Christmas light installation cost in 2026
Nationally, hiring a pro to hang Christmas lights runs about $220 to $685 for a typical house, or roughly $2.50 to $5 per linear foot with lights and labor (Angi, HomeGuide). Greater Boston is higher, about $3.90 to $10.90 per foot, and full-service decorating runs $1,500 or more. Many companies have a minimum of $500 or more.
What the cost guides report
| Source type | Typical figure | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Angi, national | About $444 average, $220 to $684 range | Professional install, varies by size |
| HomeGuide, national | $2.50 to $5 per linear foot all in; removal $0.50 to $0.60 per ft | Lights plus labor, removal billed separately |
| Thumbtack, national | About $168 to $300 average | Hanging, size dependent |
| Angi, Boston page (Greater Boston only) | $3.90 to $10.90 per linear foot | Regional range: materials about $0.80 to $3.10 per ft, labor about $3.10 to $7.80 per ft |
| Full decorating, national | About $1,500 average, $300 to $2,500+ | Lights, install, takedown, storage |
| Published installer prices (Boston area) | From about $899 to $1,600 for a classic roofline; $995 minimum at another | Install, service, takedown and storage, lights supplied |
| Takedown and storage | About $100 to $300 takedown; about $50 to $150 storage | Often billed separately |
| Permanent systems | $18 to $35 per ft, typically $2,000 to $6,000+ | See permanent vs seasonal |
These figures come from the cost guides linked above and from installer pages, checked in late October 2026. The Boston rows are regional, not national. Treat all of it as ranges, not quotes.
Check a quote against the per-foot numbers
Multiply your roofline length by the per-foot ranges to see if a quote is plausible before the minimum charge. Trimlight notes that most single-story houses need 100 to 150 ft of roofline lighting and larger ones 200 ft or more (Trimlight).
| Roofline | National, $2.50 to $5 per ft | Greater Boston, $3.90 to $10.90 per ft | Permanent, $18 to $35 per ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 ft | $150 to $300 | $234 to $654 | $1,080 to $2,100 |
| 100 ft | $250 to $500 | $390 to $1090 | $1,800 to $3,500 |
| 150 ft | $375 to $750 | $585 to $1635 | $2,700 to $5,250 |
| 200 ft | $500 to $1000 | $780 to $2180 | $3,600 to $7,000 |
Why second stories cost more
Part of the price is risk. CPSC counted 14,700 holiday decorating injuries in a single November and December, 41 percent of them falls, and 3 deaths from ladder falls. A crew that works from lifts, levels its ladders and carries insurance is charging for that, and it is the reason the second-floor edge is the run most homeowners hand off.
What changes the price
- Roofline length: the main driver. A 100 ft front costs about double a 50 ft front.
- Floors and roof pitch: a second story or steep roof adds labor and requires special equipment.
- Who owns the lights: if the company supplies and stores lights, the price includes them. If you own them, price is lower but you store them.
- Takedown and storage: often a separate fee, or included in the all-in price. Ask.
- Minimum charge: most companies set a minimum of $500 or more for a house.
- Extras: wreaths, garland, tree wraps and bushes. Each adds to the quote.
- Timing: books fill in October. Some give an early-booking discount.
- Region: labor is higher in big metros and cold-weather markets compress the season.
Pro install versus doing it yourself
A typical DIY roofline is $90 to $190 in lights, clips and cords for a 80 to 160 ft run, plus a few hours of your time. The materials are a fraction of a pro quote. What you pay a pro for is labor, ladders, insurance and the takedown. Compare with the parts lists for each style.
Doing the lower runs yourself and paying a pro for only the second-floor edge is a middle path some installers will quote.
Where to get a quote
Ask three local installers for a written quote that lists the roof edge length, what is included, the takedown date and fee, and a start date. See how to hire a Christmas light installer for the full checklist.
SnowPass (north of Boston) is a sister company of Hollyhush. Foothill Home Services is a partner installer in the Inland Empire (Rancho Cucamonga area), and we may be paid for referrals. Everywhere else, compare local installers with the questions in how to hire an installer.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire someone to hang Christmas lights?
Nationally about $220 to $685 for a typical house, or $2.50 to $5 per linear foot with lights and labor. Greater Boston runs higher, about $3.90 to $10.90 per foot. Many installers have a $500 or higher minimum.
How much does it cost to hang Christmas lights per foot?
Roughly $2.50 to $5 per foot nationally per HomeGuide, and $3.90 to $10.90 on the Greater Boston Angi page. Labor is most of it. Permanent systems cost $18 to $35 or more per foot.
Does the price include taking the lights down?
Sometimes. Many all-in prices include takedown and storage. Others bill takedown separately, about $100 to $300.
How much do Christmas lights cost for a two-story house?
A two-story front of 100 to 150 ft typically lands between $700 and $2,000 for a pro seasonal install, depending on roofline and who supplies the lights.
When should I book a Christmas light installer?
October. Many schedules fill by mid-November and some offer an early-booking discount.
Is it cheaper to do it myself?
Yes for the materials, about $90 to $190 for a classic roofline. You pay in time, a ladder and some risk.
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