Full-service Christmas light installation covers measurement, custom-cut lights, installation, in-season fixes, January takedown, and off-season storage in a single package. Shimmer & Shine Lights provides this service for homeowners across the Des Moines metro area.
What Full-Service Christmas Light Installation Covers
Hiring a contractor for full-service holiday lighting means you do not have to buy strands, climb ladders, replace dead bulbs, or pack tangled boxes into your attic. Everything needed for a complete display is included in one upfront rate.
Custom Fitting and Layout
Every home has a unique layout. A full-service job starts by selecting which parts of your structure to display lights on. Customers choose which parts of the roofline are lit; lighting just the peaks or just the front is fine. Once you decide on the layout, lights are cut to fit the exact length of your roofline. You can read more about options on our page about custom Christmas light installation details.
Professional Installation
Installing lights requires secure placement along gutters and roof peaks. Clips attach without nails or screws wherever the roofline allows. The install runs from existing exterior outlets on your home. This avoids long strands of messy wires running across lawns or entryways.
In-Season Maintenance and Repairs
Winter weather brings wind, ice, and snow. If a bulb burns out or a clip comes loose during the season, maintenance is included. Tate handles service calls directly throughout the holiday season so your lights stay lit without extra fees.
January Takedown and Off-Season Storage
When the holidays are over, taking down lights in freezing weather is uncomfortable and tricky. Full service includes complete removal in January. The lights are carefully packed, labeled, and stored in a temperature-controlled space until the following October.
Custom Fitting, Mounting, and Materials
Off-the-shelf light strands sold in retail stores come in fixed lengths. This often leaves extra spooled wire hanging off the edge of a roof or leaves a gap short of the peak. Custom fitting solves that issue.
The strands used for seasonal installs are cut to the precise foot of your home. Plugs and jump lines are attached directly to fit your home structure. You also choose your preferred color scheme. Colors cost the same: warm white, multicolor, red and white, or a custom mix.
Modern LED lighting uses far less power than older style bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, LED holiday light strands consume 70 percent less energy than conventional incandescent light strands. Additionally, reporting by The Gazette indicates that ENERGY STAR rated LED holiday light strands use up to 75% to 90% less electricity than traditional incandescent light strands.
Should You Hire an Installer or Do It Yourself?
For a small, easy single-story run, hanging your own lights is usually cheaper. If your house has a low roofline, simple gutters, and easy access, buying a set of store lights and putting them up yourself can save money. You can read our detailed breakdown on our page comparing diy vs. hiring a christmas light installer.
However, ladder work carries real physical risk, especially as temperatures drop and frost forms on roofs. Data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates there were 15,000 injuries involving holiday decorating seen in emergency departments nationwide during November and December 2012. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also notes that emergency rooms treat roughly 160 decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season, with almost half of the incidents involving falls.
Tate works with a small crew and brings his background as a fire medic to every job site. He knows firsthand how fast ladder slip accidents can happen during Midwest winters. Hiring a service keeps you off high ladders during freezing weather.
How Pricing, Estimates, and Agreements Work
Understanding how pricing works helps you plan your seasonal budget. You can view full details on our page covering christmas light installation pricing.
Rate Calculation
Pricing is calculated by the linear foot of roofline. Booked by November 14, 2026 the rate is $5 a foot with a $500 minimum. The rate goes up on November 15 and again on December 1.
Multi-Year Savings Options
The first season is full price. A three-year agreement takes 20% off the next two seasons; a two-year agreement takes 15% off the second. This locks in your spot on the schedule and reduces costs for future years.
The Estimate Process
To start, send your street address. Tate measures your roofline using satellite imagery and texts a ballpark quote back, usually the same day. Nobody comes to the house for the initial ballpark estimate. A firm price comes after an in-person measurement, and it is written into a service agreement signed before anything goes up on your house. A signed price is held even if general rates rise later in the season.
Payment and Schedule
There is normally no deposit required. Payment is due when the install is finished. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, card, Venmo, and Cash App.
Installs start mid-October and run Monday through Saturday. Jobs are booked by route, so neighbors often share an install day. According to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Polk County in the Des Moines metro area reaches its median first 32°F autumn freeze by mid-October. Starting installs in mid-October ensures lights are installed before ground freezes and heavy winter ice arrives. You can learn more about scheduling on our guide for when to book christmas light installation. The two weeks right before Thanksgiving are the busiest period of the season.
Towns Served and Year-Round Alternatives
Shimmer & Shine Lights installs Christmas and holiday lights on homes across the Des Moines metro. Cities served include Adel, Ankeny, Clive, Dallas Center, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights.
If you prefer a permanent setup rather than seasonal installs and removals, permanent year-round track lighting is also offered. You can review options on our permanent christmas lights page.
While preparing your home display, you might also enjoy visiting community displays in the area. For instance, Jolly Holiday Lights is a drive-through holiday light display in the Des Moines metro area that donates a portion of ticket sales to Make-A-Wish Iowa.
Summary of Full-Service Steps
Review our step-by-step process to see how each phase of the project flows from start to finish.
| Phase | What Happens | Details Included |
|---|---|---|
| Estimate | Remote satellite check | Tate texts a ballpark price back, usually same day |
| Measurement | In-person roof check | Firm price written into signed service agreement |
| Installation | Custom light mounting | Lights cut to home, clips attached without nails/screws |
| Maintenance | In-season repairs | Fixes for burnt bulbs or loose clips all season |
| Takedown | January removal | Includes packing, transport, and off-season storage |
Questions People Ask
What happens if a bulb goes out during the season?
Fixes all season are included in your price. Text Tate at 515-585-9079, and he will handle the repair during route runs.
Do I need to supply extension cords or light clips?
No. One price covers measurement, lights cut to the house, clips, and power connections running from your existing exterior outlets.
Can I choose to light only part of my roofline?
Yes. Customers choose which parts of the roofline are lit. Lighting just the peaks or just the front is fine.
When are the lights taken down in January?
Takedown occurs throughout January. You will get a reminder text before install day and before takedown day so you know when the crew is coming.
To get a free satellite estimate for your roofline, fill out the form on our contact page or text your address to 515-585-9079.
