Thinking about hiring local holiday lighting companies instead of braving the icy ladder yourself? It’s a wise move, but people want to know how much this comfort and brightness will really cost.

Let’s get to the point. For a regular single-story house with a small front, putting up Christmas lights will cost between $500 and $1,500. A simple roofline, some plants, and a front porch are usually part of the spectrum. Do you want your home to seem like it came from out of a Christmas movie? If you add more lights, peaks, and custom designs, the cost might go up to $2,500 or more.

People who wish to see their house from space or who have more intricate architecture can easily pay between $3,000 and $6,000. Big roofs, a lot of landscaping, and commercial-grade bulbs all make the prices go up. And some light shows are meticulously organized to go with music or colors that fit a theme. Those extra features add up soon.

You don’t only spend money on the lights. The cost of labor is high since installers have to climb, attach, test, and adjust everything so you don’t hang from a gutter or smash a light bulb with cold fingers. The rest is made up of things. LED lights for businesses cost more up front, but they last for years, use less power, and can weather rain, snow, and squirrels.

Some companies charge by the foot of line. For instance, defining the house may cost between $5 and $10 per foot. It may cost between $1,500 and $3,000 to give a house with 300 feet of roofline a professional-level sheen.

In short, hiring a pro to put up holiday lights is a good use of your time, money, and holiday magic. It might cost you a lot of money, but your weekends and your roofline will be joyful.