Frequently Asked Questions

Our installs range from $550 to $100,000. Exact prices are based on the design at time of consultation, but most houses in this area range from $750 - $2,000.

Check out our 2024 Products & Designs catalog for more information on prices.

There is no “maximum price.” Our installations are priced based on your desired outcomes. We create designs that range from simple to extravagant to fit your needs and budget.

We recommend setting a budget prior to our consultation, and we can offer 2-3 design options within that budget to get you the best value. 

All lights and decorations we provide are rented to you for use throughout the season (November 1 - December 31). Just like when you rent a car, you have full use of the lights during the rental period, and you're responsible for taking care of the lights.

This means you're not purchasing the lights and paying us to store them, which some Christmas light companies required; we maintain ownership of all products and you rent from us. 

No! Some installers require this - we do not.

If you're interested in a 3-year service agreement, we give a discount in Year 1 and larger discounts in Years 2 & 3. 

Not sure about the 3-year option? No worries - we also offer 2-year service extensions if you want to test drive our service before committing to three years. You'll still be eligible for discounts in Years 2 & 3. 

Generally we don't install client-owned items as part of our full-service installation package. 

However, we now offer a Handyman Installation option for clients who already have their own lights and decorations. This service is billed at an hourly rate, and there are some restrictions on what can be safely installed.

See page 37 of our 2024 Products & Designs catalog for more information on handyman options.  

We offer a variety of discounts and promotions that change throughout the holiday season. These discounts include:

• Early Booking

• Early Installation (before November)

• Late Season Installation (after November)

• Packages

• ... and more. Ask your Design Consultant for more details

The design consultation is the foundation of your holiday lighting installation. This is where you and your family get to let your imagination run wild and create a design for the holidays that will have your whole neighborhood talking. All with the help and guidance of our design consultants.

Before the consultation, it's a good idea to review our 2024 Products & Designs catalog to get an idea of what design elements and colors you love. Most clients start with rooflines then add greenery, custom framing lighting, landscape lighting, and more to personalize their design. 

Setting a budget or budget range will make your consultation more efficient. With a budget, our consultants can create multiple designs that work within your price range and maximize your value.

You, or someone you’ve delegated as a decision maker, should be on site to meet with a member of our team during the consultation. This makes the process more collaborative and seamless to reach your final design.

In addition to the design, our consultant will discuss the installation process, service levels, and other expectations during this time.

A standard $150 deposit reserves your slot on our installation calendar. This deposit will apply to your final invoice and the remainder is due at the time of installation. 

Specialty decor items may require up to a 50% deposit.

When you submit a deposit, we’ll also give you an “done by” date that ensures your lights will be installed by a certain time.

If you have specific timing constraints or requests, please discuss that during your consultation. We try to be as accommodating as possible, but availability is limited and can vary.

You do not need to be present for the installation, but we do need permission to access your property. Our technicians are trained to be minimally invasive and treat your property better than their own. 

For payment, we can save your card on file (with our secure third-party payment processer) and then charge that once the lights are installed if you won’t be present or you can arrange alternative payment options with our office.

First, let's talk about what's not different between our Service Levels. No matter which you choose, you still get a free design consultation, custom-cut professional-grade lighting products installed, rental of lights throughout the holiday season, a digital timer, and takedown following the season. All products are rented.

VIP Customers get access to additional perks like access to exclusive designs and decor, priority installation timing, covered maintenance with no service trip fee, priority maintenance servicing, a courtesy maintenance check the week before Christmas, and no maintenance blackout dates.

Basic Customers can still request maintenance services starting at $79 per trip (some blackout dates apply). 

All tree and bush wraps use professional-grade lighting products - most bushes and trees look great with 5mm mini lights, while some larger ones require a bigger C7 bulb. Both wraps are available in a variety of colors. The most popular colors are warm white, red, green, and 5-color multi pattern. 

Showcase wraps are simply a stunning display of lights on your evergreen trees or bushes. This style is what we do for magazine-quality wraps, hence the name. These lights are installed using a method that shows no discernable pattern and lights the bush up from the inside. While this style is a bit more expensive, it uses approximately 3x the lights and will make your home stand out. 

Classic wraps are a traditional style of lighting evergreen trees and bushes. This style leverages a spiral or wave pattern based on the natural shape of the tree or bush. While this style uses fewer lights in a discernable pattern, it is a more price conscious option and still looks great. 

We accept card, check, cash, and some forms of digital transfer payments (ACH transfer, Zelle, etc.). Cash or check payments should be arranged with the home office prior to service, and card payments may incur a processing fee. 

Installation crews do not carry change for cash payment. 

All tips are split by the installation teams. Tips for exceptional service are appreciated but not expected. 

If our full-service options are out of your budget and you'd still like help with your Christmas lights, we now offer a Handyman Installation option for clients who already have their own lights and decorations. This service is billed at an hourly rate, and there are some restrictions on what can be safely installed.

See page 37 of our 2024 Products & Designs catalog for more information on handyman options.  

Caboodle Home Solutions is the parent company of Merry & Bright Professional Christmas Light installation. It is wholly-owned by Thomas and Tyler (the guys behind Merry & Bright) with a few home service companies under its umbrella. Some of our communications will be labeled as "from Caboodle Home Solutions" but rest assured you're speaking to the right company for Merry & Bright. 

If you're interested in our other services and perks for working with Caboodle, visit our website to learn more. 

We are locally owned and operated based out of the Lake Norman area. We service all of the Charlotte, NC metro; the Winston-Salem, NC metro; Pinehurst, NC; and additional areas by special request.