Holiday light hanging

How we work: ground and ladder only

We hang lights from the ground, with poles, or from a ladder set on firm, level ground. We do not walk on roofs. That rules out some spots, such as the ridge line of a two-story house or a steep roof edge far from any safe ladder position.

For most single-story homes in the valley, the eaves, gutters, windows, porch, railings, trees and fences are all reachable this way, and that covers the look most people want. If a design needs roof work, we will tell you and you can decide.

Clips, not nails or staples

Nails and staples pierce wire insulation and leave holes in fascia and gutters. Plastic light clips hook onto gutter edges or slip under shingle edges reachable from a ladder, and hold each bulb upright and evenly spaced. All-purpose clips work on railings, fences and window frames. Clips come off in January with no damage, and you can keep them for next year.

Outdoor-rated everything

Only use lights and extension cords labeled for outdoor use. Indoor cords crack in cold and fail in rain. Plug outdoor lights into a GFCI-protected outlet; if your outdoor outlet has no GFCI or the GFCI will not reset, see outlets and GFCI. We keep connections off the ground and wrap them with a weatherproof cover so sprinklers and dew do not trip the circuit.

Not overloading the circuit

LED light strings draw far less power than old incandescent strings, which means many more strings can run on one outlet. Each string still lists how many strings can be connected end to end; we stay under that number. Older incandescent strings add up quickly, and we will spread them across outlets or suggest swapping to LED.

Timers and smart plugs

An outdoor timer or a smart plug turns lights on at dusk and off at bedtime without anyone remembering. That saves power and keeps the neighbors happy. We set it up during the install and show you how to change the schedule.

Trees, shrubs and the yard

Wrapping tree trunks and branches takes more lights than people expect. A common rule is to wrap evenly from the base up and keep spacing consistent. Net lights over shrubs are fast and even.

Stake lights along a walkway mark the path. Mini lights on a fence line add depth. We bring a ladder suited to the tree height and do not climb trees.

Planning your display

Send photos of the front of the house from the street, the outlets you have outside, and the lights you already own. We measure the runs, tell you how many strings you need, and suggest where to start and end so cords stay hidden. If you need lights, you can buy them or we can pick them up.

Takedown and storage

In January, we take everything down, check for broken bulbs or damaged wire, and wrap each string around a card or a reel with a label for where it went. Next year’s install goes much faster with labeled strings. Damaged strings are set aside so you can replace them.

Pricing

We quote by the job after seeing photos: the length of eave and railing runs, the number of trees and shrubs, and whether the lights are yours. Takedown is quoted with the install so the full cost is clear from the start. Repeat customers with labeled strings from last year get a faster install.

Inflatables and yard displays

Inflatables and lit yard figures need stakes and tie-downs for valley wind gusts. We anchor them, run cords where people will not trip, and keep connections off wet grass on small stands.

Safety around the house

We keep cords away from doorways and walkways, avoid running them through windows or doors that pinch them, and never route lights near the gas meter or the water heater vent. Lights stay clear of dry plants and anything that gets hot.

Choosing lights

Warm white LEDs give a classic glow; cool white looks crisp and modern; multicolor feels playful. C9 bulbs read well from the street on eaves; mini lights suit trees, shrubs and railings. Mixing too many styles can look busy, so we suggest one style per area: big bulbs on the roof line within reach, minis on plants, and a few accent pieces at the door.

Neighbors and timing

Many people want lights up right after Thanksgiving. We open booking in late October and schedule in order. Takedowns happen in early January. If you are away for the holidays, a timer keeps the display running while you are gone.

Lights for businesses

Shops and restaurants along the valley’s commercial streets often want window lights and storefront strings that can be reached from a ladder. We hang those on the same ground-and-ladder basis, before or after business hours.