How to hire a Christmas light installer

Twelve questions to ask every installer

1. Are you insured, and can you send a certificate of liability insurance?
2. Do you have workers' compensation for your crew?
3. Do you supply the lights, or do I buy them?
4. What is the price for my roofline in feet, and what is your minimum?
5. Does the price include takedown and storage, and on what date?
6. What happens if a section goes out during the season?
7. What bulbs are used: C9 LED, commercial grade? Can I see a sample?
8. Will you design it with me, or can I send a photo of the look I want?
9. When will you install, and how much notice do I get?
10. How do you attach lights: clips only, with no nails or staples?
11. What is the payment schedule: deposit, balance, refund policy?
12. Can I talk to a recent customer?

What a good quote lists

• Total price and what is included: install, takedown, storage, service calls, and your HOA dates if you have one (typical HOA rules).
• Roofline length or number of runs, and each area to be lit.
• Light type, color and spacing.
• Dates: install week, takedown month.
• Insurance and who is responsible for damage.
• A written note about cords, timers and where they plug in.

Send a picture of the look you want. Use the free house preview to produce one, then share it with each installer so all quotes are for the same job.

What a careful crew does on your roof

You are paying for the risk, so check that the crew works the way the safety agencies say to. OSHA's ladder card and the CPWR hazard alert give a short list to watch for from the driveway.

• Ladders set on firm, level ground with levelers or feet that do not slide, base a quarter of the working length from the wall, and secured or held.
• At least 10 ft from overhead power lines, with no metal ladder near them.
• Three points of contact, and nobody standing on the top three rungs.
• Two people to carry and set a ladder, and ladders inspected before use.
• Lights that are listed and rated for outdoor use. The electrical code requires holiday lighting to be listed (IAEI), so ask to see the box or label.

Red flags

• A price quoted without measuring or seeing the house.
• No insurance, or an unwillingness to show it.
• A large cash deposit, or a price that is far below the others.
• Staples or nails to attach lights.
• No takedown date, or a separate takedown price you learn about later.
• Pressure to sign today.

Pro, DIY or both

A pro is worth it for tall rooflines, steep roofs and homes with many gables. A typical cost range is in Christmas light installation cost. DIY suits one-story fronts. Many homeowners combine: they do the porch, door, bushes and trees, and pay an installer for the roof edge. If you want to try the roof yourself, start with how to hang lights on gutters.

For a seasonal pro versus a permanent system, see permanent versus seasonal Christmas lights.

Local installers

Hollyhush does not install lights. SnowPass installs Christmas lights in towns north of Boston at snowpassboston.com. Foothill Home Services is a partner installer in the Inland Empire (Rancho Cucamonga area) at foothillhomeservices.com; we may be paid for referrals. Anywhere else, use the checklist above.