“I looked it up online, and it says the average is around $450. Why is my quote different?”
We hear some version of that on almost every estimate call. Last fall, a homeowner in Howell asked it word for word, a little nervous, like she expected us to get defensive. We didn’t. We told her both numbers were true, and then we explained why. That conversation is basically this whole post.
So here is the honest answer on the average cost for professional Christmas light installation in 2026, from a crew that writes these quotes every season in Livingston County, Michigan.
What Is the Average Cost for Professional Christmas Light Installation? The Short Answer
National cost guides put average professional Christmas light installation at $220 to $684, or about $444. Those figures mostly cover labor-only jobs using lights you already own. Full-service installation, where the company provides commercial-grade LED lights, design, repairs, takedown and storage, averages $800 to $2,000 for a typical home in 2026.
That gap is not a trick. It is two different services sharing one name. Once you see them side by side, every quote you get will make a lot more sense.
Why “Average” Means Two Different Things
When Angi or HomeAdvisor report a $444 average, they are blending mostly one kind of job. Someone comes out, hangs the lights you bought, and leaves. Our quotes, and those of most full-service holiday lighting companies, cover a very different package.
Labor-only installation: $2 to $5 per linear foot
You buy the lights, clips and timers. The installer hangs them. That is usually where the service ends.
If a strand dies in mid-December, you either climb up yourself or pay for a return trip. Takedown is often a separate charge. National guides show removal alone running $100 to $400.
Full-service installation with lights included: $5 to $12 per linear foot
The company provides the lights, designs the display, installs it, keeps it working all season, takes it down and stores it. HomeGuide puts all-inclusive pricing in this $5 to $12 per foot range, and that matches what we see on our own estimates.
What full-service includes
Here is the checklist we walk through with every customer. If a quote you are comparing is missing any of these, it is not really the same service.
- Commercial-grade C9 LED lights, custom cut to your roofline
- A custom design, plus a free digital rendering of your home before you commit
- Professional installation with clips that protect shingles and gutters
- In-season maintenance, with a 48-hour repair guarantee
- Takedown after the holidays
- Off-season storage in a heated warehouse
- One price, no hidden fees
And here is the comparison that clears up most of the confusion:
| Labor-only | Full-service | |
| What you pay | $2 to $5 per foot | $5 to $12 per foot |
| What you get | Installation only | Lights, design, install, repairs, takedown, storage |
| Who owns the lights | You | The installer provides them |
| Who fixes outages | You, or a paid return visit | Included, within 48 hours for us |
| Who takes them down | Usually extra, $100 to $400 | Included |
One of our team put it simply during a quote last season: “We only install lights we provide. That way, when we promise the display will stay lit, we actually control the thing we are promising.” It is a quality decision more than a pricing one. We cannot honestly warranty a strand someone bought on sale three winters ago.
Average Cost by Home Size
Size and height move the number more than anything else. Here is how the two models compare across typical homes.
| Home size | Labor-only | Full-service |
| Small single-story | $200 to $450 | Under $1,200 |
| Two-story | $350 to $800 | $1,200 to $2,200 |
| Large and estate homes | $700 to $2,500 | $2,500 to $5,000 |
Small single-story homes
A clean ranch roofline is the quickest install we do. Most of the single-story homes we light in Fowlerville land comfortably under $1,200 with everything included.
Two-story homes
This is our most common job by far. The extra height, peaks and dormers add both footage and ladder time, which is why these usually fall between $1,200 and $2,200.
Large and estate homes
Bigger properties usually want more than the roofline. Around the lakes in Brighton, it is common to add wrapped trees, garland on the entry and wreaths, and that is what pushes a display toward $5,000.
Image suggestion: wide exterior shot of a lit two-story home from the company gallery. Alt text: “average cost for professional christmas light installation on a two-story Michigan home”
What Pushes a Quote Above Average
If your quote came in higher than you expected, one of these is usually the reason.
Roof height and steepness
Steep pitches and second or third stories need more safety setup and slower, careful work. Some companies add a surcharge of around 20% for high roofs. Ask whether that is baked in or added later.
Trees, wreaths and garland add-ons
Tree wrapping is detail work. National guides put small trees at $75 to $200 each, and larger trees climb from there. Wreaths and garland add both material and time.
Custom colors and patterns
Warm white in a straight line is the baseline. Alternating colors, multicolor runs and custom patterns take more planning and bulb placement, so they add a bit to the total.
Region and demand timing
Prices vary by area, and the calendar matters too. Some companies charge a premium for late-season bookings once crews are stretched thin. Booking in October almost always gives you more options and a smoother install date.
A Real Example From Our Season
Here is one job from last season that shows what an average full-service quote actually covers.
A two-story colonial in Howell. About 170 feet of roofline, with two peaks over the garage. The owners wanted classic warm white C9 bulbs and asked us to wrap two mini evergreens flanking the front door.
The quote came to right around $1,500. Roughly $1,250 of that was the roofline, including the peaks. The two wrapped mini trees added about $250.
What did that $1,500 pay for?
- The commercial-grade C9 LEDs themselves, which they never had to buy
- A digital rendering they approved before we scheduled anything
- The full install, done in one visit
- Takedown in January and storage until next fall
There was one more thing. Right after New Year’s, a windy night knocked a section loose above the garage. They called us, and we were out within a day and a half to fix it. That visit cost them nothing. It was already part of the price.
Their first thought, when they saw $1,500 next to the $444 online, was that it seemed high. Their thought in January was a lot different.
Is Professional Installation Worth the Average Price?
For some people, honestly, no. If your budget is tight and you enjoy doing it yourself, DIY can win. We would rather tell you that than oversell you.
But it helps to count the real DIY costs first:
- Quality LED lights for a full roofline: often $200 to $400
- Clips, extension cords and a timer: another $50 to $100
- Replacement strands every few seasons as retail lights wear out
- Two weekends of your time, one to hang and one to take down
- Ladder risk on cold, sometimes icy Michigan shingles
Commercial-grade C9 LEDs are brighter and built to last many more seasons than most retail strands. When you add in repairs, takedown and storage, the gap between DIY and full-service shrinks faster than most people expect.
For busy families, the real value is time. You get your weekends back, nobody is on a ladder in December, and the house looks exactly the way you pictured.
A tip whenever you hire any installer: ask how the lights are attached, and ask for proof of insurance. Staples and nails through shingles are a common shortcut, and they can cause roof damage that costs far more than the lights.
FAQ
How much do installers charge to put up lights you already own?
Labor-only installers typically charge $2 to $5 per linear foot, which usually works out to $220 to $684 for an average home. Takedown is often billed separately, so ask before you book.
Why do some companies charge so much more than others?
Most of the time, they are not selling the same thing. A higher quote usually includes commercial-grade lights, repairs all season, takedown and storage. A lower quote often covers labor only. Compare line by line, not just the total.
Do professional installers take the lights down for free?
It depends on the company. Many labor-only installers charge $100 to $400 for removal. With full-service providers like us, takedown and storage are included in the price from the start.
How much should I budget for a two-story house?
For full-service installation, most two-story homes land between $1,200 and $2,200. The average cost for professional Christmas light installation on a two-story home goes up with roofline length, pitch and any trees or wreaths you add.
What is included in a full-service holiday lighting package?
A true full-service package covers the lights, a custom design, installation, in-season maintenance, takedown and storage. Ours also includes a free digital rendering beforehand and a 48-hour repair guarantee all season long.
Skip the Averages, Get Your Exact Number
Averages are a good starting point. They just cannot measure your roofline.
If you are in Livingston County, the easiest next step is a free estimate. We will measure your home, create a free digital rendering so you can see the design first, and give you one clear price with no hidden fees.
Request your free professional Christmas light installation quote or call us at (810) 522-8950. If you want local numbers by home type, our guide to Christmas light installation cost in Livingston County breaks it down town by town. You can also see everything our residential holiday lighting service covers.
