LightingBidPro

Installer guide

How to Bid Christmas Light Installation Jobs and Win More of Them

Quick answer

To bid a Christmas light installation: measure the linear feet of every run you'll light, multiply by your per-foot rate for the lighting type, add extras (trees, wreaths, timers, removal, storage), apply any minimum charge, and send a clear written estimate with a picture of the home lit up. Speed and clarity win most bids.

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How to bid a Christmas light job

  1. 1

    Qualify the lead

    Confirm the address, what they want lit (roofline, peaks, trees, walkways), the install window and their budget range.

  2. 2

    Measure the linear feet

    Measure eaves, gables at their sloped length, ridges and other runs from satellite or the front photo, or on site with a tape.

  3. 3

    Apply your per-foot rate

    Multiply footage by your rate for C9 seasonal, LED strands or a permanent system.

  4. 4

    Add extras and fees

    Add trees, wreaths, garland, timers, extension runs, removal and storage. Apply your minimum job charge.

  5. 5

    Show the result

    Include a before/after preview of the homeowner’s own house so they can see what they are buying.

  6. 6

    Send and follow up

    Send the estimate the same day with a validity date, then follow up within 48 hours.

The most common Christmas light bidding mistakes

  • Guessing footage instead of measuring it.
  • Forgetting that gable rakes are longer than they look from the ground or from above.
  • Not charging for height, steep pitch or difficult access.
  • Leaving removal and storage vague.
  • Taking days to respond while a competitor answers the same afternoon.

What a winning Christmas light bid includes

  • Your logo, contact details and the client’s address
  • What will be lit and the footage
  • The lighting type and colour
  • Extras, with quantities
  • Total price, deposit and payment terms
  • Install and takedown timing, and how long the price is valid
  • A picture of the home lit up

Measure it. Show it. Win it.

Measure the roofline, show the homeowner their house lit up and send the estimate, all in one app. $50/month for 2 users after a 14-day free trial. $0 today.

Start your free trial See how it works

Bid faster with estimating software

LightingBid Pro follows exactly these steps: measure on satellite or the front photo, pick systems and per-foot prices, add extras and an AI preview, then print or share the estimate. What used to take a site visit and an evening of paperwork takes minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate a bid for Christmas lights?

Linear feet × per-foot rate for the lighting type, plus extras (trees, wreaths, timers), plus removal and storage fees, with a minimum job charge. For example 180 ft × $8/ft = $1,440, plus $150 removal = $1,590.

Should I visit the house before bidding?

Not always. Many installers now bid remotely from satellite and street-level photos and confirm measurements on install day, which lets them respond to leads much faster.

How long should a Christmas light estimate be valid?

Commonly 14–30 days, since install calendars fill up quickly in the fall. State the validity date on the estimate.

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How to measure a roofline for Christmas or permanent lights: tape measure, satellite tracing with pitch correction, and front-photo measuring. Includes pitch table.

Measure it. Show it. Win it.

Measure the roofline, show the homeowner their house lit up and send the estimate, all in one app. $50/month for 2 users after a 14-day free trial. $0 today.

Start your free trial See how it works