Guide · updated 2026-10-30
Christmas light installation cost, 2026.
Renting versus buying, what a package should include, and our prices for both cities.
What installation costs
National cost guides put a roofline package between $250 and $1,500 (HomeGuide), often for installation alone. Toronto-area companies that supply the lights start around $700–1,500; Shack Shine’s Toronto page starts at about $1,100 for lights, installation, takedown and storage.
| UpkeepGo package (lights included) | Ottawa (CAD, before HST) | Greater Boston (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Front roofline, one storey (up to 50 ft) | $749 | $799 |
| Front roofline, two storeys (up to 80 ft) | $949 | $999 |
| Whole-house roofline (up to 150 ft) | $1,449 | $1,549 |
| Your own lights: front roofline up to 80 ft (tested first) | $399 | $449 |
Rent or buy?
Buying commercial C9 strands, clips and a timer for a two-storey front roofline is a real cost, and you still need the ladder, the time and storage. A rental package moves all of that to the installer, and the following season is quoted separately, using the existing design where practical.
Safety rules that apply
- In Ontario, electrical work done for pay must be done by a Licensed Electrical Contractor and reported to the Electrical Safety Authority. We never touch wiring: lights plug into an existing GFCI-protected outdoor outlet, and a new outlet for a TV is a job for a licensed electrician.
- Massachusetts requires a licensed electrician for wiring work. We never touch wiring: lights plug into an existing GFCI-protected outdoor outlet, and a new outlet behind a TV is a job for a licensed electrician.
- Fire safety bodies advise outdoor-rated, listed lights, clips instead of nails, and taking outdoor lights down after the holidays.
Sources
- HomeGuide: Christmas light installation cost
- Shack Shine Toronto: Christmas light installation
- Electrical Safety Authority: notifications, what you need to know
- Electrical Safety Authority: outdoor safety
- Ottawa Fire Services: electrical fire safety
- Massachusetts General Laws c.141 §1A (electricians’ licences)
- NFPA: electrical safety in the home
- NFPA: winter holiday safety tip sheet (2025)
- Electrical Safety Authority: holiday safety
Your price in seconds.
Two or three questions, a fixed price, a date that suits you. Pay after the job.