Short answer: put fall decor on a timer, plug it into a protected outdoor outlet, keep connections off the ground and do not overload one cord. For a bigger display, professional event lighting is $10–$15/ft installed. Our minimum service call for existing lights is $95.
Why a little planning helps
Fall decorating tends to be a pile of plug-in items: orange string lights, an inflatable, a lit pumpkin, a spotlight on the porch. Each draws a little power, each has its own cord, and all of them end up plugged into the same outlet by the front door. Add a damp evening and some leaves, and you have the setup for tripped breakers and flickering lights.
None of it is hard to do well, if you think about three things: timing, power and water.
Timing
Decor that stays on all night wastes power and annoys neighbours. A plug-in timer or a smart plug turns it on at dusk and off at bedtime. A photocell timer follows the season, so you do not have to reset it as the evenings get darker. For a longer display, an astronomical timer follows sunset by date.
Power
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is the outlet outdoor-rated and GFCI-protected? | Protects against shock in wet weather |
| Is it covered? | A weatherproof cover keeps rain off the plug |
| What else is on the circuit? | A garage freezer or a pump should not share it with a big display |
| Are the cords rated for outdoor use? | Indoor cords break down outside |
| Is the load within the limits on the label? | Overloading a cord overheats it |
A safe setup, step by step
- Count what you are plugging in and check the labels for limits.
- Use outdoor-rated cords and keep them short.
- Plug into a GFCI outlet with a weatherproof cover.
- Raise plug connections off the ground, out of puddles and sprinkler spray.
- Put everything on a timer.
- Do not run cords through doors or windows that must close tight.
- Check it at night, and look for flicker, warm plugs or tripped breakers.
Sprinklers and decorations
If your sprinklers run in the early morning, check where the spray lands. A plug or a cord in the path of a head will get soaked every day. Move the decoration, or adjust the head. We handle both sprinklers and lights, so the two do not fight each other. See our holiday lighting page.
When a one-time event calls for more
A fall wedding, a school fundraiser or a big Halloween yard can need a lot more light than a few plug-ins. Professional event lighting is installed clean, with takedown, and priced at $10–$15/ft installed. For returning clients, we reinstall your stored lighting each season, from $350–$1,500 depending on the display.
Using what you already have
If you have landscape lighting, it already gives you pathways and tree uplighting. A well-lit yard needs fewer decorations to look good. A dim or dead run is easy to fix before the season. Our minimum service call is $95, and landscape lighting fixtures start from $195 each.
Taking it all down
Fall decor often stays up longer than planned, then comes down in a rush. Unplug everything at the outlet before you pull cords, and check each cord for cracked insulation before you store it. Coil cords loosely, keep them dry and label what goes where. A little care means the same strings work next year. For a larger display, our crew handles takedown, and for returning clients we reinstall your stored lighting each season. See our holiday lighting page.
When to call us
Call if a breaker keeps tripping, a run of lights flickers, or you want a display installed and taken down for you. We answer day and night, offer same-day service and are family-owned, licensed and insured. See our lighting page.
FAQ
How do I put Halloween lights on a timer? Use an outdoor-rated plug-in timer, or a smart plug, on a protected outlet.
Can I plug all my decorations into one outlet? Check the load limits on the labels. If breakers trip, spread the load or ask a pro.
Is it safe to leave lights on in the rain? Outdoor-rated cords on a covered GFCI outlet are designed for it. Keep plugs off wet ground.
How much does event lighting cost? Holiday and event lighting is $10–$15/ft installed.
Prices from our price list. Updated October 2026.