Can Christmas Light Installation Increase Off-Season Revenue for Exterior Cleaning Companies?
You've probably seen more and more home service businesses getting into Christmas lights. And if you run a window cleaning, pressure washing, or exterior cleaning company, you've likely wondered: Does this actually make sense for us?
The short answer is yes, but only if you do it right.
You Probably Won't Kill it in Year One, And That's Okay
The first season almost always involves a significant upfront investment in supplies. One business owner in this discussion spent $15,000–$25,000 on lights in year one and broke even, which was the right expectation going in. Year two and beyond is where the real profit kicks in, because the inventory is already paid for.
If you go in expecting to make a killing immediately, you'll be disappointed. If you go in with a plan, you'll set yourself up well.
It Fits Exterior Cleaning Better Than Almost Any Other Trade
Here's why this works for window cleaners and pressure washers specifically: your crew is already comfortable on ladders and rooflines every single day. That's where the money is in Christmas lights ridgelines, peaks, and high installations. Ground-level light strands don't command nearly the same margins.
Landscapers often struggle with this because their crews aren't used to working at height. For exterior cleaning companies, it's a natural extension.
Watch out for the things that can tip the scale
A few things to plan around:
Weather: In northern climates, early snow can wipe out installs entirely. Jobs that were booked but couldn't be completed cost one operator $6,000–$7,000 in lost revenue in a single season.
Customer cancellations: Clients who book and then back out before install can seriously hurt profitability, especially in year one.
Inventory overage: Ordering too much inventory "just in case" can leave you sitting on $8,000–$14,000 in uninstalled product. Not the worst thing for taxes, but it ties up cash.
One Bonus You Might Not Have Considered
Christmas lights give your team productive work in January takedowns. If you're fighting to keep crews busy in the off-season, this is a real benefit that doesn't always show up on a spreadsheet but absolutely matters.
If you're curious whether the numbers on a new service line like this actually pencil out for your business, that's exactly the kind of thing we help home service owners see clearly. Book a free call with our team at www.YourBlueSkies.com, no pressure, just clarity.