Every year, homeowners across Canada haul out their ladders and lights and prepare to decorate their homes for the holidays. The savviest homeowners, however, will stay indoors while their pro or handyman of choice braves the elements to ensure their home becomes the most festive on the block. Here are four reasons to spare yourself the hassle of hanging holiday lights this season and instead, leave it to the pros.
Safety
When done safely, the process of hanging holiday lights is fairly extensive. What some homeowners don’t realize is that not only are there specific types of lights that are safe for exterior use, but there are also safe and unsafe ways to hang them. Your lights also need to be inspected annually for broken bulbs and frayed wires. Homeowners need to be particularly conscious of the fact that overloaded sockets can cause fires and that Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters outlets are necessary when plugging in outdoors. In fact, failing to take any of these precautions could result in a fire hazard that puts your entire family at risk. Between these electrical issues and the dangers of climbing a 12-foot ladder resting on an often-icy driveway, you are one wrong move away from a trip to the emergency room. An electrical specialist will not only ensure that your lights are hooked up correctly but also keep you off the roof.
Convenience
One of the most common reasons why homeowners choose to hire a professional to hang their holiday lights is convenience. The holiday season, and particularly the weekends leading up to it, should be spent indoors with friends and family away from the cold. Between social events, shopping, visiting family and planning vacations, most homeowners are short on spare time. Not to mention the fact that the job entails spending an entire afternoon outside in sub-freezing temperatures, making it rather unpleasant. This year, stay curled up by the fire while a pro takes care of the dirty work — we’re quite certain you won’t regret it.
Package Deals
On the high end, a first-time full-service exterior decorating will cost between 800 and 1,500 dollars. This fee includes purchasing necessary materials (the lights), the cost of putting them up and taking them down, as well as storage until next year. That being said, there are a number of ways to make this a more cost-effective venture. You can often reduce costs by renting lights or even using your own set (your pro will ensure they’re in good shape). Don’t forget that you ultimately decide how extensive you want your decor to be. Some homeowners pay as little as a couple hundred dollars to have portions of their roof strung with standard lights. Lastly, if you currently have regularly scheduled exterior maintenance, enquire with those companies about whether they offer holiday decorating in the winter months. From window cleaners to gardeners and tree service specialists, many of these businesses will offer some kind of decorating package in the offseason and may be willing to give you a deal as a known customer.
Aesthetics
The final benefit is something that all holiday fanatics can appreciate – the beauty of a well-decorated yard. A pro will be able to beautify all the spots you could never reach in ways you had never thought of. From coloured LED lights to tree-wrapping, these pros can have your yard looking better than you had ever imagined in a matter of hours. Contact a professional now and secure your home’s place as the most beautiful and festive on the block.
At this busy time of year, any to-do taken off your hands can make a world of difference. Holiday decorating, while important, can be painstaking and even dangerous. Stay safe and warm this holiday season and contact a handyman or pro to hang your lights. Spend that extra bit of time doing the things that matter the most – celebrating with friends and family.
Article updated November 15, 2019.
