For many families in the Treasure Valley, holiday lighting is a highlight of the season. The most common question we hear is: “How much does it really cost to have Christmas lights professionally installed in Boise?” The answer depends on whether it’s your first season (when you purchase the materials) or a recurring year (when you already own them).
The First Year: Building Your Display
In year one, most of the cost is the materials you’ll keep: commercial-grade LEDs, cut-to-fit roofline wire, timers, clips, and weather-rated extension cords. A professional crew measures your roofline, cuts and terminates strands to fit cleanly, and labels everything so next year’s setup is fast and consistent. Think of this as building a durable foundation that should last for many seasons when maintained.
Recurring Seasons: Install, Maintenance, Removal, Storage
After the first year, you mainly pay for labor: hanging, in-season maintenance (e.g., replacing the occasional bulb), and scheduled take-down. Many Boise homeowners add off-season storage so the system stays organized, undamaged, and ready for a clean install next year. The result is less hassle, a polished look, and a consistent pattern year after year.
Residential vs. Commercial
Both follow the same structure (materials in year one; service each year after). Commercial projects scale up with longer rooflines, added trees/walkways, and equipment like lifts. Businesses also book earlier to be display-ready for holiday shoppers - planning ahead helps secure preferred dates and cleaner timelines.
Safety & Why Pros Are Worth It
Hiring pros isn’t just about convenience; it’s also about safety and quality. Falls from ladders are a major source of holiday decorating injuries nationally. Professionals bring the right ladders, fall-safe practices, outdoor-rated products, and clean power distribution. If your home has steep pitches, high peaks, or limited exterior outlets, a pro helps you avoid risky DIY setups and protects siding, gutters, and landscaping.
Energy & LEDs
If you’re deciding between incandescent and LED, LEDs use far less electricity and last much longer. When paired with dusk-to-dawn or timer controls, you can cut energy use further without touching the display all season. For year-round (permanent) strings, ensure products are evaluated to the correct safety standard for extended outdoor use, not just seasonal sets.
What Drives Your Price (with ballpark context)
• Length and complexity of roofline (peaks, dormers, second story)
• Bulb type and density (C7 roofline, mini-lights on trees/columns, specialty features)
• Access/equipment (lifts, very steep roofs)
• Add-ons (timers, additional outlets, storage)
• Labor rates and calendar timing (premium weeks fill first)
Note on Ranges
National services report typical installation-only costs in the low hundreds for modest rooflines, with multi-story homes and larger displays costing more; Boise pricing varies by home, design, and schedule. Your first-year total will be higher because it includes the materials you’ll reuse for many seasons; recurring seasons are primarily labor.
When to DIY vs. Call a Pro
DIY can make sense for one-story straight rooflines, sturdy ladder access, and simple plug-in layouts. Call a professional for steep/high roofs, custom cut-to-fit strands, smart-controller programming, or when you want guaranteed, scheduled install/take-down and optional storage.
Bottom Line
Year one invests in quality materials and a clean, custom-fit look. Every season after, you’re paying mainly for expert handling - install, maintenance, removal, and storage - so your display looks great without the risk or hassle.
Sources
• Angi — “Professional Christmas Light Installation Cost (2025 Data)” (national averages helpful for ballpark context). Angi
• HomeAdvisor — “How Much Do Professionally Installed Christmas Lights Cost?” (ranges, per-foot notes). Home Advisor
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — “Holiday Safety” (decorating-related injury statistics; ladder falls). U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission+1
• U.S. Department of Energy — “LED Lighting” and “Lighting Choices to Save You Money” (LED efficiency and longevity; timers/sensors). The Department of Energy's Energy.gov+1
• UL / Intertek — UL 588 and year-round string-light guidance (seasonal vs. all-year safety criteria). UL Solutions+2Intertek+2