How Much Does Christmas Light Installation Cost? What Drives the Price
Short answer: you are paying for design, product, labor, safety and service, not just a string of lights. The size of the property, the height of the roofline and what is included (service calls, removal, storage) move the price more than anything else.
Cost is usually the last question before someone asks for a quote. It is also the hardest one to answer in general terms. Two homes on the same street can price very differently.
This guide shows typical national ranges from public cost guides. It then explains what drives the price and how to compare quotes in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Short answer: what you are paying for
Public cost guides publish national averages. These are not our prices, and they are not Dallas-specific. They are a starting point for budgeting.
Source (national figures) | What it reports |
|---|---|
Angi (updated Oct 2026) | National average of $444; typical range of $220 to $684; $2 to $5 per linear foot |
Angi, by home size | Small one-story homes average $250; two-story $450; three-story $900; estate or custom (400+ linear feet) $1,200, with a range up to $2,500 |
HomeAdvisor (updated Jun 2026) | Same $444 average and $220 to $684 range; multi-story homes up to $1,300; hard-to-reach roofs about 20% more |
Fixr (updated Jan 2025) | Average of $450 for LED lights on a 1,500 sq ft home; typical range of $250 to $650; removal of $125 to $350 per project |
These figures are national averages for basic residential work. Custom designs, large estates and commercial properties often fall outside them. Angi lists custom installations at $1,000 to $8,000 nationally. Ask any company for a written quote for your own property.
What is usually included
Quotes differ most in what they cover. A low number can leave out service, removal or the lights themselves. Use this checklist when you read a quote.
✓ Custom design for your home or property
✓ Commercial-grade lights and clips, custom-fit to your rooflines
✓ Professional installation by an insured crew
✓ Timers or controls set up and tested
✓ Service calls during the season if a section goes out
✓ Removal after the holidays
✓ Storage of the product until next season
Christmas Decor by Carruthers Decorative Lighting includes all of these in its holiday lighting model. That covers custom design, leased commercial-grade LED product, installation, in-season maintenance and service calls, post-holiday removal and storage.
Cost factors
Every quote is built from a few measurable things. The table shows what moves the number up or down.
Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
Linear feet of roofline | More footage means more product and more labor. Most quotes start here. |
Stories and roof pitch | Two- and three-story homes and steep roofs need more ladder work, more safety gear and more time. |
Trees wrapped | Trunks and canopies take many lights and careful hand work. Large live oaks add up fast. |
Bulb type and spacing | C9 vs C7, mini lights, and tighter spacing all change the product count. |
Décor pieces | Wreaths, garland, swags and lit trees add product and setup time. |
Power | Extra runs, timers or controls are needed when outlets are far from the display. |
Commercial access and lifts | Tall buildings, signs and parking lots may need lifts and traffic control. |
After-hours work | Some commercial sites need work outside business hours to avoid customers and traffic. |
Service and removal | Quotes that include service calls, removal and storage cost more up front but cover the full season. |
Leasing vs buying your lights
Some companies sell you the lights. Others, like us, lease commercial-grade product that is custom-fit to your property. Each approach has trade-offs.
Lease (full service) | Buy (own the lights) | |
|---|---|---|
Who owns the lights | The installer | You |
Product quality | Commercial-grade, chosen by the installer | Depends on what you buy |
Burned-out sections | Installer services them during the season | You replace them or pay a service fee |
Removal | Included in the program | You remove them or pay extra |
Storage | Installer stores them | Garage or attic space |
Changing the design | Easier from year to year | Limited to what you own |
Buying can look cheaper on paper. Add the cost of replacements, your time, ladder risk and storage space before you decide.
Is professional installation worth it?
For many homeowners, the answer comes down to time and height. A single-story ranch with a short roofline is a reasonable DIY job. A two-story home in Frisco or Allen with steep gables is a different story.
You skip ladder work on high or steep roofs
The display is designed to fit the house, not the box of lights
Someone else fixes a dark section in mid-December
Removal and storage are handled after the holidays
Residential vs HOA vs commercial quotes
Different property types are priced in different ways. The scope and paperwork are not the same.
Residential: priced on rooflines, trees and décor. We offer residential lighting in Plano, Frisco, Allen and Richardson, including large estates.
HOA: entrances, monument signs, medians and amenity centers. Boards often need a written proposal and certificates of insurance.
Commercial: buildings, storefronts, dealerships, venues and municipal spaces. Lifts, after-hours work and tenant rules can add scope.
In Dallas itself, we work with commercial properties and HOAs. Learn more about residential Christmas lighting, commercial Christmas lighting, HOA holiday lighting and our work in Dallas.
How to compare quotes line by line
Quotes vary because companies include different things. Put them side by side and ask the same questions of each one.
Is the design custom to my property, or a package?
Are the lights commercial-grade LED, and who owns them?
How many linear feet, trees and décor pieces are included?
Is the crew insured with liability and workers' compensation?
Are in-season service calls included if something goes out?
Is removal included, and when does it happen?
Is storage included until next year?
What install dates are open, and how firm are they?
If one quote is much lower, check which of these lines it leaves out.
How to get an accurate quote fast
A little information up front speeds things up. Send these with your request.
Property address and type (home, HOA, commercial)
Photos of the front of the property, day and night if possible
Which areas you want lit: rooflines, trees, entrances, signs
Any HOA or landlord rules you know of
Your preferred install timing
Color preference: warm white, multicolor or a theme
Install dates fill early each year. See when to book Christmas light installation in Dallas for a month-by-month calendar. You can reach our office at 972-620-9560, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Is it cheaper to buy or lease Christmas lights?
Buying can cost less up front over many years if you install and store the lights yourself. Leasing bundles commercial-grade product, service, removal and storage, so there are fewer surprise costs during the season.
Does the price include taking the lights down?
It depends on the company. Fixr lists removal at $125 to $350 per project nationally when it is billed separately. Our holiday lighting program includes post-holiday removal and storage.
Why do quotes vary so much between companies?
Companies include different things. One quote may cover design, commercial-grade product, service calls, removal and storage. Another may cover install labor only. Compare line by line.
Do you charge by the foot?
Linear footage is one of the main inputs, but it is not the only one. Height, trees, décor, power and access all shape a custom quote. We price each property after reviewing it.
Is service during the season included if a section goes out?
With us, yes. In-season maintenance and service calls are part of our holiday lighting program. Ask any company you compare whether service calls are included or billed extra.
Homeowners in Plano, Frisco, Allen and Richardson: get a custom lighting design and quote. Commercial properties and HOAs across Dallas-Fort Worth: request a property walk and proposal. Certificates of insurance available.
