Every homeowner question, answered.

What a season runs, why two houses quote differently, and what's included.

How much does professional holiday light installation cost?+

For most homes, expect roughly $800 to $3,500 per season on a lease. A roofline-only install on a two-story starts around $800; adding tree wrapping and wreaths for a full display commonly runs $1,600 to $3,500. Your quote is priced for your specific roofline.

Why can't you show me an exact price online?+

Cost tracks your linear footage, story count, roof pitch, and how many trees you want wrapped — so an honest number needs your actual home. That's what the quote is for, and requesting one is free.

Does it cost anything to get a quote?+

No. Requesting a quote is free, with no account and no obligation. Curbstead is a marketplace and does not install lights — installers pay for the introduction, homeowners don't, and any installer who contacts you quotes and contracts with you directly.

Are takedown and storage included in the price?+

On a lease, yes — takedown and off-season storage are part of the seasonal price. If a quote looks unusually cheap, confirm they're included and not billed separately in January.

What's the difference between a $900 quote and a $2,500 quote?+

Usually scope: roofline-only versus a full display with tree wrapping and wreaths. Sometimes it's the grade of lights or what's bundled — ask what each quote includes before comparing the numbers.

Why is tree wrapping so expensive?+

Material and labor scale with trunk and branch surface area, and tall trees require a lift. A single mature tree can rival a small roofline in cost.

Should I buy my own lights to save money?+

Buying lowers the year-over-year cost but shifts storage, failures, and re-hanging onto you, and retail strands rarely survive multiple Midwest winters. Most homeowners lease once they price in storage and the value of never touching a ladder.

When should I request a quote?+

Early. The best crews fill by mid-October, so booking in late September or early October gets you first choice of install dates and often better pricing before demand peaks.

How accurate is this estimate?+

It maps your answers to Curbstead's published price ranges, so it's a reliable ballpark — not a bid. The exact price comes from a free quote for your specific roofline.

Why can't you give me an exact number here?+

Cost tracks your linear footage, roof pitch, and how many trees you want wrapped — details that need your actual home. The estimator narrows the range; the quote sets the price.

Does using the estimator cost anything or share my information?+

No. It runs entirely in your browser, asks for nothing personal, and sends nothing anywhere. You only share details if you choose to request a quote.

Does a bigger house always cost more?+

Usually, because cost tracks linear footage, story count, and roof pitch. A wide single-story ranch can cost less than a tall, complex two-story with many gables.

Is takedown included in these prices?+

On a lease, yes — takedown and off-season storage are part of the arrangement. If you own your lights, confirm whether takedown is bundled or billed separately.

What Curbstead is, and what happens after you request a quote.

Is Curbstead the company that installs my lights?+

No. Curbstead is a marketplace, not an installation company. If a suitable local installer is available, they do the work and quote your home directly.

How many installers will contact me?+

At most one. If we identify a suitable installer for your area, your details go to that installer and no one else — not a list of contractors racing to your phone — and we never resell them.

Can an installer pay to be shown first?+

No. Coverage is organised as one installer per area, chosen on qualification and coverage rather than on who paid the most. You can't buy a better spot here.

Do I own the lights?+

On a lease, no. The installer owns commercial-grade strands, maintains them through the season, takes them down, and stores them off-season. You're paying for a lit house on a schedule, not buying equipment.

What does a quote actually cost?+

For most homes, a roofline-only install on a two-story starts around $800; full displays with tree wrapping and wreaths commonly run $1,600 to $3,500. Your quote is priced for your specific roofline.

What if I already own my lights?+

Many installers will hang lights you own, though failures and takedown may then be billed separately. If you'd rather never handle them again, ask about a lease when the installer quotes.

When should I book?+

Early. The best crews fill by mid-October, and booking sooner gets you first choice of install dates before Thanksgiving.

What we ask installers for, and how your details are handled.

Do you verify licenses and insurance yourselves?+

Installers confirm their licensing and insurance in their application, and we review their experience against the roof types in the towns they cover. We match on fit and coverage — and we'd always tell you to ask your installer for their license and proof of insurance before work begins.

How many installers cover my town?+

One. Each territory has a single installer, and we leave a territory unfilled rather than fill it with a crew that isn't right for it.

What if no installer covers my area yet?+

Then we tell you, rather than route you to someone who doesn't work your town. You can still request a quote and we'll let you know whether we cover you.

Do you run background checks on installers?+

No — and we won't imply otherwise. We confirm licensing and insurance through the application, review roof experience against local roof stock, and screen every homeowner request before routing. Ask your installer for their license and certificate of insurance before work starts.

Why do you ask so many questions before matching me?+

So the installer can quote your actual home. Your scope, budget band, timeline, and roofline all travel with the request — nothing is routed on a bare name and number.

Will my information be shared or sold?+

No. Your details go to exactly one installer for your area and are never sold to lead lists, brokers, or anyone else.

Does Curbstead guarantee the work?+

No, and we won't pretend otherwise. The installer quotes your home, does the work, and stands behind it — the agreement for the installation is between you and them. Our job is the introduction and keeping your details private.

How does Curbstead make money?+

Installers pay us for the introduction when we match them with a homeowner. Requesting a quote is always free for you, and installers can't pay for better placement.

Are you an installation company?+

No. Curbstead helps homeowners scope a project and submit it to independent local installers. We don't hang lights ourselves.

What happens to my information?+

It goes to one installer for your area and nowhere else — never sold to lead lists or brokers. We contact you about your request and nothing else.

When to book, and how the season fills up.

How early is too early to book?+

It is rarely too early. Many installers open books in late summer, and booking in September only helps you secure a preferred install date.

Can I still get lights up if I call in November?+

Often yes, but install dates and lease inventory are limited by then. Expect less flexibility and book the first slot offered.

When do lights typically get installed?+

Most residential installs happen from late October through mid-November so displays are lit before Thanksgiving.

Leasing versus owning your lights, and permanent options.

Is leasing more expensive over several years?+

Per season, yes. But the lease price includes maintenance, takedown, and storage, and commercial-grade lights outlast the retail strands most buyers use.

If I buy, can an installer still hang them?+

Usually. Many installers will hang lights you own, though failures then become your cost and takedown may be billed separately.

Is permanent lighting a better deal than either?+

For homeowners who want the look every year without the hassle, a one-time permanent install can beat years of seasonal hangs on total effort and often on cost.

Will I see the fixtures during the day?+

Barely. The track sits inside the soffit channel behind the drip edge, so from the street it reads as trim. That discretion is the main advantage over seasonal strands.

Can it do a normal warm-white Christmas look?+

Yes. Addressable LEDs render a convincing warm white as well as saturated color, so you are not locked into an obviously 'RGB' appearance.

How long does installation take?+

A typical retrofit is one to two days depending on roofline complexity and access. New-build installs are scheduled around your soffit stage.

Christmas, permanent, and Halloween lighting specifics.

Do you use my lights or provide them?+

Either. Most homeowners lease commercial-grade LED strands, which the installer sizes to your roofline, maintains, and stores off-season. If you own lights you like, installers can hang those instead, though failures then become your cost.

Does the price include takedown and storage?+

On a lease, yes — takedown after the season and off-season storage are part of the arrangement. If you own the lights, ask whether takedown is bundled or billed separately; both are common and worth confirming in the quote.

Can you install on a slate or cedar-shake roof?+

Qualified crews do, using non-penetrating clips along gutters and ridges rather than staples or screws. This is one of the first things to confirm on a historic-district home, and one of the criteria we screen installers for.

How far in advance should I book?+

By mid-October in most towns. The better installers share a small pool of crews across neighboring towns and fill their November calendars early. Booking sooner also gets you first choice of install dates before Thanksgiving.

Are the fixtures visible during the day?+

Barely. The track sits inside the soffit channel behind the drip edge, so from the street it reads as trim. Most homeowners only notice it if they know exactly where to look, which is the point of a permanent system versus seasonal strands.

Can I still get the classic warm-white Christmas look?+

Yes. Addressable LEDs render a convincing warm white as well as saturated color, so you can run everyday warm white most of the year and switch to holiday scenes from the app without changing anything on the house.

How long does the install take?+

A typical retrofit is one to two days depending on roofline complexity and access. New-build coordination is scheduled around your framing and soffit stage so the channel goes in before the exterior is closed up.

What is the warranty on a permanent system?+

Reputable installers warranty both the LED track and the workmanship, commonly for multiple years on the diodes and a separate period on labor. Confirm the specific terms and who handles service calls before you sign.

Do you install inflatables or big-box props?+

Generally no. Installers on this platform generally specialize in a composed, autumnal look — lighting, naturals, and considered groupings. If you specifically want a large inflatable display, that is a different kind of vendor than the ones on this platform.

When does Halloween decorating get installed?+

Most displays go up in the first half of October so they are lit for the run-up to the 31st. Because it overlaps the Christmas booking rush, arranging it early — or bundling it with holiday lights — is the surest way to hold a crew.

Is takedown included?+

Yes on most seasonal arrangements: the display comes down in early November, which also clears the roofline for a Christmas install if you are doing both with the same crew. Confirm the takedown date when you book.

Can Halloween and Christmas share the same lighting?+

If you have permanent architectural lighting, the same system covers both from an app. With seasonal strands they are usually separate installs, though one crew can sequence Halloween takedown directly into the Christmas hang.