When you gaze out the window with a cup of coffee in your hand, you can see the neighbor’s house shining like a festival. Who finally put up their EverLights holiday light installation? Now you’re probably wondering how long it truly takes for pros to put up decorations in a house.

There isn’t one answer that works for everyone. Let’s break it down. You can finish setting up swiftly and easily—think rooflines, porch railings, and a few shrubs—faster than you can watch your favorite Christmas movie. Most teams who have done this before can finish small homes in one to three hours. The idea is to finish everything swiftly with two installers and a ladder. There isn’t much conversation, and everyone is working together like elves on a quest.

Now, set bigger targets and add more lights. Mansions that take up a lot of space, big trees, hard-to-reach peaks, or branches that have been wrapped by hand? Sometimes it can take up to half a day or more to install. What if you lit up a giant oak tree in the yard? It could take as long as the rest of your house to finish. You should plan on spending more time on anything that needs bucket trucks, harnesses, or decorations that are really hard to put up.

The weather also has a role. A setup that might move swiftly on a sunny afternoon could move slowly if the wind is severe or the temperature drops to freezing. Safety slows things down, but it also makes sure that everyone gets home safe at the end of the day.

Most of the time, plan on doing simple tasks in the morning or afternoon. Setting up for bigger, pricier events could take crew members hours. If you want a big setup, ask the technician for an approximate idea of how long it will take before your appointment. Communication keeps everything joyful and bright, and there are no surprise light shows at night.