LightingBidPro

Business guide

How to Start a Permanent Lighting Business in 2026

Quick answer

To start a permanent lighting business: pick a product line (a dealer program or your own channel and pixel supply), get licensed and insured, set per-foot prices ($15–$40/ft is the common installed range), buy install gear, and build a sales process that measures homes quickly, shows homeowners a preview and sends a professional estimate. Many holiday lighting companies add permanent lighting to earn year-round revenue.

Try it free for 14 days $50/month after trial · 2 users included · Updated

Steps to start a permanent lighting company

  1. 1

    Research your market

    Look at home values, HOA rules and local competitors, and decide on residential, commercial or both.

  2. 2

    Choose a product line

    Compare dealer programs and white-label suppliers on warranty, app, colour options, margins and minimum orders.

  3. 3

    Set up the business

    Register the company, get general liability insurance and any electrical or contractor licensing your state requires.

  4. 4

    Price your systems

    Build a per-foot price from material, labor, overhead and margin, with surcharges for steep and multi-story work.

  5. 5

    Build your sales toolkit

    Get software to measure rooflines remotely, create before/after previews and send estimates.

  6. 6

    Generate leads

    Use Google Business Profile, local SEO, yard signs on installs, neighbourhood referrals and your existing holiday clients.

Permanent lighting business startup costs

Rough ranges; your numbers will differ
ItemTypical range
Business setup, licensing and insurance$1,000–$5,000
Ladders, safety gear and tools$2,000–$6,000
Starter inventory or dealer feesVaries widely by supplier
Marketing (signs, website, ads)$1,000–$5,000
Estimating softwareLightingBid Pro: $50/month

Why permanent lighting is a strong add-on for holiday installers

  • Higher ticket per job than seasonal installs.
  • Year-round sales instead of a four-month season.
  • Your seasonal client list is a warm lead list.
  • No storage, takedown or re-hanging each year.

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

The sales process that wins permanent lighting jobs

Permanent lighting is a considered purchase, so homeowners want to see the result and trust the number. Answer leads fast with a measured, per-foot estimate and an AI preview of their own house. LightingBid Pro is built for exactly that step.

Frequently asked questions

Is a permanent lighting business profitable?

It can be. Installed prices of $15–$40 per foot and typical jobs of $2,500–$7,500 leave room for healthy margins if you price correctly, measure accurately and keep install crews efficient.

Do I need an electrician license for permanent lighting?

It depends on your state and whether you do any hard-wired electrical work. Most low-voltage plug-in systems do not require one, but check local rules.

Should I join a dealer program or source my own lights?

Dealer programs offer a brand, training and warranty support; sourcing your own can improve margins but puts warranty and support on you. Many installers start with a dealer program.

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Measure roofline linear footage from satellite or the front photo of the house, with pitch correction. Built for Christmas and permanent lighting installers.

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