Do Electricians Install Christmas Lights?

Electrician holding holiday lights near a home

The Truth About Who Really Installs Holiday Lights

Every year when the holidays roll around, homeowners wrestle with the same question: should I climb the ladder myself, call an electrician, or hire a holiday lighting company? The idea of having a beautifully lit home is exciting, but the process of hanging lights can be stressful, time-consuming, and risky.

If you live in the Minneapolis metro area, you’ve probably wondered whether an electrician is the right professional for the job or if there’s a better solution. This article clears up the confusion, breaks down the differences, and shows you what to expect if you want your home to stand out without the hassle.

What We’ll Cover:

  1. Do electricians actually install Christmas lights?
  2. When it makes sense to call an electrician
  3. Why most homeowners choose holiday lighting professionals
  4. How much Christmas light installation costs
  5. Safety and design considerations
  6. FAQs

Do Electricians Really Install Christmas Lights?

House decorated with outdoor Christmas lights at night.

Here’s the simple answer: electricians can install Christmas lights, but most of them don’t specialize in it. Their training is focused on wiring, circuits, and repairs inside the home. While they have the skill to handle electrical load safely, they usually aren’t the ones climbing ladders, wrapping trees, or creating design displays.

Instead, the bulk of Christmas light installation is handled by specialized custom holiday lighting companies. These teams are trained to handle ladders, rooftops, and custom designs while ensuring everything is safely connected to your home’s power supply.

Think of it this way: if your lights aren’t turning on because of a wiring issue, that’s when you’d call an electrician. If you want your home to look like a winter wonderland from the curb, you call a holiday lighting company.

When Should You Call an Electrician?

There are situations where hiring an electrician makes sense:

  1. Upgrading circuits or outlets: If your home lacks sufficient outdoor outlets or you’re concerned about circuit overloading, that’s an electrician’s job.
  2. Troubleshooting electrical issues: If lights keep tripping breakers or flickering, you’ll need someone licensed to diagnose the problem.
  3. Permanent electrical upgrades: Adding timers, switches, or dedicated outdoor power sources is best left to an electrician.

So yes, electricians can help with holiday lights, but their role is usually behind the scenes, making sure your home’s electrical system can safely handle the extra load.

Electrician repairing outdoor outlet for Christmas lights.

Why Most Homeowners Choose Holiday Lighting Professionals

Here’s what really matters to homeowners:

  1. Design expertise: Holiday lighting pros know how to make a house shine. They create layouts that are balanced, eye-catching, and tailored to your home.
  2. Speed and convenience: A crew can finish a residential job in a day, and you don’t have to climb ladders or untangle cords.
  3. Full-service support: Install, takedown, storage. One call covers it all.
  4. Personal safety: Slips, falls, and electrical accidents are some of the most common holiday ER visits. Hiring a pro removes that risk.

At Lit Outdoor Lighting Company, we also provide a demo installation so you can preview what your home will look like before committing. That’s something electricians and most other installers don’t offer.

How Much Does Professional Christmas Light Installation Cost?

Professional holiday lighting team installing Christmas lights on a roof.

Cost is one of the top questions homeowners ask. While prices vary depending on the size of your home and how elaborate the design is, here are the basics:

  1. Average residential installation: $1,000 minimum for holiday lighting projects
  2. Timeline: Most homes are completed in a single day. Large commercial jobs may take several days.
  3. What’s included: Design, professional installation, take-down after the season, and optional storage for next year.

When you compare this to the time, equipment, and risk of doing it yourself, most homeowners see it as money well spent.

Safety and Design Considerations

Holiday lighting is more than just hanging strings of bulbs. Here’s what professionals think about that DIY homeowners often overlook:

  1. Electrical load: Plugging too many strands into a single outlet can be dangerous.
  2. Weather resistance: Outdoor-rated extension cords, timers, and GFCI outlets are essential.
  3. Roof safety: Proper ladder usage, harnesses, and non-damaging clips keep installers safe and protect your home.
  4. Aesthetics: Strategic spacing, color choices, and focal points make the difference between average and stunning.

By working with specialists, you get both safety and design handled in one step.

Our Expertise in Holiday and Landscape Lighting

At Lit Outdoor Lighting Company, we’ve designed and installed hundreds of lighting displays across the Minneapolis metro area. From classic white rooflines to full holiday transformations, we know how to make homes shine while keeping your property and family safe.

Because we also specialize in outdoor landscape lighting year-round, we bring an eye for design that goes beyond seasonal decorating. Our clients appreciate the “mom and pop” personal service paired with professional quality.

Ready to Light Up Your Home?

If you’re tired of wrestling with tangled lights or climbing dangerous ladders, there’s a better way. Schedule a free consultation with Lit Outdoor Lighting Company, and let us handle the hard work while you enjoy the glow.

We’ll show you design options, install everything in a day, and return after the holidays for takedown. With our demo installation, you’ll see your home sparkle before making any commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

They can, but it’s not their specialty. Electricians are usually called for wiring upgrades or safety checks, while holiday lighting companies handle the actual installation.

Most residential jobs start at $1,000. The total depends on house size, number of lights, and complexity of the design.

It can be, but ladders, electrical load, and weather conditions add real risks. Many homeowners prefer hiring professionals to avoid accidents.

LED lights are the safest and most efficient choice. They use less energy, last longer, and stay cooler than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Yes. At Lit Outdoor Lighting Company, we include takedown and storage so you don’t have to think about it until next season.

For more answers, check our FAQ page.

Make This Holiday Season Bright

The takeaway is simple: electricians may help with wiring, but if you want your home to look amazing, a holiday lighting company is your best choice.

Lit Outdoor Lighting Company brings safety, design expertise, and full-service convenience to every project. From preview demos to complete installation and takedown, we make holiday lighting effortless and stunning.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and let’s make this season your brightest one yet.

Related Reads:

  1. Holiday Lighting Services in Minneapolis
  2. Landscape Lighting Design and Installation
  3. How to Choose the Right Outdoor Lighting for Your Home
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What Our Clients Are Saying

Discover how homeowners across the Twin Cities are transforming their properties with Lit Outdoor Lighting

Vanessa Baardseth
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Vanessa Baardseth
January 6, 2026

I'm so glad we decided to have these pros do our Christmas lights this year! Jonathon and his team did an awesome job. The moment the lights came on, it put our whole family into the holiday spirit. Everything went smoothly, no hassle, great communication, all we had to do was enjoy our beautifully lit home. We will be repeat customers and I highly recommend this company. Thank you Jonathon & team!

Kristine Carlston
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Kristine Carlston
January 5, 2026

LIT outdoor lighting company provides excellent service and great communication! Thank you LIT outdoor lighting company for making our holiday’s bright💡

Maureen Buss
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Maureen Buss
January 4, 2026

Christmas Decor has been used for over five years for our Associations yearly holiday lights. The do a beautiful jobs lighting the entrance to our Association and quickly respond to any issues that may arise.

Roche Martin
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Roche Martin
December 31, 2025

LIT Outdoor Lighting has done a very nice job for an HOA I manage. They are timely and provide great communication and service as needed.

Travis Parks
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Travis Parks
December 29, 2025

Our lights look incredible, Jonathon has been so easy to work with. Highly recommend for home or business!

Mary Beerling
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Mary Beerling
December 26, 2025

We love our outdoor lighting! Jonathon has done our landscape lighting as well as our Christmas decor and we couldn't be happier. He is the ultimate professional and it shows in the finished product. We highly recommend LIT Outdoor Lighting Company.

Catherine Fox
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Catherine Fox
December 22, 2025

We love LIT outdoor lighting for our Christmas lights. Jonathon does an incredible job. The lights were installed perfectly and when the tree pulled down some of the lights during a particularly windy evening, they were out next day to rehang. We recommend LIT and Jonathon.

North Star Mini Storage
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North Star Mini Storage
December 19, 2025

They have been doing our Christmas lighting for years and we couldn't be happier. They are very easy to work with and look forward to continuing to do so in the future. It's a really nice way to warm up your business when it's cold and everything is dark a gray outside. We get a lot of compliments from customers too! Highly recommend.

Taylor Bertin
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Taylor Bertin
October 7, 2025

Jonathan, is world class and most important I value his feedback which is honest and direct and rare to find here from sales people. His work is exceptional. The handful of revisions that we wanted modified he executed within five business days. He and his business are what you’re looking for if you’re shopping for an economic pathway to improve your home value please reach out if you have any questions.

Eric Deal
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Eric Deal
October 2, 2025

Jon (LIT Outdoor Lighting): Jon did a fantastic job updating our exterior lighting. He gave us clear options at different price points with zero pressure and even reused some old equipment to save costs. He’s hands-on (no subcontractors), punctual, and finished exactly as promised. Highly recommend!.

Andrew Wilson
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Andrew Wilson
September 6, 2025

Jonathon always comes out to fix any issue with our system, no matter how large or small. He does great work, and I recommend his service to others.

Lawrence Graham
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Lawrence Graham
September 2, 2025

We are so very pleased with LIT Outdoor Lighting . Incredibly responsive whenever we have an issue even when we have dug through a cable by mistake! The annual service contract is well worth it as they check everything and do preventative maintenance so we have beautiful lighting all through the year. Highly recommended.

F S
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F S
August 29, 2025

I have hired Jonathon to install a variety of lights in both the front and back of my house. In addition he was helpful with choosing light fixtures, some of which are made by a local Craftsman that Jonathon has access to. He has always done great work but in a world where customer service is no longer prioritized by many big and small companies, Jonathon stands alone. No matter the issue he has always stood behind his work and products. I highly recommend him - you will not go wrong.

Cat & Andrew Forsgren
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Cat & Andrew Forsgren
August 14, 2025

We loved working with Jonathan and appreciated his knowledge in lighting up our backyard. I knew the feeling I wanted for our landscape lighting, but I wasn’t sure what the end product should look like – Jonathan was so great at working with our vision and making the dream come to life. I wanted to be able to appreciate our backyard during the darker winter months, but in the meantime it has completely transformed how we’ve used our deck this summer. With the trees, rock wall, and decorative cabin lit up, we can appreciate our full backyard at night. So happy with the end product and we look forward to doing our front yard someday!

Chris Johnson
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Chris Johnson
August 7, 2025

LIT Outdoor installed and maintains our neighborhood's monument lighting, including color changing LEDs and programmable effects. Great work and excellent service. Highly recommend!

Lowell Pajari
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Lowell Pajari
July 27, 2025

Jonathan has an artistic flair for stunning results. His creativity in lighting design extends to offering his clients an opportunity to add their own artful concepts. He has skilled craftsman and sculptors that help bring beautiful, timeless works of art into your lighting scheme. Here's a couple examples of Jonathan's ideas.

Heather Way
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Heather Way
July 23, 2025

We couldn’t be happier with our experience with Lit Outdoor Lighting Company! After redoing our landscaping, we needed our outdoor lighting repaired and repositioned, and the results are fantastic. Everything was installed with care and perfectly adjusted to highlight the new landscape. Our yard looks incredible at night—exactly what we were hoping for. Highly recommend for anyone looking to enhance their outdoor space with beautiful, well-executed lighting!

Spencer Way
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Spencer Way
July 23, 2025

Jon was fantastic! He was on time, professional, and reasonably priced. I will use him for all future outdoor lighting needs, no question. Highly recommended!

Nicki Zeidner
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Nicki Zeidner
July 11, 2025

I’d highly recommend Jonathon at LitOutdoorLighting. He is great at making suggestions for new lighting options and very responsive for helping us maintain our original outdoor lighting installations.

Brent Berkovitz
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Brent Berkovitz
July 6, 2025

I had damage to my landscape lighting and my invisible dog fence after the cable company showed up unannounced and started digging in the yard. Jon provided me with service the same day I called and everything got repaired. Thank you!

kim buhl
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kim buhl
June 30, 2025

Jonathan is very knowledgeable about all things outdoor lighting. He listens to your thoughts about what is wanted for outdoor lighting and executes the vision well. His creativity in difficult areas to light is top notch. Highly recommend his services for all your outdoor lighting needs.

servs sev
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servs sev
June 26, 2025

Jonathon was great to work with. Great at listening to what we wanted ad offered suggestions that resulted in amazing landscape lighting. Installation was perfect. We couldn't be happier with the lighting he and his crew installed - looks amazing. Jonathon went above and beyond what is required to get the job done timely and to our satisfaction. Highly recommend LIT as a trusted company that will help make your property look great!

Dan Hendrickson
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Dan Hendrickson
June 26, 2025

Thrilled with the service and product. Great communication and was completed faster than expected.

Jill Ann Schultze
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Jill Ann Schultze
June 25, 2025

Jon is extremely efficient and reliable. Quick turnaround on all requests. He also had great lighting ideas for my property. I highly recommend LIT Outdoor Lighting Company.

Aubrey Bork Vannatta
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Aubrey Bork Vannatta
June 24, 2025

Jonathon was a great listener and communicator when adding lighting to our new deck. We put significant investment and thought into our new deck, and I thought Jonathon really understood the perfecting touch that added lighting would have as we enjoyed the space into the evening hours. He was able to suggest some ideas and stay within our budget. As we have needed adjustments since then, he’s been responsive and made sure we can continue to enjoy the space. Outdoor light can add a magical touch! I would highly recommend Lit Outdoor Lighting Company!

Mark Borman
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Mark Borman
June 17, 2025

Jonathan has been my go-to landscape lighting provider for many years. Always happy with his work quality and annual maintenance services. He is a great person to work with, very responsive to requests and charges fair prices.

Phil Miller
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Phil Miller
June 17, 2025

Jonathon is great to work with. We're super happy with the lighting he and his crew installed in our back yard...our neighbors are jealous! And he goes above and beyond what is required to get the job done to our satisfaction. We recommend LIT as a trusted company that will help make your property look great!

Quinton
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Quinton
June 12, 2025

We had an excellent experience with Jon! We were very particular about our landscape lighting design, from the layout to the actual lights (color, style, you name it) and Jon was super helpful in guiding us through our options and pricing. Installation was clean and straightforward and we love the convenience of the timer and all of the optional settings. Jon provides prompt maintenance too -- we've had a few knocked over by our dogs and he got them right back up and working in no time! We highly recommend his services!

Larry Stranghoener
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Larry Stranghoener
June 5, 2025

Jon reached out to me in late winter to propose a service call to ensure my outdoor lights were functioning properly - just as I was realizing some of my lights were not working. As we agreed, he followed up to schedule an appointment in April, showed up on time, and took care of a number of issues at a reasonable cost. I will gladly use his services again!

Nick & Jill DeVries
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Nick & Jill DeVries
June 4, 2025

Jonathon is a master at his craft! Highly recommend LIT if you are looking to take your landscaping and yard to the next level.

Susan Perdew
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Susan Perdew
June 3, 2025

We've been working with Jonathan, the owner of LIT Outdoor Lighting Company for over 10 years—and we couldn't be happier with the results. From day one, Jonathan has been incredibly responsive, professional, and detail-oriented. He and his team consistently deliver high-quality, low-voltage lighting solutions that enhance the beauty, safety, and overall ambiance of our home. What sets LIT apart is not just the quality of their work, but the reliability of their service. They're always prompt, communicate clearly, and follow through without fail. Jonathan has a great eye for design and continually helps us think through how to improve and expand our outdoor lighting over time. Their pricing is fair and clearly reflects the value of the work they do—exceptional craftsmanship, premium products, and service that lasts. In a world where it's hard to find consistent, trustworthy partners, Jonathan and LIT stand out as true professionals. Highly recommended!

Jesse Bertogliat
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Jesse Bertogliat
June 3, 2025

Jon was very professional, helpful and timely, he will be my first call for my lighting needs in the future

Charles B
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Charles B
June 3, 2025

Jonathon and team did a great job with my lighting in my yard! When I moved into my home, there was an existing system that needed a lot of work, and LIT Outdoor was able to come out and replace everything and put in a better system! I've been utilizing their yearly maintenance program ever since, and it's been great! Always willing to come out if there are any issues or burnt out bulbs. Highly recommend!

Nathan Burns
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Nathan Burns
June 2, 2025

I Just love my backyard lighting Jonathon does excellent work and was a joy to work with

Barry Zilka
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Barry Zilka
June 2, 2025

Lit Lighting is a great operation. Perfect service. Every spring they come and clean, fix if necessary and replace bulbs as needed. Jonathon is timely and does great work. Their initial installation was seamless.