Climbing ladders, tangled cords, and rising energy bills; holiday decorating is not as simple as it looks. Shreveport, LA landscapers break down when to DIY and when to call in the pros for safety and style.Visit https://hooglands.com/services/hooglands-holiday-lights/
Each year, as the holidays approach, millions of households across the country unpack boxes of tangled lights, climb ladders, and turn their homes into sparkling displays. But while outdoor decorating may be one of the season’s most joyful traditions, it’s also one of the riskiest. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 15, 000 Americans visit emergency rooms each winter because of ladder falls, electrical shocks, or burns tied to holiday decorating.
For homeowners deciding how to approach this year’s holiday lighting setup, one question that needs an answer is, "Is it better to handle installation yourself or hire a professional?"
Both options can deliver beautiful results, for sure, but the best choice depends on your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for climbing onto rooftops in cold weather.
Why Outdoor Lighting Is More Complex Than It Looks
What seems like a simple weekend project actually involves several layers of planning and technical know-how. Installing lights across rooflines, trees, and walkways requires an understanding of electrical load distribution, waterproof connections, and safe mounting techniques.
Professionals explain that the biggest risk is not decorating itself but underestimating the complexity of working outdoors with electricity and height.
Besides safety, design precision also matters, since a well-balanced lighting layout accounts for architectural lines, color contrast, and even sightlines from the street.
The DIY Approach
For many families, hanging their own lights is part of the holiday experience. DIY decorating offers total creative control and a sense of pride that comes from doing the work yourself.
It’s also budget-friendly since most homeowners can cover materials for a moderate-sized display for between $100 and $500, using lights and accessories available at retail stores.
That said, even small projects can demand more time and effort than expected. Untangling cords, replacing burned-out bulbs, and climbing ladders in unpredictable winter weather adds hours of labor and an element of risk.
While modern LED strands and battery-powered lights make setup slightly easier, they don’t eliminate the hazards of working at height or the frustration of yearly reinstallation.
For small properties or homeowners who enjoy hands-on projects, DIY decorating remains a rewarding choice. But for large displays or those with busy schedules, the effort often outweighs the savings.
Professional Installation
Hiring a professional holiday lighting company turns what could be a weekend ordeal into a seamless, managed process. Professionals start with a design consultation, assessing rooflines, trees, and landscape features to build a layout that complements the home’s architecture.
They often use commercial-grade LED lighting, designed for durability and consistent color temperature. Also, each line is connected with waterproof fittings and GFCI-protected outlets to ensure electrical safety. Fixtures are mounted with proper clips instead of nails or staples, which can damage shingles or wiring.
These professionals also handle maintenance throughout the season, fixing outages or adjusting lights after storms, and return in January for safe removal and storage.
The best time for professional installation is early fall, before temperatures drop. Warm weather allows adhesives and seals to cure properly and reduces the chance of moisture entering connections. Many companies also offer off-season discounts for early bookings, which helps homeowners avoid last-minute scheduling delays.
Cost Comparison: What Homeowners Should Expect
DIY installations are cost-effective at first glance, with expenses limited to lights, cords, and timers. Yet replacement costs can add up quickly. Consumer-grade lights often last only a few years before fading or failing, while professional systems can remain bright for several seasons.
Professional installations in most U.S. cities range from $800 to $2,000 for a typical residential property, depending on size and design complexity. The price includes all materials, labor, maintenance, and takedown.
While the upfront cost is higher, the trade-off is time, safety, and consistent results. Homeowners who use professional services annually often find that design reusability combined with energy-efficient LEDs balances the investment over time.
Safety and Maintenance: The Deciding Factors
Safety remains the most compelling reason many households choose professional installation. Ladder falls and electrical mishaps account for the majority of decoration-related injuries each holiday season. Certified lighting contractors follow OSHA and CPSC safety standards, using insulated tools, harnesses, and weather-rated extension cords.
Maintenance is another major consideration. Wind, rain, and temperature swings can loosen clips or cause lights to shift out of alignment. Professionals typically include mid-season inspections and prompt service calls, ensuring displays remain safe and visually balanced.
DIY decorators, on the other hand, must handle those issues themselves, often in freezing temperatures after the lights have already gone up.
Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations
Energy-efficient lighting has transformed holiday decorating in recent years. Modern LED bulbs consume up to 80 percent less energy than traditional incandescents and produce less heat, reducing fire risk.
Professionals usually have access to higher-quality LED strands rated for outdoor use and equipped with low-voltage transformers to minimize electricity draw. Some even install smart lighting systems, allowing homeowners to control colors, brightness, and timers through mobile apps.
DIY decorators can also opt for greener choices by investing in LED or solar-powered lights, though product quality can vary widely between consumer and commercial-grade lines.
Which Option Fits Your Home and Lifestyle?
Choosing between DIY and professional installation often comes down to priorities.
DIY decorating suits smaller homes, limited budgets, and those who see the process as a fun seasonal project.
Professional installation appeals to homeowners who value convenience, design consistency, and safety or who manage larger properties requiring more complex setups.
Some homeowners even choose a hybrid approach, handling lower, ground-level decorations while hiring professionals for rooflines, trees, or large façades.
Regardless of the route, planning early is key. The best designs and appointment slots tend to fill up by late November, leaving last-minute decorators competing with unpredictable weather and limited supplies.
At its core, holiday lighting should bring warmth and joy not anxiety. If you're anywhere near Shreveport, Bossier City, Benton, and Stonewall and need help hanging your holiday lighting, talk to the team at Hoogland's Landscape. Click on the link in the description! Hoogland's Landscape City: Bossier City Address: 2713 Viking Drive Website: https://hooglands.com/ Phone: +1 318 746 8655