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Cost guide · 2026 season
Christmas light installation cost
What homeowners pay to have outdoor Christmas lights put up, by home size, by foot and by job – from two national cost guides, with the dates they were updated.
Every figure dated and sourcedCost by home size
The bigger the house, the more roofline there is to light and the higher the ladder work. Angi groups it like this:
| Home | Roofline | Average | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small, one story | 100–150 ft | $250 | $200–$450 |
| Medium, two story | 150–250 ft | $450 | $350–$800 |
| Large, three story | 250–400 ft | $900 | $700–$1,500 |
| Estate or custom | 400+ ft | $1,200 | $1,000–$2,500 |
Source: Angi, updated May 3, 2026. National figures.
Cost per linear foot
Installers usually quote by the foot of roofline. The two guides disagree here: Angi reports $2 to $5 per foot, HomeGuide $5 to $12. Our reading is that the gap is the spread between a plain roofline with basic lights and a fully serviced display with commercial-grade bulbs, maintenance and takedown included. HomeGuide's table by footage:
| Lit footage | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| 50 ft | $250–$600 |
| 100 ft | $500–$1,200 |
| 150 ft | $750–$1,800 |
| 200 ft | $1,000–$2,400 |
| 250 ft | $1,300–$3,000 |
| 300 ft | $1,500–$3,600 |
| 400 ft | $2,000–$4,800 |
Source: HomeGuide, updated October 1, 2025.
Not sure how much roofline you have? The roofline estimator on our homepage gives a rough footage for one, two and three story homes.
Cost by type of job
| Job | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Roofline only | $250–$1,500 | Angi, HomeGuide |
| Full package: roofline, windows, doors, trees, bushes | $750–$5,000 | Angi, HomeGuide |
| Custom or animated display | $1,000–$8,000 | Angi |
| Takedown only | $100–$400 | HomeGuide |
| Permanent LED lighting, 100–200 ft | $2,000–$8,000 | HomeGuide |
| Minimum charge per job | $150–$300 | Angi |
| Hourly labor, where charged | $60–$100 an hour | Angi |
Businesses and HOAs are quoted site by site – see commercial Christmas light installation.
What the price usually includes
A professional season normally covers more than hanging the lights. Most quotes bundle some or all of:
- Design – a walk-around or photo mock-up of what goes where.
- The lights – often commercial-grade LEDs supplied on a lease, cut to fit your roofline.
- Installation with clips, so nothing is nailed or stapled into shingles or gutters.
- Service calls if a strand goes out during the season.
- Takedown after the holidays, and storage until next fall.
When we checked the websites of the 1210 installers in this directory, 524 mentioned takedown and 377 mentioned storage. Ask each installer you contact which of these are in the price and which cost extra.
What makes a quote higher or lower
- Footage. The single biggest driver. More roofline, more lights, more labor.
- Height and roof pitch. Two and three story homes and steep roofs take longer and need more safety gear.
- Bulb type. Large C9 bulbs on the roofline cost more per foot than mini lights; wrapping tree trunks and canopies is priced separately.
- Lease or buy. Leased lights keep the first-year price down; buying costs more up front.
- Design. Colour changes, animation and extra elements such as wreaths and garland add cost.
- When you book. Installers fill their calendars through October and November, and many have a minimum charge – $150 to $300 according to Angi.
Running costs
Electricity is a small part of the bill with LEDs. Angi estimates an incandescent display at $30 to $75 a month to run, and the LED equivalent at $5 to $20. Replacement strands run about $20 to $50 each (Angi).
Doing it yourself instead
You save the labor but take on the ladder work, the storage and the electrics. If you go that way, use lights rated for outdoor use and follow the CPSC's rule of thumb: never string together more than three sets of incandescent lights, and never overload an outlet. Our guide to hiring an installer covers what to ask if you decide to hand it over.
Sources
- Angi – How much does Christmas light installation cost? – updated May 3, 2026; read September 22, 2026
- HomeGuide – Christmas light installation cost – updated October 1, 2025; read September 22, 2026
- HomeGuide – Permanent Christmas lights cost – updated September 17, 2024; read September 22, 2026
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – Holiday safety – read September 22, 2026
All figures are national. Your price depends on your home, your design and your area – get two or three written quotes.
Questions
Christmas light installation cost FAQ
How much does Christmas light installation cost?
Angi puts the national average at $444, with most homeowners paying $220 to $684 (updated May 2026). A basic roofline runs $250 to $1,500 and a full package with windows, trees and bushes $750 to $5,000, according to both Angi and HomeGuide.
How much do installers charge per foot?
Angi reports $2 to $5 per linear foot and HomeGuide $5 to $12 (updated October 2025). Permanent lighting is priced differently, at $20 to $40 per foot installed (HomeGuide).
Is takedown included in the price?
Often, but not always. When we checked installers' websites, 524 of the 1210 in this directory mentioned takedown and 377 mentioned storage. If you only need lights taken down, HomeGuide puts removal alone at $100 to $400.
Is it cheaper to buy the lights or lease them?
Many installers supply the lights on a lease: you pay each season, they own, store and replace them. Buying costs more the first year but you keep the lights. Ask for the quote both ways and compare over three seasons.
Are permanent lights cheaper in the long run?
They cost more up front – $2,000 to $8,000 for 100 to 200 feet (HomeGuide) – but there is no yearly install. On HomeGuide's figures the gap closes after roughly two to eight seasons. See the permanent lights guide.
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