Residential Christmas light installation starts with measuring your roofline, selecting which features to highlight, and setting a schedule before severe cold sets in. For a small, easy single-story run, hanging your own lights is usually cheaper, but hiring an installer covers custom fitting, maintenance, takedown, and storage.
My name is Tate. I own Shimmer & Shine Lights and answer the phone myself daily from 8am to 7pm at 515-585-9079. I run a small crew installing Christmas and holiday lights on homes in the Des Moines metro. This guide explains how rooflines are planned, how pricing works, and how to decide what makes sense for your home.
Planning Your Roofline Design
Every home layout is different. You do not need to put lights on every single board or gutter to get a clean, visible look. Customers choose which parts of the roofline are lit; choosing just the peaks or just the front is fine.
When planning a display, most homeowners look at three main areas:
- Front Peaks: High peaks draw attention from down the street and give the roof definition.
- Gutter Lines: Straight horizontal runs link peaks together and outline the home.
- Dormers and Side Gables: Lighting secondary peaks adds depth to multi-story houses.
Getting custom-fit lights means the strands are cut directly to the lengths of your roofline. That eliminates loose extra bulbs hanging down the side of your siding or cords stretched across roof peaks. Clips attach without nails or screws wherever the roofline allows. The entire installation runs from your existing exterior outlets.
DIY vs Hiring an Installer
Hanging lights yourself takes time and patience. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls from ladders account for more than 40% of all emergency room visits resulting from holiday decorating activities. National safety data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated 14,700 holiday decorating-related ER-treated injuries nationwide during a single holiday season.
If you have a low single-story home with a simple, flat gutter line, tackling the job on a weekend can save you money. You can read a direct breakdown on our DIY vs hiring Christmas lights page to weigh your options.
When you hire Shimmer & Shine Lights, you avoid ladder work, buying store bulbs that degrade after one season, and untangling cords in cold weather. One price covers measurement, lights cut to the house, the install, fixes all season, takedown in January, and storage of the set until the next October.
How Pricing Works
Pricing is calculated strictly by the foot of roofline you choose to light. That keeps the calculation direct and clear without hidden fees. You can see full pricing breakdowns on our pricing page.
For the 2026 season, rates depend on when you complete your booking:
- Booked by November 14, 2026: The rate is $5 a foot with a $500 minimum.
- November 15 through November 30: The rate steps up.
- December 1 and later: The rate steps up again.
Your first season is full price. If you choose a multi-year agreement, you save on future years:
- A three-year agreement takes 20% off the next two seasons.
- A two-year agreement takes 15% off the second season.
Color choices do not change the rate. Colors cost the same: warm white, multicolor, red and white, or a custom mix.
Normally, no deposit is required. Payment is due when the install is finished. I accept cash, check, card, Venmo, and Cash App.
The Estimate and Booking Process
Getting a price does not require waiting around at home for a salesperson. To start, you send your home address. Tate measures the roofline from satellite imagery and texts a ballpark price back to you, usually the same day. Nobody comes to your house for that initial estimate.
If the ballpark number works for your budget, an in-person measurement is completed to set the exact footprint. The firm price comes after that in-person measurement, and it is written directly into a service agreement signed before anything goes up. A signed price is held even if general rates later rise.
Installs start in mid-October and run Monday through Saturday. Appointments are booked by route, so neighbors on the same street often share an installation day. The two weeks before Thanksgiving are always the busiest part of the calendar. You can learn more about scheduling on our when to book page.
Weather and Local Timeline in Iowa
Fall weather in central Iowa changes fast. Planning your installation schedule around local climate norms helps avoid working on frozen rooflines.
According to MyWild Report, the average first fall freeze (32°F) in Des Moines, Iowa occurs on October 10. Cold weather deepens quickly as winter approaches. Additional climate data from MyWild Report shows that in Des Moines, half of winters see their first night at or below 20°F by November 16.
Many homeowners aim to have their lights ready before major holiday events begin. For example, Jolly Holiday Lights is scheduled to be open from November 20 through January 3. According to the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Jolly Holiday Lights features millions of lights at the fairgrounds each winter while donating event proceeds to Make-A-Wish Iowa.
Comparison: Options for Your Roofline
| Option | Best Suited For | What Is Included |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Installation | Easy, single-story homes with simple rooflines | Homeowner buys lights, installs, takes down, and stores them. |
| Seasonal Custom Service | Homes of any size wanting clean custom fit | Measurement, custom cut lights, install, season maintenance, takedown, storage. |
| Permanent Track Lighting | Homeowners wanting year-round architectural lighting | Year-round track lighting installed along the roofline (see permanent lights page). |
Service Areas
Shimmer & Shine Lights serves homeowners in the Des Moines metro area. Service includes: Adel, Ankeny, Clive, Dallas Center, Grimes, Johnston, Norwalk, Urbandale, Waukee, West Des Moines, and Windsor Heights. North of the city, see Christmas light installation in Ankeny.
Questions People Ask
Do I need to be home for the estimate or installation?
You do not need to be home for the initial satellite estimate or the in-person measurement. For installation day, as long as exterior outlets are accessible and clear, you do not need to sit inside waiting.
When does takedown happen?
Takedown happens in January and is included in your original price. You will receive a reminder text before install day and another reminder text before takedown begins in January.
What happens if a bulb goes out or a clip comes loose during the season?
Fixes all season long are included in your price. If a bulb stops working or a clip shifts during high winds, text Tate at 515-585-9079 and a crew member will come fix it.
What if I want lights up all year round?
Permanent year-round track lighting is also offered for homeowners who want lights for all holidays and occasions. Details are available on the permanent lights page.
To request a free satellite estimate, send your address through the contact form or text Tate directly at 515-585-9079.
