At MSG Holiday Lighting in Medford, NY, we hear this question all the time: should you tackle holiday lighting yourself or hire a pro? It’s a big decision, especially when you want your home to look magical for the season without the stress. We’re here to walk you through what matters so you can choose what’s right for you.
What You’ll Be Getting: Quality & Design
When you go the DIY route, you’re usually working with store-bought bulbs, basic setup tools, and your own design ideas. That can work, and for some people, it’s part of the fun. But when you hire us, you get more than just lights. We bring experience in design balance, color coordination, and structural placement so your home looks wow-worthy all season.
Professional holiday lighting vs DIY really shines when subtle details matter. How the lights complement your roofline, how shadows fall, how the glow feels from the road. A pro install tends to use higher-grade materials built for long life and safety. You’ll see fewer burnt out sections, fewer loose wires, and less risk of ladder slips.
Time, Effort, and Stress
Putting up lights yourself means climbing ladders, untangling strands, figuring out which plug is overloaded, and redoing parts when things look uneven. It might stretch your weekend plans or keep you outside an hour longer than expected in cold weather. On the other hand, hiring us means you can reclaim your time. We show up with tools, know-how, safety gear, and a plan.
Also, think about what goes into prepping. Measuring your roof edges, planning power sources, getting permits if needed. With MSG Holiday Lighting, we handle that so you don’t have to worry if you’ve ordered enough clips or what happens if snow or wind damages what you put up.
Safety & Reliability
Electric lights, high roofs, winter conditions — these things can be dangerous. If you’re up on a ladder in icy spots or handling cords without ground-fault protection, you’re facing risks many homeowners don’t anticipate. Professionals are trained in safe installation methods, proper grounding, weatherproof connections, and load capacities.
When you hire a pro, you’re also buying peace of mind. We’ve done installs in Medford for years. We know what breaks, what fails, and how to prevent issues so you’re not scrambling to fix half your display while guests arrive or when the storm rolls in.
Cost: Upfront vs Long Term
Yes, DIY usually costs less upfront. You pay only for materials, maybe a few tools. Hiring a company like MSG Holiday Lighting will cost more — labor, better materials, possibly insurance, and the guarantee that the job is done right. But in many cases, the long-term savings and benefits offset that premium.
Higher quality bulbs last longer. Stronger clips and fasteners survive snow, wind, and freeze-thaw cycles. If you don’t have to replace strands every year or redo parts because of poor installation, eventually your total cost over several seasons may be lower with professional holiday lighting vs DIY.
When DIY Still Makes Sense
If your display is small — just a few bushes, a porch railing — and you enjoy tinkering with lights, DIY might be perfect. If you already own many of the supplies, have safe equipment, and are okay with spending a few weekends adjusting things, you can get a charming result.
Also, if budget is tight, doing some of the work yourself but hiring a pro for the trickier parts like roof edges, high trees, or electrical setup can be a hybrid solution.
So, What’s Best for You in Medford?
Ask yourself what you value most: lower cost, saving time, guaranteed results, or the joy of doing it yourself. If you want your home to shine with minimal hassle, superior safety, and designs that draw compliments, professional holiday lighting from MSG Holiday Lighting is often worth the investment. If you love DIY, enjoy the challenge, and have the time and tools, then tackling it yourself can be rewarding too.
Whatever route you choose, we’re here if you want to request a quote. You may also call us at (631) 485-7885 and let us help you decide what makes sense for your home, your budget, and your peace of mind this holiday season.