Imagine this: You hire a firm to put up your lights, and you dream of candy-cane paths and sparkling eaves. Instead, you get a bill that looks like a phone number, twisted wiring, and blown fuses. Let’s not worry about it. Before any ladders touch your gutters, here’s holiday lighting companies what you need to know.

First and foremost, don’t hire the first company that comes up on Google. That rating of five stars? Aunt Carol and her book club sometimes pretend to be happy customers. Talk to the company on the phone. Listen for replies that are rushed, promises that aren’t clear, or worse, no clear answers at all. Anyone who is vague about insurance claims or licenses? Warning sign.

Let’s talk about experience now. When you’re the one paying for the lights that fall from the roof, it’s not so funny. A lot of photographs, please. Not just pretty stock photos, but real jobs and real houses. If your neighbor’s Chihuahua or garage door makes it into the picture, that’s even better.

Look closely at their warranty policy. What if a light bulb goes out or a strand stops working when Uncle Joe comes over? Companies that you can trust fix things quickly and don’t charge you extra for every blown bulb. Don’t be afraid. Find out how quickly they fix broken lights. If they stop and say “umm,” you know what to do.

And the prices! Holiday lights are known for having crazy extras. A quote isn’t a quote if it doesn’t have a lot of details. How much does it cost to take down? Will they keep the lights for you, or will you have to put them in the attic? Are there any extra costs for longer or two-story peaks?

It might not sound fun, but safety is very important. Don’t let someone walk up to your roof with a ladder that doesn’t have a foot. Make sure their personnel is trained and has insurance. If they hire sub-contractors, ask who is coming and how the company checks them out. You want someone who can tell the difference between a socket and a step ladder.

Are you buying plastic-stringed agony from the local cheap bin, or does the company employ commercial-grade products? Good outfits let you see and touch what’s going on in your home before anything goes up. If you think they’re hesitant to exhibit their stuff, that’s your cue.

Timing is really important. Speed demons sound good, but it takes time to make something good. Find out how far in advance you need to book. Last-minute tasks don’t usually turn out as well.

Last but not least, trust your gut. If anything seems as strange as putting tinsel on a cactus, take a step back. Holiday lights should make your life better, not more stressful.

Follow these ideas and trust your gut, and your house will shine for all the right reasons.