Hire a professional to decorate the exterior of your home

Almost everyone can agree that it's easy to get into the holiday spirit, especially when you pass by a home festively festooned with sparkling lights, colorful decor and eye-catching props peppered across the porch, lawn or roof.

However, the truth is that Yuletide exterior decorating done right can be downright difficult. If it could talk, that twinkling evergreen tree you admire would tell of many tweaked backs; those striking blue LEDs dangling from the neighbor's eaves could warn you about the frayed cord waiting to deliver a shock; and that sleigh-and-reindeer set atop the garage across the street would share a cautionary tale about their owner nearly slipping off the roof.

Consequently, it's no surprise many homeowners prevent problems and hire professionals to do the decorating dirty work outdoors.

Count Mike and Lucy Peak, Laguna Hills, California, among the converted. Instead of hauling out the ladder, lights and extension cords, they enlist the expertise of For All Seasons, a nearby holiday decorating service.

"They hang icicle lights from the rooflines, wrap our two large trees in white mini lights, install garland around the front and garage gates and front door, hang lights across our fence and place small trees covered in mini lights by the front door. Plus, we have a lighted Santa and reindeer on the front lawn and a snow scene with white trees, reindeer and elves on the other side of the front lawn," says Lucy Peak. "We always draw a crowd in the neighborhood to see our display."

Missy Henriksen, vice president of public affairs for the National Association of Landscape Professionals, says Santa and Rudolph belong on the roof - inexperienced novices don't.

"Most everyone knows someone who has fallen from a rickety ladder while hanging lights, slipped off a roof, or exceeded their electrical experience trying to install extra power sources," Henriksen says. "Professionals offer the know-how that can turn homeowners' visions into reality - creating magical, festive displays that enhance a home's appearance for the holidays."

Still insist on being a decorating do-it-yourselfer? Here are eight compelling reasons to reconsider:

1. Safety: Every time you have to climb up to attach lights and props, string cords together and plug them in, and deal with cold, icy weather, you're risking injury. "Professionals also have the right experience, tools and equipment to make sure everything is installed safely," Henriksen says.

2. Convenience: "People don't like untangling lights, blowing dust off garland and messing with nonworking lights. All those hassles are eliminated when you hire a pro," says Brandon Stephens, president of Christmas Decor, a holiday decorating service provider based in Irving, Texas. Additionally, Jamee Fouts, owner of The Grounds Guys, a New Lenox-based exterior maintenance company, says, "you don't have to purchase, store and maintain the lighting."

3. Time savings: Experts can typically adorn your exterior in a fraction of the time it would take you. "A professional will be able to know which electrical circuits can handle the amount of lights you want to install, how many lights are needed to light up your property, how to place items to stay up in extreme weather, and how to size things properly," which are all tasks that, in the hands of an inexperienced homeowner, can require trial, error and extra time, says Isabelle Kaminsky, owner of For All Seasons in Lake Forest, California.

4. Finer design: "Professional decorators know what types of lights to use - incandescent, LED, clear, multicolored, mini, etc. - and have a good sense of what will look good on a particular home or building," Kaminsky says.

5. A better-equipped display: "Many professional decorators will not install lights you own, as most require the installation of products they provide so they can have confidence in the quality and safety of the materials used," Henriksen says. The result is a better-looking display. Also, many services offer high-tech options like animated lights and programmed controllers to create amazing synchronized light-and-music shows right on your front lawn.

6. A built-in backup plan: "Using a service-based company gives you a resource to handle the issue if your lights go out once installed - you don't have to try to repair the issue yourself," Fouts says.

7. Round trip peace of mind: Skilled installers don't just put up - they take down in a timely manner, too, saving you the aggravation and preventing you from procrastinating this dreaded chore.

8. Household harmony: Spouses and kids can disagree on how to best deck the halls outdoors; entrusting an outside expert with this responsibility can relieve families of the pressure. "I've heard many stories from clients that holiday decorating can often lead to family fights," says Carole Aine Langrall, owner of A Garden of Earthly Delights, a Baltimore company that handles holiday floral decorating duties.

Prices for professional exterior decorating start at a few hundred dollars, while the national average cost for a typical-sized home featuring ample holiday lighting is between $1,200 and $1,500, according to Fouts.

"One client, who owns a large estate home and had us put three custom Santas in golfing poses on his rooftop, spends up to $40,000 each year for his seasonal decorating," Fouts says.

Holiday decorating pros in your area can be found via word-of-mouth from friends and relatives, Yellow Pages, the local newspaper, searching the internet and using the Find a Professional locator at LoveYourLandscape.org.

Henriksen recommends getting bids from multiple companies and vetting each carefully; ask what type of lighting will be used, what happens if equipment is damaged or stops working, if they have proper insurance (including workers' compensation and liability insurance), and if they can provide references to satisfied homeowners you can contact.