Permanent holiday lighting installation: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What permanent holiday lighting installation is

Permanent holiday lighting installation mounts a track or channel with programmable LED lights along rooflines and trim so the lights stay up all year. A controller and power supply are set up so the homeowner can change colors and patterns for holidays and events. People choose this when they want a clean display that is always in place and does not need a ladder each season.

Signs you need it

  • A homeowner who puts lights up every season and wants the display to stay in place
  • Rooflines and trim that are hard to reach safely for a seasonal install
  • A desire for color patterns that change for holidays, games or events
  • Lights that have been hung before and sag, drop or fail to stay on a steady line
  • A home with a clean roofline that could use a permanent, consistent lighting line

What the pro does

  • Measure the roofline and trim, and mark the track or channel path with the spacing and the connection points
  • Mount the track or channel to the fascia or trim with fasteners and clips that do not pierce the roofing
  • Install the LED pixels or lights in the channel and connect them with the correct power and data run for the length
  • Mount the controller and power supply in a protected, accessible location, and connect them to power through an outdoor-rated outlet or box, with any new wiring done by a licensed electrician
  • Program the color patterns, schedules and event modes, and show the homeowner how to change them from a phone or remote

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the roofline and trim that gets the lighting
  • Height and pitch of the roof, and the lift or access needed for the install
  • Track or channel type, LED density and whether the lighting is full color or single color
  • Controller type and the number of channels or zones the homeowner wants to control
  • Electrical work needed to add an outdoor circuit, outlet or protected box
  • Mounting method for the track, which varies by fascia, trim or roof edge type
  • Programming, patterns and the time spent setting up the schedules

What a written quote should spell out

  • Length of the track or channel for each roofline, with the number of runs and corners
  • LED type, density and color capability, and the power supply used
  • Controller type, the number of zones, and the control method, such as a phone app
  • Electrical work listed as its own line, including the circuit, outlet or box and the licensed electrician responsible
  • Mounting method and fasteners used, and how the track is kept off the roofing
  • Programming, scheduling and training on how the homeowner runs the lights

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How is the track mounted to my fascia or trim, and does it touch the roofing?
  • Who does the wiring, and is it a licensed electrician who pulls any needed permit?
  • Which circuit will the lights use, and is the outlet or box protected for outdoor use?
  • What control method do you use, and will I be able to change patterns without a service call?
  • What is the warranty on the LEDs, the controller and the power supply?
  • How will you protect the lights from water and heat at the roofline?
  • Can you show me a finished install with a roofline like mine?

Red flags

  • Track fastened through the shingles or into the roofing with no sealing plan
  • New outlets, circuits or hard-wired connections offered by someone who cannot show the electrical license your area requires
  • Lights powered from a cord or an outlet that is not rated or not sized for the load
  • A controller mounted in a damp or unprotected spot with no weather protection
  • No warranty terms on the LEDs or the controller

What you can do yourself

You can safely plan the layout, collect product sheets, and check the roofline from the ground to note where the track would go, and you can review color patterns on a controller that a licensed electrician has already powered. Do not mount track or lights on a roof or from a ladder, and do not connect the controller or power supply to house wiring yourself. Call a licensed electrician for the power and circuit work, and a pro for the mounting at the roofline.

Licenses and permits

Permanent lighting that needs a new outlet, circuit or hard-wired connection is electrical work, which a licensed electrician commonly does and which often needs a permit. Check with your state and local licensing and building offices before work begins.

Permanent holiday lighting installation questions

Does the track damage the roofing?

It can if the track is fastened through the roofing or the flashing. The installer should mount it to the fascia or trim with fasteners and clips that keep it off the roof surface.

Can I use a regular extension cord to power the lights?

No. A cord is not a safe permanent connection. Power should come from a protected outdoor outlet or box, and any new outlet or circuit should be installed by a licensed electrician.

Will the lights hold up to rain and summer heat?

They are designed for outdoor use, but only if the track, the connections and the controller are installed as the manufacturer specifies. Ask the installer for the ratings and the warranty terms.

Can I change the colors from my phone?

That depends on the controller. Ask the installer which control method is included, how it connects, and how you will be trained to use it.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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