7 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Permanent Holiday Lighting
Most homeowners only buy permanent lighting once. Here are the seven mistakes we see most often — and how to avoid each one.
1. Choosing on price alone. The lowest quote is almost always the wrong call. Cheap channels yellow in DFW sun within 3 years and bulbs fail outside warranty.
2. Skipping the daytime appearance check. Ask for a daytime photo of an install on a similar fascia color. Some installers use white channel on every home regardless of trim color — it looks wrong from day one.
3. Accepting non-RGBW bulbs. RGB-only systems can't produce true warm white for year-round use. RGBW is the standard — accept nothing less.
4. Using a subcontracted install crew. Quality varies wildly when crews change every job. In-house crews own the warranty and the result.
5. Forgetting the HOA. Submit before you sign — not after install. Retrofitting an HOA-rejected install is expensive.
6. Underestimating accent zones. Most homeowners say 'just the roofline' on day one and add tree uplighting within 6 months. Plan zones during design even if you install them later.
7. Ignoring the controller location. Hot west-facing walls and direct sun shorten controller life. A shaded north-facing or garage-mounted location adds years.
If you want a second opinion on a quote you've received, send it to us — we'll review it for free and tell you honestly whether it's fair.
