From the Desk of Bob Carr, TLC Incorporated
Every year around the holidays, I meet homeowners who tell me the same story: “I thought I’d save a little money doing my Christmas lights myself this year.”
They usually smile when they say it, but by January, that smile’s been replaced by frustration — tangled cords, broken clips, burned-out bulbs, and a cold Saturday spent wrestling a ladder.
The truth is, while DIY holiday lighting might look cheaper up front, it rarely stays that way. Over the years, the cost in time, repairs, replacement materials, and safety risks quickly adds up.
At TLC, we’ve seen both sides — we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners upgrade from DIY setups to professional lighting systems, and the difference isn’t just visual. It’s financial, practical, and peace-of-mind all rolled into one.
Let’s take a closer look at why professional holiday lighting pays for itself — and keeps paying back year after year.
1️⃣ The Cost of Doing It Yourself
It’s tempting to think you can save money by stringing up your own lights. After all, a few boxes from the big box store don’t seem that expensive. But when you break it down, the costs start to tell a different story.
Hidden DIY Costs:
- Annual replacement: Low-cost retail lights are designed for one or two seasons. Sun exposure, freezing rain, and UV degradation take their toll fast.
- Hardware fatigue: Cheap clips, extension cords, and connectors wear out quickly, forcing replacements each year.
- Time and labor: Climbing ladders, untangling wires, testing bulbs, and reinstalling every year eats into multiple weekends — time you can’t get back.
Safety risks: Falls, shocks, and over-loaded circuits are real dangers. A single trip to urgent care or an electrical repair wipes out any savings.
Most DIYers end up spending hundreds of dollars each season just to replace parts that never last — not counting the hours of labor. Over five years, it’s easy to spend more than what a professional system would’ve cost in the first place.
Bob’s Tip: “The cheapest lighting isn’t the one that costs less at checkout — it’s the one that’s still shining bright ten years later.”
2️⃣ Professional Lighting Is Built to Last
TLC doesn’t use the same lights you’ll find on store shelves. We use commercial-grade LED systems specifically engineered for outdoor use — designed to handle rain, snow, heat, and cold for years on end.
What Makes Them Different:
- UV-resistant coatings that prevent fading and brittleness.
- Watertight connections that resist corrosion and power loss.
- Heavier-gauge wiring that can handle greater loads safely.
Modular construction so sections can be repaired, not replaced.
Our LED systems typically last five to seven times longer than standard consumer lights. That means less waste, fewer repairs, and lower long-term costs.
When you spread the investment over the lifespan of your lighting, professional systems often cost less per year than DIY setups.
Example:
A $2,000 professional installation that lasts 8 years breaks down to just $250 per year — far less than replacing $300-$400 worth of retail lights and supplies annually.
3️⃣ Safety Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Return on Investment
Every year, thousands of homeowners get injured hanging lights. Falls from ladders, electrical shocks, and over-loaded circuits are among the most common holiday accidents.
When you hire TLC, safety isn’t just a benefit — it’s a built-in savings.
TLC Safety Standards:
- Trained technicians who work with certified ladder systems and fall-protection gear.
- GFCI-protected outlets and waterproof connections for every display.
- Load calculations to prevent electrical overloads.
Regular crew safety refreshers every summer before the season begins.
That level of professionalism doesn’t just protect our team — it protects your property, too. No scorched siding, no damaged gutters, and no overloaded circuits.
When you think about the cost of one accident — a broken wrist, a fried breaker, or a fall — investing in safety through TLC becomes the smartest financial move you can make.
Bob’s Tip: “The real cost of DIY lighting isn’t the ladder you bought — it’s the risk you didn’t plan for.”
4️⃣ Time Is Money — Especially Around the Holidays
Let’s be honest — your time during the holidays is precious. Between work, family, and events, nobody wants to spend their weekends on a ladder or chasing a shorted strand in 35-degree weather.
With TLC, you get your time back.
We handle everything — from design and installation to takedown and storage — so you can focus on what the holidays are really about.
Our systems are timed, programmed, and automated — meaning your lights turn on and off every night like clockwork. You never have to flip a switch or reset a timer.
And when the season ends, our crews return to take everything down neatly, label it, and store it for next year. You don’t lift a finger.
That peace of mind and convenience? It’s priceless.
5️⃣ Long-Term Consistency and Reliability
The beauty of professional lighting isn’t just in the brightness — it’s in the consistency.
Every year, your display looks just as beautiful as the first time we installed it. No fading, no mismatched colors, no half-lit rooflines.
That’s because we keep detailed records of every project:
- Photos of your exact setup.
- Layout diagrams with outlet positions and connection points.
- Notes about roof pitch, landscaping, and property changes.
When we return the next season, we already know your home — every clip, every strand, every timer setting.
You get a perfect, repeatable result every year, without the guesswork.
6️⃣ The Environmental and Energy Savings
Professional LED lighting uses up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent lights. That means smaller electric bills — and a smaller environmental footprint.
Because TLC’s systems are designed to last longer, there’s far less waste heading to landfills each year.
We also use smart timers and controllers that minimize energy use without sacrificing brightness. For many clients, switching to a professional LED setup saves them $30–$60 per month in electricity costs during the holiday season.
Over several years, those savings add up — and help the planet, too.
7️⃣ The TLC Membership Advantage — Where the Value Multiplies
When you join the TLC Holiday Lighting Membership Program, your lighting system becomes a true long-term investment.
Membership includes:
- Professional installation and removal every year.
- Maintenance, repairs, and replacements as needed.
- Climate-controlled storage during the off-season.
- Automatic scheduling before the holidays.
Access to upgrades and exclusive lighting options.
That means you never have to buy new lights, store bulky boxes, or risk injury again. It’s all handled — every season, like clockwork.
Over a five-year period, most TLC members find their total cost of ownership is lower than what they used to spend buying and replacing retail lights.
And beyond the savings, you get something even more valuable: reliability, safety, and a home that looks spectacular year after year.
8️⃣ The Resale and Reputation Factor
Here’s something most homeowners don’t think about: Professional holiday lighting adds perceived value to your home.
A beautifully illuminated home communicates pride, care, and attention to detail. For neighborhoods, it becomes a community highlight.
For those who may eventually sell their home, seasonal curb appeal — especially with established service relationships like TLC’s — often enhances buyer perception and presentation photos.
When potential buyers see a well-maintained lighting system with a membership plan, it’s not just décor — it’s a mark of quality stewardship.
9️⃣ The Emotional Return on Investment
Some returns can’t be measured in dollars — but they matter just as much.
Professional holiday lighting adds joy, warmth, and beauty to your home and neighborhood. It’s that sense of pride when you pull into your driveway after a long day, or the way your grandkids’ eyes light up when they see the house glowing in color.
Those moments last far longer than a single season — and that’s part of the true value of professional lighting.
Bob’s Tip: “Every strand we hang isn’t just a wire — it’s a memory waiting to happen.”
🔟 Why It Pays for Itself — The Big Picture
When you add it all up — safety, quality, durability, time savings, energy efficiency, and the joy it brings — professional lighting isn’t an expense. It’s an investment that pays for itself over time.
Here’s what TLC delivers that DIY never can:
- Longevity — lights designed to last 7–10 years.
- Professional maintenance — every year, included.
- Zero hassle — we handle everything, start to finish.
- Lower long-term costs than replacing cheap lights annually.
- Priceless time saved for family, friends, and holidays that matter.
And unlike a big-box purchase, you’re not just buying lights — you’re partnering with a local company that takes pride in your home as if it were our own.
🎁 The TLC Promise
At TLC, we believe holiday lighting should make your season brighter — not harder. That’s why we’ve spent decades perfecting a system that delivers beauty, safety, and reliability year after year.
When you invest in professional lighting, you’re not paying for a product — you’re investing in peace of mind, craftsmanship, and a lasting partnership.
Because good lighting isn’t about the bulbs you buy — it’s about the care behind them.
From the Desk of Bob Carr
President, TLC Incorporated