How to Start a $120k/Month Christmas Lights Installation Business
Getting Started · 10 min read read · By daniilsells
Learn how to start a profitable Christmas lights installation business, price jobs correctly, use the leasing model for recurring revenue, and scale past $120k/month using the same systems top service companies rely on.
Why Christmas Lights Installations Are So Profitable
Christmas lights installation is one of the highest-margin seasonal services in home improvement. While most service businesses slow down in December, professional lights installers often make at least $120,000 per month.
Here’s why:
Low startup cost
Ladders, light wire, bulbs, clips, and a few basic tools.
High-ticket jobs
The industry standard is $8–$12 per foot, meaning most homes start at $2,000+.
Fast jobs
A typical install takes 1–3 hours once you’re organized.
Built-in recurring revenue
Because the installer owns all materials, customers return every year for reinstallation at a lower cost than switching to anyone else.
Understanding the Leasing Model (The Key to Recurring Revenue)
The biggest mistake new installers make is letting the customer “buy” the lights.
Professionals use a leasing model, which works like this:
You (the installer) buy all materials
You custom-cut the bulbs and wires to the customer’s exact roofline
You store or label the materials for next year
The customer pays you for installation + removal
Next year, they only pay for installation/removal again
Because you own the lights, customers are locked into using you and your renewal rate becomes 90%+.
This creates automatic December income, every single year.
What You Need to Start
You don’t need a huge crew or expensive tools. A professional Christmas lights setup typically includes:
Essential Materials
C9 Light Socket Wire
C9 LED Bulbs (warm white, cool white, or custom colors)
Male & Female Plugs
Universal Light Clips
Outdoor Extension Cords
Timers & Smart Plugs
Electrical Tape (weatherproofing)
Glue Gun (for windows, dormers, or tricky spots)
Tools
24–32 ft extension ladder
Storage bins for labeled strands
This entire setup typically costs $400–$600 and can be used for dozens of installs.
How to Price Christmas Lights Jobs (With Real Numbers)
Most professionals charge by the linear foot of roofline:
House Size Roofline Length Price Range
Small Home 150–180 ft $1,600–$2,200
Medium Home 200–250 ft $2,000–$3,000
Large Home 300–350 ft $3,000–$4,200
Luxury Home 400–600+ ft $5,000–$10,000
The formula is simple:
Total Feet × Price Per Foot = Job Price
Industry standard: $8–$12/ft
Add-ons:
Tree wraps: $200–$1,000
Bushes/shrubs: $50–$300
Wreaths/garlands: $150–$400
How to Find Customers (Fastest Methods)
The most successful installers don’t rely on random leads.
They focus on warm leads who already trust them.
1. Past Customers
If you do:
window cleaning
gutter cleaning
pressure washing
…you already have a perfect list of buyers.
2. Design Before You Pitch (The Cheat Code)
Use tools like JollyLights to create a Christmas lights mockup of their exact house.
Send a message like:
Hey! I made a Christmas lights design for your house, here’s how it looks.
We’re installing lights in your neighborhood this week, so we’re offering $300 off or free gutter cleaning for existing customers.
This creates curiosity and avoids a yes/no answer.
3. Neighborhood Marketing
Once you install one home, neighbors will ask automatically.
Put a sign in the yard, take before/after photos, and post them locally.
How to Do a Professional Install (Step-by-Step)
1. Design the Layout
Measure roofline using Google Earth (switch to feet)
Identify peaks, ridges, and gutters
Pick bulb color & pattern with the customer
2. Build Your Custom Light Strands
Cut socket wire to exact lengths
Add male/female connectors
Label each piece (Front Left, Peak A, Garage Right, etc.)
3. Install Cleanly
Attach clips every 6–12 inches
Keep lines tight and perfectly straight
Hide extension cords
Weatherproof all connections
4. Set Up Timer
Use a daily schedule (sunset to midnight, etc.)
5. Remove & Store
After the season:
Take down carefully
Store in labeled bins for next year
How to Scale pasty $120k/Month
Here’s why Christmas lights becomes extremely scalable:
Most homes book in November–December only
Jobs take 1–3 hours
Renewals come back every year
Customers often upgrade (trees, bushes, peaks, etc.)
Your schedule might look like:
Day Jobs Revenue
1 2 jobs $4,000–$6,000
2 3 jobs $6,000–$9,000
3 1 large job $3,500–$6,000
Doing just two installs per day for a month puts you at:
$120,000+
How BlueWorks Helps You Run a Christmas Lights Business
BlueWorks AI makes managing Christmas lights installs simple:
Save all your warm leads
One-Tap Scheduling for Installs & Removals
Automated Messages to Customers
Saved Customer Templates
Built-In Recurring Scheduling
Map View for Optimized Routing
Store roofline measurements
Add notes for next year
Track installation & removal dates
Schedule jobs with one tap
Perfect for:
window cleaners
gutter cleaners
pressure washing companies
seasonal home-service businesses
Final Takeaway
Christmas lights installation is one of the most profitable seasonal services in the industry. With the right pricing, materials, and leasing strategy, you can turn your slow winter months into your highest-earning season — and stack recurring revenue every year.
If you’re already in a home-service business, you’re perfectly positioned to add Christmas lights starting this week.