Who shouldn't buy permanent lighting
Search results for 'permanent Christmas lights regret' are full of real complaints, and some of them are fair. We sell the product and we'd rather tell you the cons before the measure than hear them after. Here they are.
You're moving in two or three years
A permanent system is a fixture; it stays with the house. Dusk listing photos with a lit roofline are a real plus, but you won't get the purchase price back in the sale. On average, permanent lights run about $3,000 and Christmas lights about $600; smaller homes often cost less, and the free measure gives your exact written quote. Seasonal service costs less up front, but it's hung, taken down and paid for again every season. If you're leaving in two or three years, stay seasonal.
You rent
Unless the owner is buying, permanent lighting isn't yours to install. Seasonal service works on rentals with the owner's permission for the clips.
You want one color, one month, and nothing else
A permanent RGBW system's value is 365 nights of warm white plus a dozen scenes. If you'll never use the app after New Year's, you're paying for capability you don't want. Seasonal single-color C9s are the right buy; what Christmas light installation costs covers what's included and what it costs.
Your HOA bans year-round exterior lighting
Rare, but it exists. A warm-white setting and holiday schedule still need to satisfy your association’s actual rules. Check the CC&Rs before the measure; our HOA guide explains what committees ask.
The budget is tight
We charge by the foot: simple, honest, no hidden fees. Your written quote spells out everything before any work starts. On average, permanent lights run about $3,000; smaller homes often cost less, and the free measure gives your exact written quote. If that's more than you want to spend, C9 Classic on clips is our lowest-cost permanent option. Below that, seasonal service or a Govee kit are the real options, and our Govee comparison says so.
The fascia is vinyl, rotten, or about to be replaced
VHB bonds to painted wood, composite and metal. Vinyl fascia needs brackets and often isn't worth it; rotten fascia needs a carpenter first; and if you're re-siding or re-roofing next year, wait, because the channel comes off with the fascia. We'll tell you at the measure.
Lifetime coverage on your lights
Our installation includes a lifetime warranty on the lights, 10 years on the controller and one year on workmanship. You have a local team to contact and written coverage with your quote. Parts coverage and service visits have separate terms; we explain both before installation.
You'll dislike the channel in daylight
It's low-profile and color-matched, and most visitors don't see it. Some owners do, every time they pull in. Look at a channel sample against your fascia in daylight at the measure before you decide; if it bothers you then, it will bother you later.
You expect it to be maintenance-free forever
Close, but not quite. Power supplies are the part most likely to be replaced in a decade, a light may fail and need a twist-lock swap, and Wi-Fi changes need a reconnect in the app. It's less work than seasonal strands by a wide margin and more than zero.
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Packages mentioned
- C9 Classic — Full-color C9 bulbs on clips, the way Christmas lights have always been hung. Our lowest-cost permanent option.
- Pebble Track — Small dome lights in a color-matched channel. Warm white for every evening, color for special occasions.
Priced by the foot · No hidden fees