Decorating your home for the holidays can be an exciting part of the season, but it can be incredibly costly. One of the most expensive investments is purchasing high-quality holiday lights. Although you may want to install lights, you might not have the money for a whole-home lighting system. While purchasing might be right for some homeowners, others may prefer to lease holiday lighting.
But which is the right option for your home? Purchasing and leasing holiday lighting each has its own benefits and drawbacks, and it’s important that you understand them before deciding which is best for your home. If you’re on the fence about whether you should purchase or lease holiday lighting this year, keep reading to learn more about each option.
The Pros and Cons of Buying Your Holiday Lighting
When most homeowners think about holiday lighting, they probably think about purchasing their lights. Whether they buy their lights from the store or reach out to a holiday lighting professional for high-quality products, this is the most popular choice. There are many pros and cons to deciding to purchase your holiday lights this year, including:
Pros
- You Own The Lights Outright: One of the most significant benefits of purchasing your holiday lighting is that you own the lights outright. You won’t have to worry about high recurring costs to hang your lights each year; instead, you’ll just pay the upfront cost for the lights and any potential setup and takedown fees over the years.
- The Lights Come With You If You Move: Another benefit of purchasing your lights is that they come with you if you move. When you lease holiday lighting, you can only get your lights if you live within the company’s service area. If you decide to leave the area, you don’t have to worry about returning the lights and finding a new provider.
- You Spend Less in the Long-Term: The most significant benefit of purchasing your holiday lights is the lower long-term cost. The cost to lease holiday lighting every year can add up quickly, and if you’re trying to save money over the long term, it can be difficult to do so while paying this fee every year.
Cons
- The Upfront Cost is Higher: While purchasing your holiday lights may be more cost-saving in the long term, it is much more expensive upfront. If you’re working on a budget during an already costly holiday season, you may not have the wiggle room to justify the upfront cost of your lights.
- You Have to Pay for Replacements: It may be more cost-effective to purchase your lights upfront, but you are also responsible for paying when they stop working altogether. If more than one strand malfunctions, the cost to replace them all can be far more expensive than you anticipate.
Why It Makes Sense to Lease Holiday Lighting This Year
Although leasing your holiday lights isn’t the most popular option, it may be a good option for a variety of homeowners. No matter why you’re considering leasing your lights, there are several benefits and drawbacks to this decision. These include:
Pros
- Inexpensive Upfront Cost: The holiday season can be an expensive time of year, especially if you have a large family. When you lease holiday lighting instead of purchasing, you can save several hundred dollars that can be allocated to other things like gifts, large holiday meals, and parties with loved ones.
- You Don’t Handle Maintenance: As holiday lights get older, they may begin to malfunction and break down, leaving you with a less-than-stellar light display. If you lease holiday lighting, you aren’t responsible for the seasonal maintenance and repairs, and instead get reliable, high-quality lights on your home every holiday season.
- The Company Handles Storage: When you lease holiday lighting from a professional light installer, you don’t have to worry about storing your lights at the end of the season. Your team will return to take down your lights and store them in a professional, temperature-controlled facility to ensure they’re properly cared for in the off-season.
Cons
- It Costs More Over Time: If you are trying to make the most cost-effective decision for your home, leasing your holiday lights may not be your best choice. By year two, the cost of leasing may far outpace the cost of purchasing the lights up front, and it may be better to save a few hundred dollars throughout the year to buy them.
- You Never Own Your Lights: When you pay for something year after year, it would be nice to own it over time. However, when you lease holiday lighting every year, you are never any closer to owning the lights. If you want to own your lights, this isn’t the best way to reach that goal, and buying may be better for your long-term plans.
How to Decide Whether to Purchase or Lease Holiday Lighting
Ultimately, the decision to purchase or lease holiday lighting comes down to cost and maintenance. Which is best for you will depend on your budget and the level of upkeep you prefer. If you are looking for a low-cost way to decorate your home for the season and don’t want to worry about maintenance, leasing is the best option. It may also be a great option for individuals who are renting or don’t have the funds or space for holiday décor.
However, if you decorate your home every year and want to save money in the long term, it is best to purchase your lights. While you may be responsible for storage and maintenance, the cost savings can make it worthwhile for you. If you’re on the fence about purchasing or leasing, don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted lighting professional for additional information and advice.
All Your Holiday Lighting Needs in One Place
Whether leasing or purchasing holiday lighting is the right choice for your Boise home, our team at Blue Gander Window Cleaning is here to turn your holiday lighting dreams into reality. We are dedicated to providing homeowners with high-quality, professional light displays that everyone in the neighborhood will envy. When you turn to us for holiday light installation, you’ll have the peace of mind that you’re working with an award-winning, CLIPA-certified team.
If you would like to learn more about our holiday light installation, don’t hesitate to contact us today.