Hanging lights looks simple until someone is on a two-story roof in November. These are the questions worth asking any installer, including one you reach through this site.
1. Are you insured?
Ask for proof of liability insurance, and for businesses and HOAs, a certificate of insurance naming you. Roof work carries real risk; an uninsured crew can leave the homeowner exposed if someone gets hurt or the roof is damaged.
2. Do you need a license for this job?
Whether a contractor license is required depends on the work and its value, and electrical work (such as adding an outlet for permanent lights) has its own rules. Ask the installer, and look up any license number at cslb.ca.gov (opens in a new tab), which also explains when a California license is required.
3. How will the lights attach?
The answer should be clips matched to your gutters, shingles or tile, never nails, staples or forcing anything under roof tiles. On tile roofs, common in San Ramon and Danville, ask specifically. See what's different in San Ramon.
4. Who owns the lights?
Some installers lease commercial-grade lights to you for the season; others sell them to you. Leasing usually means a simpler price and new-condition lights; owning means a bigger first-year bill and possibly lower costs later. Either is fine, as long as it's clear.
5. What happens if a section goes dark?
Ask whether service calls during the season are included, how fast they usually come out, and whether there's a charge.
6. Is takedown included, and when?
Get the takedown month (or date) in writing, and whether storage is included. If takedown isn't included, HomeGuide puts it at about $100–$400 separately.
7. What exactly is in the quote?
- Total footage and which rooflines are included
- Each tree, shrub, wreath or garland as its own line
- Bulb type and color
- Timers, extension cords and power plan
- Service calls, takedown and storage
- Deposit and payment terms
Red flags
- No proof of insurance, or reluctance to show it
- A price given over the phone without seeing the house or photos
- Plans to nail, staple or screw into the roof or fascia for seasonal lights
- No clear takedown date
- Cash only, or a large deposit long before the install date
Compare quotes on the same items. The cost guide shows typical national ranges so you can tell whether a number is in the ballpark.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a Christmas light installer?
Insurance, how the lights attach to your roof, who owns the lights, whether service calls and takedown are included, and what exactly the quote covers.
Do Christmas light installers need a license in California?
It depends on the scope and value of the work, and electrical work has its own requirements. The CSLB explains when a license is required; look up any license number at cslb.ca.gov.
Should installers use nails or staples?
Not for seasonal lights. Clips matched to your gutters, shingles or tile hold lights without damaging the roof.
Cost ranges and technical notes on this page are general information from the sources named, not a quote or professional advice. Prices vary by home and design; get a written quote for your property. See the disclaimer and cost sources.