Lawrence's Own Christmas Lighting Crew
We're not a franchise that drops your zip code into a template from three states away. First Response Exterior Lights is based right here in Lawrence, Kansas. We're Lawrence natives — we grew up here, we live here, and the money you spend with us stays in this community. Charlie's family opened The Mad Greek on Massachusetts Street in 1988, and he grew up in that downtown business before becoming a firefighter and paramedic. When we say we're local, we mean our roots are on Mass Street.
You shouldn't have to spend a Saturday in December on a ladder in the cold. We design, hang, maintain, and take down your holiday display so you get the magazine-cover house without the frozen fingers — or the trip to the ER. We treat your roofline the way we treat everything: carefully, and by the book.
How Our Christmas Light Service Works
Simple from start to finish. You make one call, and we take it from there:
You Pick the Colors
Warm white, classic multicolor, red-and-white, cool winter blue — whatever look you want for your home. We'll walk you through the options.
We Custom-Fit It
We design and measure the display to fit your specific house — your roofline, your trim, your landscaping. Nothing generic.
We Install It
Our crew shows up fully equipped, installs everything cleanly with no staples or drilled holes, and leaves your property spotless.
We Remove It
After the season we come back and carefully take everything down. You never touch a ladder or untangle a strand.
We Store It — If You Ask
You own your lights, and at your request we'll label and store them for you between seasons so they're ready to go next year. Totally optional — they're yours either way.
No contracts. Ever. We never lock you into future years. You decide each season whether to have us back — and we earn it every time. That's the whole point of “Actions, Not Words.”
Everything is included in your service: custom design, commercial-grade LED lights supplied by us, professional installation, mid-season maintenance if a bulb or timer ever acts up, and takedown. You're not running to the hardware store and you're not storing a thing unless you want us to.
Why Hire a Firefighter-Owned Crew
Hanging Christmas lights is roof work. Ladders, ice, steep pitches, power lines — the exact combination that sends people to the emergency room every December. This is where being firefighter-owned stops being a slogan.
Charlie is a career firefighter and paramedic. Ladder safety, roofline work, and spotting a hazard before it becomes an accident aren't marketing points for him — they're the day job. When our crew is on your roof, we bring that same discipline. We're fully licensed and insured, so your property is covered, and we know how to work a high or steep roofline safely. You can trust us with the ladders and the lights.
Proudly Serving Lawrence & Douglas County
We install across Lawrence and Douglas County — from the historic homes downtown near Massachusetts Street to the established neighborhoods of West Lawrence and the newer additions out toward Alvamar. We know how Lawrence homes are built because we live in them. We also serve Eudora, Baldwin City, and the surrounding communities.
Christmas Light Pricing in Lawrence
Every home is different, so we give free, no-obligation estimates. Seasonal Christmas light installation is priced mainly on how much of your roofline and landscaping you want covered, plus design complexity — and the price always includes design, commercial-grade lights, installation, in-season maintenance, and takedown.
Every Lawrence home is different, but as a guide, most homes here run $500–$1,500+ for the full season — design, professional-grade lights, installation, in-season maintenance, and takedown all included. Where you land depends on the size of your home and how many lights you want. The best way to know your exact number is a quick, free estimate.
Christmas Lights vs. Permanent Lighting
A lot of Lawrence homeowners start out asking about seasonal Christmas lights and realize what they really want is permanent lighting — a color-changing LED system installed once along your roofline that you control from your phone, for every season and holiday. If you love a fresh classic look each year, professional seasonal installation is perfect. If you'd rather never pay an annual install fee again, permanent lighting often pays for itself in a few seasons. Not sure? We install both and we'll give you a straight answer for your house. See our permanent Christmas lights →
Christmas Light Installation FAQs
When should I book Christmas light installation in Lawrence?
Earlier than you'd think. The best installation dates fill up through the fall. If you want your lights up before Thanksgiving, reach out in September or October and we'll lock in your date.
How long does installation take?
Most residential Christmas light installations take about 2 to 6 hours depending on the size of your home and the design. We schedule it, show up, and finish in one visit.
What happens if a bulb or strand fails mid-season?
You call or text us and we come back out to fix it — usually within 24 hours, and never more than 48. Mid-season maintenance is included in every installation, so you're never the one troubleshooting a dark section in December.
When do you take the lights down?
Takedown typically happens in early January on a schedule that works for you. We remove everything carefully and leave your home clean.
Do you store the lights for me?
Only if you'd like us to. At your request we'll label and store your lights so they're ready to reinstall next year. It's completely optional.
Am I locked into a contract for future years?
Never. There is no contract and no future-year commitment. You decide each season whether to have us back, and we plan to earn it every time.
Do you provide the lights, or do I buy them?
We supply everything — commercial-grade LED lights custom-cut to your home, clips, and timers — and the lights are yours to keep. They're brighter, safer, and far more reliable than retail box-store strands, and we guarantee them all season.
Do I own the lights or lease them?
You own them. Most installation companies lease you the lights and take them back every January. Ours are yours to keep — and when you want them rehung next season, the price is just 65% of your original installation.
Do you do commercial buildings too?
Absolutely. We light homes and businesses across the region — we've done fire stations, dealerships, restaurants, banks, and retail. Commercial holiday lighting is one of our specialties.
Do you serve Eudora, Baldwin City, and the rest of Douglas County?
Yes. We serve Lawrence and all of Douglas County, including Eudora and Baldwin City, plus the surrounding area. If you're nearby and not sure, just ask.
Are you insured?
Yes, fully licensed and insured. Since this is ladder-and-roof work, that matters — and as a firefighter-owned business, safety is non-negotiable for us.