AntoineAsphalt.caHow Much Does Christmas Light Installation Cost, and Is a Pro Worth It?
Quick answer
Price depends mostly on the total linear footage, the height of the roof and whether the installer supplies the lights. US cost guides put a typical job at US$220–684, averaging about US$444, with multi-storey homes up to about US$1,300 (typical market range, HomeAdvisor, June 2026). The main reason to hire out is fall risk: a Calgary trauma centre treated at least 40 people with life-threatening injuries from falls while hanging holiday lights, and two died.
How much does professional Christmas light installation cost?
What drives the price: total linear footage of roof lines, the number of storeys, how hard the roof is to reach, whether the installer supplies the lights, and whether takedown and storage are included. Ask for a written quote that lists all of these. We found no published Canadian price survey, so the figures below are US references only.
United States (US dollars), typical market range (HomeAdvisor, June 19, 2026):
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Average job | $444 |
| Typical range | $220–$684 |
| Multi-storey homes | up to $1,300 |
| Per linear foot, all-in | $2.50–$7 |
| Labour only, per foot | $2–$5 |
| Installer-supplied lights | add $0.50–$2 per foot |
| Rental package with install and takedown | $250–$600 |
| Removal only | $100–$400 |
| Hard-to-reach roofs | about 20% more |
| Permanent lighting | about $3,500 average |
Is it safer to hire a pro than to hang lights yourself?
Falls are the big risk. A study at Calgary's Foothills Medical Centre (Alberta Health Services, 2014) found:
- At least 40 people with life-threatening injuries from falls while hanging holiday lights. Two died.
- Average age 55. 39 of the 40 were men.
- About two-thirds fell from ladders and one-third from roofs.
- The average hospital stay was just over 15 days. About one-third needed major surgery, and 13% went to long-term rehab.
Falls make up about 40% of trauma cases and injury deaths in Canada (Alberta Health Services). In the US, about 14,900 people were treated in emergency departments for holiday decorating injuries in 2023, and almost half involved a fall (US CPSC data, via the Wisconsin Hospital Association).
Should Christmas lights be hung with clips or nails?
Clips. Roofing maker CertainTeed warns that "any penetration through your roofing materials can lead to damaging leaks," so don't use nails or staples. Clips also come off in January without pulling on wires, which could tear off gutters or shingles.
LED or incandescent: which costs less to run?
LED, by a wide margin. The Canada Energy Regulator compared a 100-light string of each:
| Incandescent | LED | |
|---|---|---|
| Power per 100-light string | 40.8 W | 4.8 W |
| Strings powered by $10 for a season* | 19 | 161 |
*6 hours a day for 30 days at Quebec rates (2015 analysis).
The CER says LEDs use about 85% less energy and can last up to 50 times longer.
When should I book and install Christmas lights?
Book in the fall, before installers' schedules fill and before snow and ice make roofs harder to work on. At Antoine, we see November as the best month to install.
We did not find a Hamilton, Burlington or Oakville by-law that sets dates for putting up or taking down holiday lights, but we haven't confirmed this with the cities.
What's included in Antoine's Christmas light installation?
- Commercial-grade lights, custom-cut to fit your roof lines.
- Installed using a lift.
- Takedown and off-season storage included.
- Custom colours. Warm white is the most popular.
LED vs incandescent running-cost calculator
Incandescent
73.44 kWh
Enter your rate
LED
8.64 kWh
Enter your rate
Formula: kWh = strings × watts × hours × days ÷ 1,000, using 40.8 W (incandescent) and 4.8 W (LED). Cost = kWh × rate.
Wattages from the Canada Energy Regulator (100-light strings). Your lights may differ.
Frequently asked questions
Why can the first year cost more?
If the installer supplies lights that you keep or that are stored for you, year one includes the lights. Later years mainly cover installation and takedown. Ask each installer how they price it.
Is takedown included in the price?
Often, but not always. HomeAdvisor advises confirming it on per-foot quotes. Antoine's service includes takedown and off-season storage.
Is there a by-law on when Christmas lights must come down in Hamilton?
We didn't find one for Hamilton, Burlington or Oakville, but check with your city to be sure.
Does a two-storey house cost more?
Usually. HomeAdvisor lists multi-storey homes at up to US$1,300 and hard-to-reach roofs at about 20% more.
Related guides & services
See what's included in our Christmas lighting service and ask for a quote for your home.
Prices are third-party typical market ranges, not Antoine's prices. Working at heights is dangerous. If you hang lights yourself, use a stable ladder and follow the light maker's instructions.
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