How much will your holiday lighting installation and removal cost?

Columbus, OH 43215

Holiday light installation costs$208 - $500

National average fixed price

  • Most common low price:$208
  • Most common high price:$500

How much does Christmas light installation cost?

By Thumbtack Staff

Last updated Mon, Jul 07

The national average cost to have Christmas lights installed ranges from around $208-$500, and most people pay around $323, according to Thumbtack data. Pricing depends on a range of factors including where you want the lights hung, the square footage of your property, whether you’ll need the installer to provide the lights, and whether you will also want the lights removed.

Christmas light installation cost

National average cost$323
Low-end average cost$208
High-end average cost$500
Christmas light installation and removal services can be a huge help for anyone who wants to brighten their home for the holidays (and make sure Santa doesn’t miss their house on Christmas Eve). Professional installers will take care of the tedious and often dangerous task of hanging holiday lights at the beginning of the season, and will return to remove everything after the holidays are over. Let’s get a sense of what you can ask for in terms of Christmas lighting installation and how much it will cost you.

Christmas light installation prices

Average Christmas light installation fees range from $1.25 to $3 per linear foot of lights if you already own the lights you need installed. Most installers charge twice as much to hang lights on the second story of a home as they do on the first. If your roof is hard to reach for anyone without a sleigh, that may cost an additional 20 percent because of the special equipment needed for the job.

Christmas lights price per strand

If you don’t already own Christmas lights, expect to pay between $4 and $30 per strand of lights on average, depending on the quality and type of lights.
Most average-sized homes between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet require at least 10 to 20 strands total. If you want the company installing your holiday lights to provide the lights, you can expect to pay between 50 cents and $2 per linear foot for the strands of lights alone.
Different kinds of lights are available, which will affect the cost. For example, LED lights cost more than incandescent lights, but use less energy and last longer, which can save money in the long run.

Cost of lights to wrap around trees

Wrapping outdoor trees with Christmas lights can cost anywhere from $60 for a small tree to $1,200 for a large tree, depending on the type, shape, and height of the tree. A deciduous tree with open branches requires tight wrapping of the light strings around the branches to achieve the best look, whereas putting lights in a conifer with a typical cone shape may take less time and require fewer lights.

Christmas light removal cost

Having the lights removed when the holiday season is over typically costs about half of what you paid to have the lights put up. Some installers include the cost of removal in the total price, so be sure to ask upfront.
Get free estimates from top-rated Light hangers.

How to save money on holiday light installation

You don’t need light up your entire house to make spirits bright. There are lots of ways to save money on holiday light installations and still have an end result that brings joy to the world. A few things to consider:
  • Purchase your own lights instead of buying lights from the installer.

  • Buy your holiday lights during the off-season or when they go on sale after the holidays.

  • Choose LED lights that will use less electricity and last for more holiday seasons: They may cost more upfront, but save on energy costs over time.

  • Be selective: Pick just a few areas to light in the exact way you want, rather than your entire home.

  • Schedule your light show: Have your installer put your holiday lights on a timer in order to keep your electricity bill down.

Find holiday light installers near you

Spruce up your home with a little bit of holiday cheer. Start searching for a holiday light installation pros near you on Thumbtack.
How do we know these prices?

Millions of people ask Thumbtack for help with their projects every year. We track the estimates they get from local professionals, conduct our own research and then we share those prices with you. The prices reflected in the article above are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. Contact a professional near you to receive a personalized cost estimate for your project.

5m

Customers this year

300k+

Pros this year

20k

Projects a day

Get a free estimate

How it works.

Search.

Browse profiles, see prices and use filters to find pros who match your project.

Chat.

Contact the pros you like to discuss project details.

Hire.

Check pro availability and book appointments right in the app.