What to prepare before requesting holiday light installation

Choose the areas that matter most

Describe where you want the display: the front roofline, a porch, particular trees, a driveway entrance, or a combination. If you have a budget in mind, separate the parts you care about most from the extras you would consider.

Think about where you will see the lights. A display viewed from the street may have a different starting point from one you will enjoy while sitting on the porch. An example photo can help explain the look you want. Say which details you like, such as the color, spacing, or areas covered.

You can leave decisions open. “I want the front of the house lit, but I am unsure about the trees” is a useful place to start.

Note what is already on the property

List any lights, timers, controllers, or mounting hardware you already have. If you know the brand or model, include it. Keep the packaging or instructions available, along with any photos of an earlier display.

Keep any packaging or labels that show whether your decorations and extension cords are intended for outdoor use. The Electrical Safety Foundation International says equipment used for outdoor decorating should be marked for outdoor use. If a label is missing or unclear, include that uncertainty in your request rather than treating the item as ready for the job.

Mention anything that did not work properly last season. Do not assume every strand in a box is ready to go back up. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends checking holiday lights each year and discarding strands with frayed or pinched wires.

Existing lights may be suitable for reuse, but their condition and fit still need to be reviewed. Before buying more, ask what can be used and what the proposed installation will require.

Sources: ESFI — Outdoor Decoration Safety Tips; U.S. Fire Administration — Holiday Fire Safety

Describe access and known power locations

Tell the installer what you already know about the property: the number of stories, a steep or awkward roofline, trees near the house, sloped ground, gates, or areas that are difficult to reach.

Note where existing outdoor outlets are located, if you know. Leave electrical suitability and any needed changes for the project review. You do not need to climb onto the roof or open electrical equipment to prepare a request.

Photos taken from the ground can help explain the layout. If you have them, say so in your request and ask how to share them. Do not include gate codes in general project notes; discuss access details when arrangements are being made.

Explain when you want the lights up and down

Give the date you would like the display ready and mention any flexibility. If the timing is tied to a family visit or gathering, include that context so it can be considered during scheduling.

Also say when you would like seasonal lights removed. Installation and takedown are both worth discussing before work begins. A preferred date in a request still needs to be confirmed.

If you want lighting that stays mounted throughout the year, make that clear at the outset. That calls for a different conversation from a display intended for one holiday season.

Ask what the proposed work includes

Before agreeing to the job, make sure you understand:

• Which areas will be lit and which will be left out
• Whether you are supplying the lights or the quote includes them
• Who will own any newly supplied lights
• Whether timer setup and takedown are included in the quoted work
• What to do if part of the display stops working
• How weather or access problems could affect the agreed plan
• Who will store the lights after removal

These are questions to settle with the installer. Do not assume that every installation includes the same equipment or follow-up work.

Put the essentials in your request

Copy the prompts below into your notes and fill in what you know. “Not sure” is a useful answer. You can use these details when you start a request.

Comal Property Solutions reviews lighting requests before scheduling, including roof access and any work involving regulated trades. You can read about landscape, roofline, and holiday lighting and start a request here.

Sources: Comal Property Solutions — Landscape, Roofline & Holiday Lighting