Professional Christmas light installation cost is based on the linear footage of the roofline you choose to light. At Shimmer & Shine Lights, booking by November 14, 2026 sets the rate at $5 a foot with a $500 minimum.
I am Tate. I own Shimmer & Shine Lights and answer the phone myself. Homeowners call me every autumn asking how pricing works, what goes into an estimate, and how to keep costs predictable. This guide breaks down how we price jobs, what affects your total, and how to decide what options fit your house.
How Pricing by the Foot Works
We charge by the linear foot of roofline rather than charging an hourly rate or a flat fee per bulb. You pay for the specific length of the eaves, gutters, and roof peaks where you choose to place lights.
When you ask for an estimate, you do not need to climb a ladder or measure your house yourself. I measure your roofline using satellite imagery. I send a ballpark estimate back by text, usually the same day you ask. Once you review that number and want to move forward, an in-person measurement provides a firm price. That price is written into a service agreement signed before anything goes up on your home. Once signed, that price is locked in, even if general rates rise later in the season.
The rate per foot changes depending on when you book your project. Booking early keeps your rate lower. For the 2026 season, booking by November 14 sets the rate at $5 a foot with a $500 minimum. On November 15, the rate steps up. It steps up a second time on December 1.
What Is Included in One Price
Some installation services charge extra fees for light removal, maintenance calls, or off-season storage. We keep our pricing simple by putting everything into one single rate per foot.
One price covers the full process for the season:
- Initial roofline measurement and custom layout planning.
- Strand lights cut specifically to fit the dimensions of your house.
- Complete installation starting as early as mid-October.
- Fixes and maintenance throughout the display season if a bulb goes out or a clip slips.
- Takedown in January.
- Storage of your custom light set until the following October.
You do not have to store totes of tangled lights in your attic, basement, or garage over the summer. We keep the lights stored until fall returns. You can read more details about how this works on our page about how pricing works.
Color choices do not change your cost. Warm white, multicolor, red and white, or a custom mix all carry the same rate per foot. The lights run from existing exterior outlets on your home. Clips attach without nails or screws wherever the roofline allows.
Multi-Year Agreements and Discounts
Your first season with us is full price. If you decide to continue service for future years, multi-year agreements offer discount savings off subsequent seasons.
- Three-year agreement: Takes 20% off the second and third seasons.
- Two-year agreement: Takes 15% off the second season.
Signing an agreement locks in your savings and helps keep holiday decorating expenses predictable year after year.
Factors That Shape Your Total Cost
Because pricing relies entirely on linear footage, your total cost depends directly on how much of your roofline you choose to illuminate. Homeowners retain total control over the scope of the project.
1. Front-Facing Rooflines vs. Full Perimeter
You do not need to put lights on every side of your house. Many homeowners choose to light only the front-facing roofline. This provides full visibility from the street while keeping total linear footage lower. Lighting the sides and rear of a multi-story house increases total footage, which increases the total price.
2. Peaks, Gables, and Dormers
Adding upper peaks, steep dormers, or secondary gables adds footage to the project. If you want to keep costs lower, focusing strictly on the main lower gutter line is an effective strategy.
3. Seasonal Lights vs. Year-Round Systems
If you prefer an option that stays on your house year-round instead of seasonal hanging and takedown, permanent track lighting is an alternative. You can learn how track systems work by visiting our page on permanent track lighting.
Timing, Route Scheduling, and Weather
When you book impacts both your rate and your installation timing. Installs start in mid-October and run Monday through Saturday. The two weeks before Thanksgiving are our busiest time of the year.
According to the National Weather Service, the median date for the first 32-degree freeze of the fall season in Polk County, Iowa, occurs in mid-October (Iowa State University Extension and Outreach). Installing lights in mid-October ensures your setup is completed before freezing weather arrives.
We schedule installations by route to keep travel efficient. Because of this, homeowners living on the same street or in the same neighborhood often share an install day. You receive a reminder text before install day so you know when to expect us, as well as a reminder text before takedown in January.
DIY vs. Hiring a Professional
Hiring a company for light installation is not necessary for every home. For a small, easy single-story run, hanging your own lights is usually cheaper. If you have a basic ranch home with straight gutters and you feel comfortable working on a ladder, doing it yourself saves money. We compare these options fully on our DIY vs hiring christmas lights page.
However, ladder and roof work carries physical risk. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reports that falls are the leading cause of emergency department visits and hospitalizations from unintentional injuries in the state (Iowa Department of Health and Human Services).
National statistics show similar risks during the holiday season. Data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that roughly 160 decorating-related injuries occur per day during the holiday season, with nearly half of these emergency room visits resulting from falls (Franciscan Health). You can read more about roof considerations on our roof safety page.
Another factor in overall cost is electrical usage. Modern professional displays use LED bulbs. Standard LED Christmas lights consume approximately 80% to 90% less electricity than traditional incandescent holiday light strings (ElectricityPlans.com). This efficiency keeps utility costs minimal while the lights run through December.
Towns and Cities We Serve
Shimmer & Shine Lights provides service across two primary regions in Iowa.
In the Des Moines metro area, we serve Adel, Ankeny, Clive, Dallas Center, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights.
We also run a second crew serving the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area. Towns served in that region include Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, Ely, Palo, Fairfax, Swisher, Shueyville, Center Point, Mount Vernon, Lisbon, Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Solon, and Tiffin.
How to Get Your Estimate and Lock In Your Rate
Getting a price for your home is quick and straightforward. You do not need to schedule an at-home appointment for the initial figure.
Send your street address through our website form or text it to 515-585-9079. I measure the roofline using satellite software and text a ballpark estimate back to you, usually the same day. If you like the estimate, we schedule an in-person measurement to confirm the exact footage. Once confirmed, we sign a written service agreement before any work starts.
We do not normally require a deposit. Payment is due when the installation is finished. We accept cash, check, card, Venmo, and Cash App. You can review the complete walkthrough on our installation process page.
Questions People Ask
How is Christmas light installation cost calculated?
Pricing is calculated per foot of roofline where lights are installed. Booked by November 14, 2026, the rate is $5 a foot with a $500 minimum. The rate increases on November 15 and again on December 1.
Do different light colors cost extra?
No. Warm white, multicolor, red and white, or a custom color mix all cost the exact same price per foot.
Is light removal and storage included in the price?
Yes. One price covers measurement, custom cutting, installation, maintenance during the season, takedown in January, and storage of the lights until October.
Are discounts available for returning customers?
Yes. The first season is full price. A three-year agreement takes 20% off the next two seasons, while a two-year agreement takes 15% off the second season.
When is payment due for the installation?
No deposit is normally required. Payment is due when the install is finished. We accept cash, check, card, Venmo, and Cash App.
To get a quick ballpark figure for your home, request a free satellite estimate at our contact page or text your address to 515-585-9079.
