Short answer: In the Antelope Valley, the best time to book professional Christmas light installation is in the fall, before Thanksgiving. Price depends mostly on how many feet of roofline you want lit, how tall and steep the roof is, and extras like trees, wreaths and garland. Because high desert wind is strong, choose an installer who fastens lights securely to the roofline and gutters and includes repairs during the season. Holiday Glow Pros, based in Lancaster and founded by Andrew Goodson, offers free custom estimates across the Antelope Valley at (661) 486-2640.
What affects the cost of Christmas light installation?
Every property is different, which is why reputable installers give a custom quote instead of a flat price. These are the factors that move the number most:
- Linear feet of roofline. The biggest factor. A single-story ranch home with one roofline costs less than a two-story home with multiple peaks.
- Roof height and pitch. Two-story and steep roofs take more time, more equipment and more safety precautions.
- Trees, palms and bushes. Wrapping trunks and canopies is priced by size and how many trees you want lit.
- Wreaths, garland and yard decor. Lit wreaths, garland and light-up displays add to the total.
- Whose lights. Some companies sell lights as part of a package. Others, like Holiday Glow Pros, install lights you provide. Ask which one your quote assumes.
- Take down. Check that removal after the holidays is included in the price.
The easiest way to get an accurate number is a free estimate, where the installer looks at your home and talks through what you want.
When should you book in the Antelope Valley?
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| September to October | Best time to book. You get the widest choice of install dates. |
| Early November | Installs begin. Most people want lights up before Thanksgiving. |
| Late November to December | Install dates fill up fast. Call as early as you can. |
| During the season | If a strand goes out or wind causes a problem, your installer should come fix it. |
| January | Take down after the holidays. |
Why high desert wind changes everything
The Antelope Valley is one of the windiest parts of Southern California. Strong afternoon gusts are the number one reason do-it-yourself displays end up sagging, flapping or hanging off the gutter by mid-December. A professional install should:
- Fasten every run with clips matched to your roof and gutter type, not loose hooks or tape.
- Keep connections and cords tucked and secured so they can't whip around.
- Include season-long maintenance so wind damage gets fixed quickly.
LED vs. incandescent holiday lights
Most professional installers use LED lights today. LEDs use far less electricity, run cooler, and last much longer than old incandescent bulbs. Classic C9 and C7 bulb styles, the large bulbs you see outlining rooflines, are available in LED in warm white, cool white and multicolor.
DIY vs. hiring a professional
| Do it yourself | Professional installation | |
|---|---|---|
| Ladders and roof work | You | The crew |
| Design | Trial and error | Planned around your home |
| Wind-secure fastening | Depends on your clips and time | Matched to your roof and gutters |
| Repairs during the season | You | Included with most services |
| Take down | You, in January | Handled for you |
10 questions to ask before hiring a Christmas light installer
- Is the estimate free, and is the quote itemized?
- Are the lights included, or do I buy my own?
- How do you fasten lights to my roof and gutters? (No nails or staples is the answer you want.)
- How do you handle high desert wind?
- What happens if a light goes out during the season?
- Is take down included? When does it happen?
- Can I see photos of homes you’ve lit before?
- Do you set timers so the lights turn on and off automatically?
- Do you work on two-story homes and steep roofs?
- Are you local to the Antelope Valley?
Who installs Christmas lights in the Antelope Valley?
Holiday Glow Pros is a local, owner-operated holiday lighting company based in Lancaster, California, founded by Andrew Goodson. We design, install, maintain and take down holiday lighting for homes and businesses in Lancaster, Palmdale, Quartz Hill, Rosamond, Lake Los Angeles, Acton and the rest of the Antelope Valley.