Stringing twinkle lights can be magic—or mayhem. Each year, people face a shining dilemma: Do you tangle with light strands yourself, or hire EverLights to do the job? The answer isn’t as one-size-fits-all as a Christmas sweater. Let’s dive deep—because no one wants a half-lit house or a blown fuse before the in-laws arrive.
Think about the DIY route. At first, it feels inviting. You get to pick out those cool vintage bulbs, let the kids help unravel lights, and maybe climb a ladder while channeling Clark Griswold. There’s pride in the handiwork. And hey, it’s lighter on the wallet too. According to HomeAdvisor, the average person spends between $80 and $300 on supplies if they go solo. If you already own some lights, costs drop. But here’s the catch. Bad weather can cut your work short. Crooked lights above the garage look less “magical” and more “oops.” DIY setups can carry fire risks if you overload outlets or use faulty equipment.
Enter professional installers. Now, this isn’t just a quick fix for someone with a fear of heights. Holiday lighting companies bring knowledge, tools, and safety gear. The national average for hired installation runs $200 to $650, based on a survey by Forbes Advisor. That might seem a little steep compared to DIY, but you get perk after perk. Installers measure everything, use commercial-grade lights, and set timers so you’re not out in the snow each night. They’ll return after New Year’s to take it all down—no more January icicles glinting off last season’s lights. Accident rates are lower with pros, too.
But—let’s not gloss over a few gray areas. Some companies require you to rent their lights or have them professionally stored, which means extra annual fees. There’s less room for spontaneous changes. Tweaking the design mid-season isn’t always simple. DIYers, on the other hand, can add Rudolph inflatables and swap colors on a whim.
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