Question 1

What exactly does "full-service" decorating include?

Accepted Answer

Clients want to know the scope. A standard full-service package typically includes a design consultation, sourcing and purchasing materials, professional installation, and post-holiday takedown and packing.

Question 2

Do I use my own decorations or do you provide them?

Accepted Answer

Design/Rental: The decorator provides high-quality, commercial-grade greenery and ornaments (often as a lease/service package).
Custom Styling: The decorator uses the client’s existing family heirlooms and supplements them with professional "filler" (ribbons, picks, and stems) to achieve a high-end look.

Question 3

How far in advance do I need to book?

Accepted Answer

Because the decorating window is so small (roughly November 1st to December 10th), calendars fill up fast. Many professional firms start their purchasing in January and have their schedules fully booked by mid-October.

Question 4

Is the process affordable, and how do you charge?

Accepted Answer

Pricing structures vary:
Hourly: Common for smaller "styling-only" jobs ($50–$150/hour).
Flat Fee: Common for full-room or full-home designs ($250 to $1,500+ depending on tree size and complexity).  
All-Inclusive: A single price that covers everything from the lights to the labor and storage.

Question 5

Can I still decorate a "family tree" if I hire you?

Accepted Answer

Many clients worry that hiring a pro means losing their family traditions. A common compromise is having the professional handle the "public" spaces (entryway, formal living room, staircase) while the family decorates a secondary tree in the den or playroom.

Question 6

What is involved in the takedown and storage process?

Accepted Answer

Clients often dread the "un-decorating." Professionals usually bring their own wrapping supplies and storage containers. They label everything systematically so that the installation is even faster and more organized the following year.

Question 7

Do you provide a "virtual preview" or sketches?

Accepted Answer

With modern design tools, many decorators now offer 3D or AI-powered mockups so clients can visualize the color palette and tree placement in their specific room before a single ornament is hung.

Question 8

Will I need to hire an electrician?

Accepted Answer

For standard indoor tree and mantel decorating, household outlets are usually sufficient. However, for massive displays or extensive exterior lighting, a decorator might recommend a licensed electrician to ensure the circuits aren't overloaded.

Question 9

What is the difference between "Pro-Grade" and retail lights?

Accepted Answer

Professional decorators often use LED commercial-grade lights which are brighter, stay cool to the touch, and have a significantly longer lifespan (25,000–75,000 hours) compared to boxed lights from big-box retailers.

Question 10

Do you have insurance?

Accepted Answer

This is a critical "business-side" question. Residential clients want to ensure the decorator carries liability insurance specifically for holiday decorating to cover any potential property damage or injury during the installation process.

Frequent Asked Questions