A beautiful Christmas display starts with a practical question: what will it cost? Around Middle Tennessee, two homes on the same street can need very different lighting plans. A simple front roofline is not the same project as a tall home with several peaks, wrapped trees, wreaths, and a long driveway. Understanding what goes into the quote helps you choose a display that feels right for your property and your budget.
Typical starting ranges For a starter display, a typical range is $600–$1,300. A mid-size project typically falls around $1,300–$2,000, while two-story and estate displays can start at $3,500+. These are planning ranges, not fixed packages or a promise that every home fits a particular bracket. Your actual design, installation access, and selected decorations determine the quote. The current Pricing page provides another point of reference, but a custom estimate is what establishes your number.
A smaller home with a detailed roof can require more work than a larger home with one straightforward line. Likewise, choosing a restrained roofline rather than lighting every feature can keep a substantial property’s display focused. Think of the ranges as a place to begin the conversation—not a substitute for looking at the house.
Roofline length and shape The length of the roofline affects how many bulbs and how much installation work a display needs. Eaves, peaks, and dormers all contribute to that total. The shape matters too: a continuous lower eave has different access needs from several steep peaks separated by sections of roof. Our design considers the lines you actually want illuminated, rather than assuming the entire perimeter must be covered.
Before requesting a quote, consider which view matters most. Is it the front elevation from the road, the entry guests walk toward, or a home visible from several directions? That decision helps us direct the budget toward the parts of the property you will enjoy most.
Decorative items add depth Wrapped trees, shrubs, wreaths, columns, and pathway lights bring dimension to the display, but each item adds its own materials and installation time. A large tree is not priced like a small shrub. A wreath over a high window has different mounting needs from one near a front door. Quantity, size, and placement all matter.
You do not need to include every possible decoration. A roofline with one well-placed wreath can feel complete. For a house set farther back from the road, a lit tree or selected ground lights may make more visual impact than extra detail on a distant porch. A good design finds that balance.
Home size, height, and design Overall home size provides context, but height and complexity often explain the price more clearly than square footage alone. Multi-story access, long runs, and coordinated architectural details require planning. Color choices and the density of tree wrapping also influence the final scope. We talk through these decisions before treating a display as an agreed project.
It helps to share your priorities and a comfortable budget range. That lets us explore a focused design rather than quote a long list of features you never wanted. Photos of the front of your property can also make the initial discussion easier.
What the lease includes Glowing Coal uses a fully hands-off seasonal lease. The price includes design, professional-grade lights, installation, maintenance, takedown, and storage. You are not buying strands and then separately arranging someone to install or remove them. The equipment is provided as part of the agreed display and stored for you afterward.
That distinction matters when comparing quotes. Ask whether another price covers the whole season or only installation, and whether you must purchase the lights yourself. Comparing the same scope is more useful than comparing the smallest headline number.