Get matched with top holiday decorators in Madison, SD

Heavy amounts of snow could be a problem. In many climates, lots of snow on your rooftop can lead to freeze-thaw cycle that create ice dams, which can damage rooftops. But if you’re using shingle clips, this snow poses an additional problem: As it melts and freezes, it can easily dislodge clips you’ve placed on your roof.

You can clean snow off your roof after a fresh snowfall while it’s still lightweight, but brushing off snow can also dislodge your clips. If you get a lot of snow, then roof clips become less viable.

You can tackle hanging Christmas lights yourself with the right tools, accessories, and a trusted friend or neighbor. You’ll need to purchase a ladder ($100 to $300), clips ($10 to $20), hooks ($10 to $15), and lights ($25 to $100 per string).

Otherwise, you should hire a trusted holiday light installer near you. You’ll pay an average price of $200 to $650, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing that the job is done correctly and safely.

You can take a few steps to prolong the life of your holiday lights. Make sure to replace burnt-out bulbs as quickly as possible to avoid overloading the rest of the circuit and knocking out more lights. Before packing them up each year, plug each strand into the wall to confirm everything is still working. Wrap the lights carefully back into their original packaging or something similar—winding a strand tightly together or leaving it to hang loose in a storage bin can lead to frayed or damaged wiring. 

Professional holiday decorating services cost between $300 and $2,500 or more, with an average cost of about $1,500. The total price depends on the size of your home, the extent of the work, your location, and whether materials are included. Simple interior decoration may cost around $300, while a combination of interior and exterior work often totals around $800. For large or extensive design services, you could pay $2,500 or more. Common service costs can include: exterior holiday light installation ($400), Christmas tree decoration ($200–$600), interior holiday design ($50–$200 per hour), and holiday landscaping ($50–$100 per hour). Note that some prices may only include labor, not the cost of the decorations themselves.