Hiring someone to hang your Christmas lights should be the easy part of the holidays. But most homeowners have never done it before, and the questions pile up fast. Who buys the lights? What if a strand goes out on December 20th? When does everything come down? Do I need to be home?
For over 40 years, TLC has been lighting homes and businesses across Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia for the holidays. Our licensed, insured crews handle the design, the ladders, the commercial-grade LEDs, and the takedown, and we store your display until next season.
Here's exactly how the process works with TLC, start to finish, so there are no surprises.
Step 1: You Reach Out, Ideally Earlier Than You Think
Holiday lighting is the most compressed season in our business. Nearly every customer wants their display up between early November and the first week of December, which means the calendar fills in the order people book. If you call in mid-December, we'll do what we can, but we may not be able to get to you before the holiday.
The booking conversation is short and simple. We'll ask about your home, roughly what you have in mind, and whether you've had lights installed professionally before.
Step 2: We Come Look at Your House
Every quote starts with someone standing in your driveway. There's no way to price a roofline from a satellite photo, and no way to tell you what will look good without seeing the house after dark.
During the walkthrough, we'll:
- Measure your rooflines, peaks, and the sections that are realistically accessible.
- Look at trees, shrubs, columns, railings, and walkways you may want included.
- Find your exterior outlets and check whether you have enough circuits to run the display safely.
- Talk about your roof: pitch, height, material, and what can be reached safely.
- Ask what look you're after: classic warm white, multicolor, or something more architectural.
We'll also tell you honestly what won't work. Some rooflines can't be reached safely, some trees are too tall to wrap well, and some ideas cost far more than they'll deliver. You'll hear that during the walkthrough, not after you've paid for it.
Step 3: You Get a Written Quote
Your quote spells out every element: which rooflines, which trees, how many wreaths, and what the total is. TLC quotes holiday lighting as an all-inclusive seasonal package that covers design, materials, installation, maintenance during the season, takedown, and storage. The price ranges from $1,800 on the lower end to $10,000 or more for elaborate displays.
Step 4: Installation Day
Most residential installs typically take a half day to a full day with a crew of two to five. Here's what actually happens:
You don't need to be home. As long as we have access to the exterior and outlets, we can install while you're at work. We'll confirm the date ahead of time and let you know when the crew is on the way.
We use clips, not staples or nails. Every light attaches with clips designed for your gutters, shingles, or trim. Nothing gets nailed, stapled, or screwed into your house. That matters more than people realize — staple holes in a roofline are permanent, and they void some roof warranties.
Lights are cut to fit. Rather than hanging stock-length strands with leftover wire dangling at the corners, we custom-cut each run to your measurements, which is the difference between a display that looks professional and one that looks like a store-bought kit.
We handle the power. We'll connect everything to your exterior outlets and set up [a timer so the display runs on a schedule instead of you flipping a switch every night. If your outlets are overloaded or not GFCI-protected, we'll tell you before we plug anything in.
We clean up. Boxes, packaging, and clips leave with us.
Step 5: During the Season, We Maintain It
This is the part most people don't ask about until something goes wrong. If a strand fails, a clip lets go in a windstorm, or a section stops lighting, call us, and we'll come fix it at no charge during the season. Wind and ice are hard on any display, and a January nor'easter will find whatever wasn't secured well.
We ask that you call rather than climb a ladder yourself. That's what you hired us for!
Step 6: Takedown and Storage
Takedown runs January through February, weather permitting. We'll contact you to remove the display, and if there's ice on the roof, we'll wait for a safe day rather than damage your gutters or risk a fall.
Your lights come back to our facility, get labeled with your name and address, and are stored until next season. That's the quiet benefit of a professional program: no tangled strands in the attic, no bins in the garage, and no discovering in November that half the display doesn't light.
What to Expect When Hiring a Professional Holiday Lighting Installer
Every year, emergency rooms see thousands of falls from ladders during the holiday decorating season. The homeowners who call us usually aren't looking for a fancier display than they could manage themselves: they're tired of spending a Saturday in the cold, untangling last year's strands and standing on a ladder above a frozen driveway.
Get a ballpark price in under a minute with TLC's online holiday lighting estimator, no phone call required. When you're ready for an exact number, we'll walk your property and give you a free, no-obligation quote that covers design, installation, mid-season service, takedown, and storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I book holiday lighting?
Earlier than you think. Our calendar typically fills by September. Booking in early fall gets you the widest choice of installation dates. Returning customers get first option on their previous slot.
Do I buy the lights, or do you?
We provide all lights, clips, timers, and hardware as part of the package. They're commercial-grade LED products chosen to survive Maryland winters, and they stay with us between seasons.
What happens if a section goes out during the season?
Call us. Service during the season is included, and we'll come repair or replace the affected section at no additional cost.
Where are the lights stored the rest of the year?
We store them, labeled for your property, and bring them back next season. That also means we know exactly what your house needs, and installs get faster every year.
Can you light trees, not just the roofline?
Yes. Tree wrapping, shrub lighting, wreaths, garland, and walkway lighting can all be part of the design. We'll price them as separate line items so you can decide what's worth it.
Can you add to my display next year?
Absolutely, and most customers do. It's common to start with the roofline and add trees or entry details in later seasons.
