and nostalgia of Christmas lights, without the hassle. The quality is sure to be better as well. “A professional has the benefit of practice where as a home or business owner normally has only one opportunity a year to decorate,” says Stephens. Christmas Decor designers, like those at Neave Décor in Wappingers Falls, NY—a division of Neave Group Outdoor Solutions—have extensive training and experience, allowing them to know what techniques, products, and lighting effects will be best suited for the customer’s property. Better organization, a cleaner, more professional look, and proper care of your property are all benefits you can expect from hiring a top-notch decorating service. But with so many holiday lighting companies popping up across the area today, how do you know how to which one to hire? “You don’t necessarily want someone who is the cheapest,” explains Stephens. “You are paying for convenience, results, and customer service. When a maintenance issue arises, you want a company who charged enough to justify visiting the property again.” Neave Décor—a division of Neave Group Outdoor
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Solutions—has been a Christmas Décor licensed franchise since 2000 and currently decorates more than 125 homes and businesses across New York and Connecticut. “We use high quality products that are tested and purchased strictly for Christmas Décor franchises on our behalf,” says Kathleen Neave, division manager for Neave Decor. “The products are not only beautiful, they are safe and energy efficient. Our new LED products use less energy and now come in “Sun Warm” white, which is not the old bluish led color that was so offensive when they first came on the market.” While they cost a bit more upfront, the energy savings you will see is well worth the investment. So how much money should you set aside for your beautifully lit home? Stephens says the national average for a residential installation is around $1500. As with most things, however, the sky’s the limit. Many installations around the country reach high into the tens of thousands of dollars each season. “It really all depends on the individual property and the desires of the client,” explains Stephens.