Spokane, Washington, experiences cold, snowy winters with average December lows of 24°F and significant snowfall. This creates a strong demand for professional holiday lighting installation and removal services. Homeowners in neighborhoods such as South Hill, Browne’s Addition, and the Comstock area often invest heavily in outdoor decorations, and many commercial properties along Division Street, downtown Spokane, and the Spokane Valley seek commercial lighting packages. The market is moderately competitive, with a mix of national franchises and independent operators. However, there is ample room for a new, well-localized business that capitalizes on customer service, reliability, and safe installation practices—particularly given the region’s ice and snow hazards. Seasonal demand spikes from October to January, with early-booking discounts in September being a common strategy. Weather patterns also favor weather-resistant lighting solutions, making LED and C9 bulbs the standard choice.
You must register your business with the Washington Secretary of State. Select a business structure (LLC is typical for liability protection). Obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number through the Washington Department of Revenue.
Spokane requires a general business license from the City’s Business and License Services. The fee is based on gross revenue, but for a new business, expect a base fee around $50–$100 annually. You can apply online or at City Hall.
If your services include electrical work beyond plugging in lights (e.g., hardwiring outlets or installing new circuits), you may need a Washington State electrical contractor license (L&I). For simple plug-in holiday lighting, this is typically not required, but double-check with the City of Spokane building department.
Carry at least $1 million general liability insurance to protect against property damage or injury. Many Spokane homeowners associations and commercial properties will require proof of insurance before you work on their premises.
Washington state’s workplace safety laws (WA L&I) require proper ladder safety training and fall protection if working above 10 feet. Spokane County also has ordinances regarding low-voltage landscape lighting that may apply to outdoor holiday installations.
Go to Google Business Profile and enter your business name, address (Spokane, WA), and phone number. Use a physical street address (a home office is fine if you serve clients on-site). Verify via postcard or phone. Do not use a P.O. Box.
Primary category: “Christmas Light Installation Service” or “Holiday Decorating Service.” Secondary categories: “Landscape Lighting Service,” “Handyman,” or “Lighting Contractor.”
Write a clear, keyword-rich description: “Professional holiday lighting installation and removal in Spokane and Spokane Valley. We specialize in residential and commercial holiday light displays, icicle lights, and gutter lights. Serving South Hill, Five Mile, and all Spokane neighborhoods.” Include local landmarks (e.g., “near Riverfront Park”).
Upload clear images of your work: lit houses, commercial buildings, before/after shots. Include seasonal photos with snow. Update photos annually. Add a cover photo and logo.
Encourage every customer to leave a Google review. Respond to all reviews professionally, especially negative ones. Offer a discount for repeat customers who leave a review. Respond within 24 hours.
Use Google Posts to announce early-bird specials, safety tips, and seasonal promotions. Example: “Book by October 15 for 10% off your full installation in Spokane.”
In your service area settings, add Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Cheney, Airway Heights, and other nearby towns. Limit to a 30-mile radius to keep your service area credible.
Target phrases like “holiday light installation Spokane,” “Christmas light installers Spokane Valley,” “commercial holiday lighting Spokane,” and “LED holiday lights Spokane.” Use Google Keyword Planner and local search suggestions.
Create a website with city-specific pages: “Holiday Lighting Service in Spokane Valley,” “Residential Christmas Lights South Hill,” etc. Include your location in title tags, meta descriptions, and H1/H2 headings. Write blog posts about “Spokane winter lighting tips” or “How to prepare your roof for holiday lights in Spokane’s snow.”
List your business on Spokane-specific directories: Spokane Chamber of Commerce, Nextdoor Spokane, Yelp Spokane, Angi (formerly Angie’s List), and the Spokane Home Builders Association directory. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency across all listings.
Partner with Spokane real estate agents, property managers, and home staging companies. Offer to provide a free lighting demo for a local blog or news outlet (e.g., The Spokesman-Review). Sponsor a neighborhood holiday parade in Spokane.
Write content mentioning Spokane landmarks: “Holiday lighting near Manito Park,” “Downtown Spokane commercial displays,” “Lighting installation for homes on the South Hill.” Embed a Google Map of your service area on your site.
Spokane residents search on mobile often. Ensure your site loads fast, has click-to-call buttons, and displays well on small screens.
In Spokane, typical pricing is based on linear footage or a flat project fee. Single-story homes: $250–$600 for a basic package (100–200 feet of lights). Two-story homes: $400–$900. Premium packages with custom designs (icicle lights, animated displays) can reach $800–$1,500. Include installation and removal in the price. Many companies charge a separate service fee for take-down in January ($100–$200).
Commercial properties (storefronts, strip malls) range from $1,000–$5,000 depending on size and complexity. Large apartment complexes or HOAs might pay $3,000–$10,000. Offer tiered packages. Add a charge for repairing existing decorations or using specialized equipment like bucket trucks.
Spokane’s cost of living is lower than Seattle, but winter weather adds logistical challenges. Charge a premium for second-story work or complex rooflines. Provide free quotes (onsite or via photo) and require a 50% deposit. Offer early-bird discounts in September/October (10–15% off). Avoid being the cheapest; emphasize quality, safety, and reliability.
Charge extra for removal, storage, and maintenance. Storage of lights (customer-owned) can be $100–$200 per season. Offer a “light repair” add-on if customers supply damaged strings.
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