Removal belongs in the quote, not in a January phone call
A professional install includes a professional takedown — but only if that's what you agreed to. Some installers price removal into a single seasonal figure; others quote install and takedown separately, and a few treat removal as an add-on you have to remember to request. None of those models is wrong, but you should know which one you're buying before the lights go up. Ask directly: is takedown included in this price, who schedules it, and what happens if I want the display down earlier or later than your standard window? Getting that answer in writing is the difference between a tidy end of season and chasing a busy crew in the new year.
Takedown timing is weather-dependent — expect a window, not a date
Removal season in cold-winter markets runs on a looser clock than installation. Crews work through their route as weather allows, and ice on a roofline can push a stop back days at a time — pulling frozen clips off gutters damages both the clips and the gutter. Most installers communicate a takedown window (often several weeks in January into February) rather than a fixed date, and prioritize safety over speed. If a precise removal date genuinely matters to you — a listing photo, an HOA letter, a personal preference — raise it at booking time so the installer can tell you honestly whether they can commit to it.
Storage: who keeps the lights, where, and what it costs
Storage depends on who owns the material. On a lease model, the installer owns the strands and takes everything back to their own facility — labeled, coiled, and matched to your home for next season — which is a real convenience and one reason leases are popular. If you own your lights, ask whether the installer offers storage, whether it costs extra, and how your set is labeled and tracked so this year's roofline measurements aren't lost. If you're storing them yourself, have the crew coil and label runs by location (front roofline, garage peak, left maple) before they leave; an hour of labeling in January saves an afternoon of untangling in November.
Damaged strands and end-of-season condition
Commercial-grade LED strands live outdoors for two-plus months through wind, ice, and thaw cycles, so some end-of-season wear is normal. What matters is who bears that cost. On leased material, failed sections are typically the installer's problem — they repair or replace before next season at no charge, but confirm that explicitly. On customer-owned lights, ask how the crew handles strands that fail during takedown: do they flag them, discard them with your permission, or leave triage to you? A good installer will walk the display with you (or send photos) rather than leaving a box of mystery strands in the garage.