Homeowners will pay well for someone else to hang their holiday lights. Here's what startup costs, pricing, and a realistic first season look like.
Every November, thousands of homeowners stare at a tangled box of lights, a wobbly ladder, and a cold Saturday afternoon and think, "I would gladly pay someone to do this." That's the opening for a seasonal side hustle. Professional holiday light installation can pay well for a few busy weeks, it doesn't require a college degree, and you can start small. The catch is that it's a hands-on job with real safety and insurance considerations, and it needs to be set up before the season hits. Since it's still September, you're right on time.
Here's how the business works, what it costs to launch, and what you can realistically earn.
You visit a home, measure the rooflines and trees, quote a price, install the lights before Thanksgiving, maintain them through the season, and take them down in January. Some companies also store the lights for the customer over the year. Customers typically pay for the design, the lights, the labor, and the removal in one package, and repeat customers are the real prize since they often rebook every year.
Starting small can be affordable, but it isn't free. Here's a sample budget for a solo operator:
Commercial-grade LED lights, clips, extension cords, and timers might cost $800 to $1,500 for a starter inventory. A good extension ladder and safety gear (harness, gloves, non-slip shoes) might add $300 to $600. Business insurance and any required local license can add several hundred dollars, so ask your insurer about general liability coverage. Marketing basics, like yard signs, a simple website, and printed flyers, might run $100 to $300. In total, plan on roughly $1,500 to $3,000, depending on how much gear you already own.
A business credit card can help you keep expenses organized and separate from personal spending. See Business Credit Cards for Side Hustlers for when a weekend gig needs its own card. If you're comparing options, our small business credit cards page is a good place to start.
Most installers price by the linear foot of roofline, with a per-foot rate that includes lights, labor, and takedown. Rates vary by region, but many small operators charge somewhere between $4 and $8 per linear foot for basic rooflines, with trees, wreaths, and extras priced separately. A typical single-story home might have 100 to 150 feet of roofline. Always factor in your time, driving, and the cost of replacing bulbs during the season.
A good rule is to estimate the hours of work, multiply by the hourly rate you want, add materials, and then compare it with local competitors. If you're far cheaper, you may be leaving money on the table. If you're much higher, expect fewer yeses.
Neighborhood social media groups, local Facebook pages, and community forums are the cheapest ways to find your first customers. Post before-and-after photos of your work. A few yard signs on completed jobs, with the homeowner's permission, work surprisingly well since neighbors see them daily. Ask every customer for a review and a referral.
This is not a place to cut corners. Falls from ladders and roofs are a real risk, and you'll be working with electricity. Use proper ladder safety, never work in wet or icy conditions, and don't overload circuits. Check what your state or city requires for licensing, and ask an insurance agent about liability coverage in case a customer's property is damaged. If you're unsure about a tall or steep roof, decline the job.
Let's follow a fictional side hustler, Jamal, who works full-time as a warehouse supervisor and starts a light installation business on weekends.
Jamal spends $2,200 on gear and insurance. He books eight homes before Thanksgiving through neighborhood posts. His average job has 120 feet of roofline at $6 per foot, so $720 per home, including takedown in January. His lights and materials cost about $180 per home. That leaves $540 per job, or $4,320 before extra costs.
He spends about six hours per install and three hours per takedown, or nine hours per home, for 72 hours in total. After subtracting his $2,200 startup costs, his first-season profit is about $2,120, or about $29 per hour. That's a decent return for a first year.
In year two, he already owns his gear, and returning customers make up half his bookings. If he does 12 homes at the same price, his profit is closer to $6,480 minus modest replacement costs. Repeat business is where the numbers get better.
Side income is taxable, and you'll likely owe self-employment tax on your profits. Track every expense, from lights to gas, since business costs reduce your taxable profit. If you expect to owe a meaningful amount, read Quarterly Estimated Taxes for Freelancers and Gig Workers. It's also worth thinking about how this fits with other seasonal work, like the ideas in Seasonal and Holiday Gig Stacking.
The biggest mistake is underpricing. New installers often charge too little, then discover that the hours and materials leave almost no profit. Track your actual time on your first few jobs and adjust.
Another mistake is skipping insurance. One damaged gutter or a fall can wipe out a season's earnings.
A third is starting too late. Most customers book in October and early November, so waiting until December means missing the season.
A fourth is cheap materials. Bargain lights that burn out mid-season mean unpaid return trips and unhappy customers.
A fifth is overextending. Taking on more homes than you can install before Thanksgiving leads to sloppy work and bad reviews.
Check your local licensing rules and call an insurance agent this week. Price out a starter kit of commercial-grade lights and safety gear. Practice on your own home and photograph the result. Post in local community groups with your quote process. Limit your first season to the number of homes you can handle comfortably. Save every receipt in a folder from day one.
Holiday light installation can be a smart seasonal side hustle if you're comfortable with heights, like working outdoors, and price your jobs carefully. Startup costs are modest, and repeat customers make each year easier than the last. Get insured, start early, and keep good records, and a few busy weekends could turn into real extra income.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not financial, tax, legal, or safety advice. Earnings vary widely and are not guaranteed. Check local licensing, insurance, and tax requirements before starting.
Join the newsletter your bank hates and your wallet loves.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
