you’ll have to pay a higher price for complicated jobs as compared to a conventional setup at a simple home exterior. Furthermore, the labor cost also depends on the service provider you pick. So, it’s always better to get multiple quotes. 

6. Electric Wiring

Most people ignore this during cost estimations of Christmas lights. However, this one also holds a great impact. After all, higher quality wiring will charge you more. But it is always a smart choice to have good-quality wires backing your holiday lighting displays. So, even if it costs you more, we recommend that you pick quality over your wallet. 

7. Permanent Installation

The best thing about permanent lighting is that you have to pay an upfront amount once and you are sorted for years. Yes, that’s right! This is so because these lights are PERMANENT. Besides, these lights are more suitable for larger properties like three story homes, malls, convenience stores, etc. After all, with properties this much big you can’t spend that much of money, time and effort of installing and taking down lights every year. 

Did You Know?
Permanent Holiday Lights can last around 6 to 15 years. So, they surely are a good long-term investment.

Cost Comparison – DIY vs. Professional Installation

Some people prefer DIY Christmas light installation because they think it saves money. But does it really? Or is professional installation a better option? The truth is: installing your lights yourself may seem a good saving strategy but it can cost you your safety. So, it’s always better to have professional installers by your side. 

They are thoroughly trained to safely and smoothly illuminate your home. Besides, they even have a creative eye to make sure your display looks eye pleasing. Also, they keenly consider factors that you may overlook like snow or moisture exposure. Still, can’t decide which one is a better option? Here is a comprehensive DIY vs. Professional Installation price comparison for:

Price Comparison – DIY vs. Professional Installation
FactorsDIYProfessional Installers
InstallationNo labor costs, more riskIncludes labor costs, risk-free
Tools & EquipmentVariableIncluded in quote
Design ComplexityLimitedEndless options
Removal CostsNo labor cost, more riskIncludes labor costs, risk-free
Overall ConvenienceRequires more effort and planningOffers convenience and peace of mind, with everything handled by experts

Conclusion on Christmas Light Installation Cost

Is Christmas around the corner? Make your festivities merrier with some Christmas lighting installation. Moreover, when it’s that time of the year, most people start worrying about the costs. After all, they increase or decrease every year. Apart from this the overall cost of holiday lighting displays also depend on the size of your house, its exterior design, the display you want as well as the labor expense. And hey, if you are thinking of going DIY, it’s better that you change your mind. This is so because doing your job yourself can come with a lot of safety risks.