Below are the price ranges published by two national cost guides, Angi and HomeGuide, with the source named on every line. They don't agree with each other, which is useful in itself: Angi's figures read like a simple roofline job, HomeGuide's like a fuller design. Neither is Walnut Creek-specific. Bay Area labor tends to push quotes toward the upper half of a national range, and the only price that applies to your home is a written quote from the installer who designs it.
Cost by home size
| Home | Angi (A) | HomeGuide (H) |
|---|---|---|
| Single-story | $200–$450 (about 100–150 ft of roofline) | $250–$2,400 |
| Two-story | $350–$800 (about 150–250 ft) | $500–$3,600 |
| Three-story | $700–$1,500 (about 250–400 ft) | $750–$5,000 |
| Estate / custom | $1,000–$2,500 (400+ ft) | Custom designs: $1,000–$8,000 (A) |
Angi puts the national average at about $444, with most homeowners spending $220–$684. HomeGuide puts a basic roofline package at $250–$1,500 and larger homes at $750–$5,000.
Cost per linear foot
Most installers price by the foot of roofline and add trees, shrubs and wreaths separately. Angi gives $2–$5 per linear foot; HomeGuide gives $5–$12 per linear foot. The difference is largely what's included: lights supplied for the season, timers, service calls and takedown all sit inside the higher figure.
| Roofline footage | HomeGuide range |
|---|---|
| 50 ft | $250–$600 |
| 450 ft | $2,300–$5,400 |
Permanent Christmas lights
HomeGuide's permanent-lights guide (2024) puts installed systems at $20–$40 per linear foot, roughly $2,000–$8,000 on average.
| Linear feet | Installed cost |
|---|---|
| 50 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| 100 | $2,000–$4,000 |
| 150 | $3,000–$6,000 |
| 200 | $4,000–$8,000 |
| 250 | $5,000–$10,000 |
It's a one-time cost rather than a yearly one, so compare it with several years of seasonal installs. See permanent vs seasonal lights and permanent Christmas lights.
Takedown and storage
Most full-service installs include takedown in January. If yours doesn't, HomeGuide puts separate removal at about $100–$400. Storage of lights the installer supplies is often included; storage of lights you own may not be. Ask.
What pushes a quote up or down
- Footage and stories. More roofline and more height mean more lights, more ladder time, and sometimes a lift.
- Peaks and complexity. Many gables, turrets and dormers take longer than one long, straight eave.
- Trees. Wrapping a large oak trunk and limbs is labor-heavy and usually priced per tree.
- Who supplies the lights. Lights provided by the installer for the season are built into the price; owning your lights shifts the cost to year one.
- Roof type. Tile and steep roofs take more care and different clips.
- Timing. Ask whether booking early, or choosing a later takedown date, changes the price.
How to compare two quotes
Line them up on the same things: total footage, which trees and features are included, who owns the lights, whether takedown and storage are included, how service calls work, and proof of insurance. A cheaper quote that leaves out takedown can end up costing more. The hiring checklist has the full list.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to have Christmas lights put up?
Angi (May 2026) puts the national average at about $444, with most people spending $220–$684. HomeGuide (2026) puts a basic roofline at $250–$1,500 and larger homes at $750–$5,000. Bay Area quotes often land in the upper half.
Do installers charge by the foot?
Most do, for the roofline. Angi gives $2–$5 per linear foot and HomeGuide $5–$12; trees, shrubs and wreaths are usually priced separately.
Is it cheaper to buy permanent lights?
Not in year one. HomeGuide puts permanent systems at about $20–$40 per foot installed. They can come out ahead over several years because there's no yearly install and takedown, and they're used for more than one holiday.
Are these prices for Walnut Creek?
No. They're national ranges from Angi and HomeGuide. Bay Area labor often pushes quotes toward the top. The price for your home comes from the installer's written quote.
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.
