Every Christmas, Toronto homeowners face the same choice: keep paying a company to install and remove temporary lights each year, or pay once for permanent Christmas lights.
If you pay a company every year to put up your Christmas lights and take them down again, you might eventually spend more than you would on permanent Christmas lights.
That’s the comparison we’re making in this article.
We’re not comparing permanent lights with hanging your own Christmas lights. Doing it yourself will almost always be cheaper.
We’re comparing these two options:
Option 1: Temporary Christmas Lights
Hire a professional company every Christmas to install your lights, then return after the holidays to take them down.
Option 2: Permanent Christmas Lights
Pay once to have permanent LED lights professionally installed along your roofline, where they stay year-round.
So, Which One Is Cheaper?
For many GTA homeowners who already hire a professional Christmas light company every year, permanent Christmas lights can become the cheaper option after roughly four to five years.
Here’s a simple example:
Professional seasonal lights: $1,000 per Christmas
Permanent Christmas lights: $4,500 one time
After five Christmas seasons:
Temporary lights: $5,000 spent
Permanent lights: $4,500 spent
From that point forward, the permanent system becomes increasingly less expensive because you are no longer paying for installation and removal every Christmas.
The exact break-even point depends on the size of your home, roofline, installation difficulty and what your seasonal lighting company charges.
In this guide, we’ll look at real Toronto-area pricing, compare both options and show you when permanent Christmas lights actually start saving money.
How Much Does Christmas Light Installation Cost in Toronto?
Toronto and GTA homeowners should generally budget between $600 and $1,200 per season for professional Christmas light installation and removal. Around $1,000 is a reasonable planning estimate for a professionally decorated home.
Small and simple projects can cost less. Large houses, high peaks, trees and elaborate displays can bring the price to $1,500, $2,500 or considerably more.
Shack Shine Christmas Light Pricing
Shack Shine’s Toronto Christmas light installation page says its first year Christmas light packages typically start at $1,100. This includes purchasing the lights, installation and takedown.
The company says customers generally pay approximately 45 to 55 percent of the original amount in later years. Based on its $1,100 starting price, that equals approximately $495 to $605 for installation and removal.
NICK’S Window Cleaning Christmas Light Pricing
NICK’S Window Cleaning’s Toronto Christmas light installation page also lists a starting price of $1,100 for Toronto and GTA customers. Its first year package includes the lights, professional installation and removal.
NICK’S says subsequent seasons cost approximately 70 percent of the original price. That produces a starting renewal cost of approximately $770 per season.
What GTA Homeowners Report Paying
A recent Burlington homeowner discussion on Reddit included a $650 job and quotes exceeding $1,000 for a high roofline.
In a broader Christmas light installation discussion, one customer reported quotes of $6 and $12 per linear foot. Another commenter suggested budgeting between $8 and $12 per foot.
Taken together, these examples show just how much professional Christmas light pricing can vary across Toronto and the GTA. The chart below is not an average of the companies and homeowner examples above. Instead, it summarizes the general price ranges you can expect based on the size, complexity and type of seasonal lighting service.
| Type of seasonal Christmas light service | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| Simple installation or handyman | $400 to $700 |
| Professional seasonal service | $600 to $1,200 |
| Large or difficult GTA home | $1,500 to $2,500 or more |
| Elaborate luxury display | $3,000 to $5,000 or more |
| Professional per foot estimate | $8 to $12 per foot |
Please note: These prices cannot always be compared directly. One quote may include lights, installation, removal, repairs and storage, while another may only cover labour.
What Are Permanent Holiday Lights?
Permanent holiday lights—also called permanent Christmas lights—are low voltage LED lights installed along a home’s roofline, soffits or fascia. They remain in place throughout the year instead of being installed every November and removed after Christmas.
Toronto Glow places its lights inside colour matched aluminum tracks fabricated locally in North York. The tracks conceal the wiring and help the system blend into the exterior during the day.
GTA homeowners control the colours, brightness, zones, patterns and schedules through a smartphone app. The same LED lighting system can produce red and green Christmas lighting, orange Halloween displays, Canadian colours, game day patterns or a warm white architectural glow.
For a deeper dive into permanent Christmas lights, read our guide: What Are Permanent Christmas Lights?
Permanent vs Temporary Christmas Lights: Which Costs Less?
Professionally installed temporary Christmas lights cost less upfront, but you pay for installation and removal again every Christmas. Permanent Christmas lights cost considerably more initially, but they are installed once and remain on the home year-round.
For this comparison, we are specifically comparing hiring a company to install and remove temporary Christmas lights each year with having permanent Christmas lights professionally installed once. We are not comparing permanent lighting with buying Christmas lights from a retailer and installing them yourself.
Toronto Glow’s permanent outdoor lighting systems typically cost $25 to $40 per linear foot, depending on the system and complexity of the project. A typical front-facing Toronto Glow installation costs between $3,000 and $6,000, with a simple front-only bungalow in Scarborough generally falling toward the lower end and a larger two-storey home or full-wrap Forest Hill property landing closer to the upper end.
For a closer look at the six factors that affect the cost, read Toronto Glow’s comprehensive guide to permanent Christmas light costs in Canada.
| Representative comparison | Initial cost | Five-season cost | Ten-season cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional seasonal service | $1,000 | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Permanent holiday lights | $4,500 | $4,500 | $4,500 |
This is an example, not a universal result. Across the broader ranges in this guide, break-even could occur in about 2.5 years for a $3,000 permanent system replacing a $1,200 annual service, or take up to 10 years for a $6,000 system replacing a $600 annual service. Coverage, complexity, renewal discounts and quote inclusions can all change the result.
How Long Do Permanent Holiday Lights Take to Pay for Themselves?
In the representative example used throughout this article, a homeowner compares a $4,500 permanent system with $1,000 in professional seasonal costs each year.
The payback can be faster for large homes with high or complicated rooflines. These properties are more expensive to decorate safely every year.
It can take longer when homeowners install their own lights or pay a handyman a few hundred dollars. Permanent lighting should not be presented as cheaper than doing the work yourself.
Permanent lights also provide value outside Christmas. Toronto Glow systems can be used for architectural lighting, security, holidays, birthdays and sporting events throughout the year.
That year-round usefulness is one reason homeowners often evaluate more than the simple payback period. Our detailed guide asks whether permanent Christmas lights are worth the cost, including convenience, curb appeal and long-term ownership.
What Affects Temporary and Permanent Christmas Light Installation Prices?
Temporary Christmas light prices can vary because companies package their services differently. Some quotes cover installation labour only, while others include the lights during the first year, January removal, repairs and storage. Permanent-lighting quotes generally include the lights, colour-matched tracks, wiring, controller and professional installation.
Despite those differences, the six main factors affecting the price of temporary and permanent Christmas lights are largely the same.
1. Linear Footage
Linear footage is usually the single biggest cost factor for both options, especially on a large Rosedale home with an extended roofline.
Temporary lights: More footage requires additional light strings, clips and annual installation labour.
Permanent lights: More footage requires additional LED bulbs, colour-matched track, wiring and one-time installation labour.
2. Breaks, Peaks and Roofline Complexity
Corners, gables, dormers and separate roof sections increase installation time for both systems, as they can on larger Burlington homes near the waterfront.
Temporary lights: Complex rooflines require more clips, connections and setup time every Christmas.
Permanent lights: Toronto Glow must custom-fit the aluminum track and conceal wiring around each architectural break.
3. Front-Facing vs. Full-Home Lighting
Covering only the street-facing roofline of an Oakville home costs less than adding side rooflines, garages, patios and backyard areas.
Temporary lights: Every additional area must be decorated and removed each season.
Permanent lights: Additional areas require more permanent components but can be controlled independently through lighting zones.
4. Installation Access and Roof Height
An accessible Scarborough bungalow is easier to install than a three-storey North York home with high peaks, narrow side yards or heavy landscaping.
Temporary lights: Difficult access increases labour during installation and again during removal every year.
Permanent lights: Difficult access affects the initial installation, but the crew does not need to return each season.
5. Lighting and Material Quality
Better materials cost more upfront for both options but are important through Toronto and GTA winters.
Temporary lights: Commercial-grade light strings generally cost more than basic retail lights.
Permanent lights: Pricing reflects weatherproof LEDs, aluminum tracks, hidden wiring, app control and warranty coverage.
6. When You Book
Christmas light installers across the GTA are busiest during November and December.
Temporary lights: Late bookings can mean limited availability or fewer installation-date options.
Permanent lights: Spring, summer and early-fall bookings offer more flexibility and may qualify for early-booking savings.
A labour-only seasonal quote cannot be compared directly with a package that includes lights, installation, removal, repairs and storage. Permanent-lighting quotes should clarify whether the lighting system, tracks, controller, wiring, installation and warranty are included.
Why Are Permanent Lights Better Than Temporary Christmas Lights?
The financial comparison is important, but cost is only part of the decision. Permanent lights also remove the annual work and scheduling involved with temporary decorations.
No More Installation and Removal
Permanent lights are installed once. There are no annual installation appointments, January takedowns, tangled strings or storage bins.
Toronto Glow describes this simply as one installation, no annual setup or removal, minimal ongoing maintenance and no more seasonal ladder climbing.
Built for Toronto Weather
Temporary strings can loosen, collect moisture or fail after repeated installation. A permanent system must withstand changing weather throughout the entire year.
Toronto Glow uses IP68 rated weatherproof components designed for snow, rain, ice, humidity and Toronto’s freeze and thaw cycles.
Rated for More Than 50,000 Hours
Toronto Glow’s LED bulbs are rated for more than 50,000 hours. That represents roughly 20 years depending on how many hours the lights run each night.
Read How Long Do Permanent Christmas Lights Last? for more information about weather, maintenance and system lifespan.
Useful Beyond Christmas
Permanent holiday lights can be changed in seconds. Homeowners can use them for Christmas, Diwali, Halloween, Canada Day, birthdays, parties, warm white exterior lighting and everyday curb appeal.
Toronto Glow offers 16 million colours, custom zones, scheduling and app control from anywhere.
Affordable to Operate
LEDs consume much less electricity than traditional incandescent Christmas lights. Smart scheduling also prevents the lights from running when they are not needed.
A typical 300 light Toronto Glow system costs approximately $9.40 per month when operated for eight hours every night using Ontario off peak rates. See the complete calculation in Do Outdoor LED Lights Use a Lot of Electricity?
Why Choose Toronto Glow?
Toronto Glow has illuminated 350+ GTA homes and has earned 100+ Google reviews. Every installation is completed by Toronto Glow’s own local team without subcontractors.
The company fabricates its colour-matched tracks at its North York shop using Ontario-made aluminum. Because the tracks are fabricated locally, Toronto Glow can custom-size them for unique homes without waiting two weeks for materials to be shipped from another country.
Toronto Glow installations also include:
- IP68 rated lighting components
- LED bulbs rated for more than 50,000 hours
- Trained local employees
- WSIB and liability insurance
- A five-year warranty on parts and labour
- Smartphone control and automatic schedules
- Local support after installation
So, Are Permanent Holiday Lights Cheaper Than Seasonal Christmas Lights?
Often, yes—for Toronto homeowners who already pay a company to install and remove temporary Christmas lights every year. Permanent lights are not necessarily cheaper than buying and installing inexpensive temporary lights yourself.
Professional seasonal lighting commonly costs between $600 and $1,200 annually, while a typical permanent system costs between $3,000 and $6,000. In this article’s representative $4,500-versus-$1,000 example, the calculated break-even point is 4.5 seasons; different prices will produce a different timeline.
Permanent lights also last roughly 20 years depending on use and eliminate yearly installation, removal and storage. They provide app-controlled lighting for Christmas, other holidays and everyday use, while also supporting the curb-appeal benefits discussed in our guide to permanent lights and home value.
The exact return depends on linear footage, roof complexity, accessibility, coverage and what the seasonal quote includes. Toronto Glow offers a free two minute estimate so GTA homeowners can compare the actual permanent lighting price for their property.
FAQs: Permanent Holiday Lights vs Temporary Christmas Lights
Is It Cheaper to Install Permanent Christmas Lights?
Permanent lights are usually cheaper over several years if you currently pay for professional seasonal installation and removal. They are not necessarily cheaper than installing inexpensive temporary lights yourself.
How Much Does It Cost to Have Christmas Lights Installed in Toronto?
A typical professional service costs approximately $600 to $1,200 per season. Large homes, high rooflines and elaborate displays can cost $1,500 to $2,500 or more.
Does Professional Christmas Light Installation Include Removal?
Many full service packages include removal, but it is not automatic. Ask whether the quote also includes lights, repairs and storage.
Do You Own the Temporary Lights After Installation?
It depends on the company. Some providers sell the custom lights to the homeowner, while others rent or lease their lights each season.
How Long Does It Take Permanent Lights to Pay for Themselves?
In this article’s representative example, a $4,500 permanent installation replacing $1,000 in annual seasonal costs reaches break-even after 4.5 seasons. Actual timelines vary with the price of both options.
How Long Do Permanent Christmas Lights Last?
Toronto Glow’s LED bulbs are rated for more than 50,000 hours. That represents roughly 20 years depending on how many hours they run each night.
Are Permanent Holiday Lights Safe During Toronto Winters?
Toronto Glow uses low voltage, IP68 rated components designed for year-round exposure. They are built to handle Toronto snow, rain, ice, moisture and changing temperatures.