Orem, Utah, is a family-oriented city with a strong sense of community during the holiday season. The city is home to neighborhoods like North Park, Cascade, and areas around Utah Valley University where homeowners take pride in elaborate Christmas displays. The market for professional holiday lighting installation in Orem is growing as more residents seek convenience due to busy schedules, safety concerns, and the desire for a high-end, consistent look. Competition exists from a few well-established local companies and a handful of seasonal operators, but there is still room for a new business that focuses on reliability, quality, and local visibility. The season typically runs from mid-November through early January, with the busiest weeks for installation being the two weeks before Thanksgiving. Many homeowners want lights up before the annual Orem Christmas celebration and neighborhood decorating contests. Additionally, commercial clients such as local retail shops, office parks, and the Orem City Center can provide steady revenue. Offering both residential and light commercial services will position your business for a strong first season.
Every business operating within Orem city limits must obtain a Business License from the Orem City Recorder's office. You can apply online or in person at 56 North State Street. The fee is typically around $60–$80 for a general business license, and you must renew annually. If you plan to operate as a sole proprietor, you can use your Social Security number; however, registering a Limited Liability Company (LLC) with the Utah Division of Corporations provides personal liability protection. An LLC costs about $70 to file and requires an annual renewal fee.
General liability insurance is critical. Most Orem homeowners and commercial property owners will request proof of insurance before allowing you on their property. A policy with at least $1 million in coverage is standard. Additionally, if you hire employees, you must carry workers’ compensation insurance as required by Utah law. For subcontractors (if you hire helpers), ensure they also have their own insurance, or you may be liable.
While holiday lighting is generally low-voltage and plug-in, if you plan to do any hardwiring (like installing new outlets or permanent roof hooks), Utah law requires a contractor’s license from the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL). Most holiday lighting businesses avoid this by only using plug-in lights and temporary clips. Still, consult with Orem City’s business license department to confirm there are no additional electrical permits needed for temporary seasonal installations.
Go to Google Business Profile and claim your business. Use your actual Orem address or a service-area option if you work out of your home. For holiday lighting, set your primary category to “Holiday Decorating Service.” Add secondary categories like “Christmas Lights Installation” if available, or “Decoration Service.” Fill out every field: phone number (local 801 area code), website, hours of operation (seasonal – e.g., Nov–Jan), and a brief description that includes “holiday lighting installation in Orem” and “Utah Valley.”
Focus on location-specific keywords: “holiday lights Orem,” “Christmas lighting installers Orem Utah,” “Orem Christmas light company,” and “roof lights Orem.” Use these phrases naturally in your website copy, service pages, and blog posts. Create a dedicated page for each service area (e.g., “Holiday Lighting in Provo,” “Christmas Lights in Lindon”). Include a blog post about “Top 5 Orem Neighborhoods for Holiday Light Installations” that mentions local landmarks like Orem City Center Park and the SCERA Center for the Arts.
Get your business listed on the Orem Chamber of Commerce website, Nextdoor, Yelp, Facebook Business, and local community directories like the “Orem Connecting” Facebook group. Ensure your Name, Address, Phone Number (NAP) is consistent across all platforms. Also consider Utah-specific directories such as UtahBiz and the Utah Valley Home Builders Association list.
Sponsor a local event (e.g., a neighborhood holiday lighting contest) and ask for a link back to your site. Partner with Orem real estate agents and property managers – they often have blogs where they can mention your service. Guest post on a local home improvement blog. Backlinks from .edu or .org sites in Utah County carry extra weight.
Ensure your website loads fast on mobile devices, because many Orem residents look for “last minute holiday lighting” on their phones. Optimize for voice queries like “who installs Christmas lights in Orem near me?” by including conversational phrases in your content.
Pricing in Orem generally falls into three tiers based on home size and complexity. Offering free estimates is expected. Consider these models:
Run a free GBP audit, analyze your competitors, and track your review growth — all in one platform.
Try BizLaunchIQ Free →