Pro permanent lights vs. DIY kits
The real cost, the real risk, and why going pro pays off.
A DIY kit is cheaper on day one. But it is your weekend, your ladder and your repairs for years to come. A pro system is planned for your home, hidden during the day, and we fix it if anything goes wrong.
Your 3 choices
Hang lights every year
- On a ladder twice a year, often in the cold
- Or pay a crew every single season
- Only used about one month a year
- Cords, clips and bins to store
DIY permanent kit
- Low price up front
- You install it yourself, up high
- Stuck on with tape and clips
- When it breaks, you fix it
Shine pro install
- Our crew installs it, usually in a day
- Hidden track, color matched to your trim
- Lifetime parts, 5 years of labor
- Never touch a ladder again
The numbers
Pro install vs. a DIY kit
| Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 | Shine Lighting | |
|---|---|---|
| Who installs it | You | Our crew, usually in a day |
| How it mounts | Adhesive and clips | Fastened in a powder-coated aluminum track, color matched to your trim |
| Fitting your roofline | Strips cannot be cut. Up to 150 feet per control box | Planned and built to your exact roofline |
| Weather rating | Lights IP67, control box IP65 | IP68 sealed connections |
| Rated life | Up to 50,000 hours | Up to 100,000 hours |
| Warranty | 3 years | Lifetime parts, 5 years of labor |
| If something breaks | You handle it yourself | We come out and fix it |
Govee details come from Govee's product page for Permanent Outdoor Lights 2, checked September 26, 2026, and can change. Govee is a trademark of its owner. Shine Lighting is not affiliated with Govee.
What a DIY kit really costs you
- Your time. Plan on a full weekend or more, most of it on a ladder.
- Your safety. The top of a two story roof is the hardest and riskiest spot to reach.
- A clean look. Kit strips come in set lengths and cannot be cut, so they rarely fit your roofline exactly.
- Colorado weather. Hail, wind, snow and strong sun are hard on anything held up with tape.
- Repairs. When a section goes out, you are the repair crew.
What you get with Shine
- A lighting plan made for your home before we start
- Wiring run through the soffit, never lying in your gutters
- Lights rated for up to 100,000 hours
- A local crew you can call at 720-445-8570
- Monthly payments with 0% APR options for qualified buyers
“Zion and his team arrived on time, worked incredibly hard, and took great care to hide all wires and connections seamlessly.”
Tiffany D., Google reviewIs DIY ever the right call?
If you have a small, single story home and you love weekend projects, a kit can work. For two story homes, long rooflines, or anyone who wants it done right and covered for years, go pro.
1 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2023 holiday season (Nov. 1, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023). 2 HomeAdvisor national average for holiday light installation. Ten seasons at that average is about $4,400.
Quick answers
Is a DIY permanent light kit worth it?
A DIY kit like Govee costs less up front, but you install it yourself on a ladder, it is usually held on with adhesive and clips, and you handle every repair. A pro system is planned for your roofline, mounted in a metal track and backed by the installer.
How long do DIY permanent lights last compared to pro systems?
Govee rates its Permanent Outdoor Lights 2 for up to 50,000 hours with a 3 year warranty. Shine lights are rated for up to 100,000 hours with a lifetime parts warranty and 5 years of labor.
What is the hardest part of installing permanent lights yourself?
Working high on a ladder for a full weekend or more, making set-length strips fit your roofline, and keeping adhesive mounts in place through sun, wind and snow.
More guides
See all guides
What permanent lighting costs in Colorado
Permanent lights vs. paying for holiday lights every year
How much permanent lights cost to run
Permanent lights and Colorado weather
How to choose permanent lighting
How to get HOA approval
See what a pro install costs for your home
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