A professional smart lighting installation takes one day for most homes. The process: free design and quote (remote), scheduling, installation day (mounting channel, installing LEDs, running wiring, connecting controller), app setup, and walkthrough. You don't need to be home for most of the installation, but we recommend being there for the final walkthrough.
Step 1: Free design and quote (remote)
Send us your address. We pull satellite imagery and measure your roofline remotely — no in-person visit required for the estimate. We design a layout showing exactly where the channel, nodes, and controller will go, and send you a firm, all-inclusive price.
The quote covers everything: hardware, labor, controller, app setup, and cleanup. No surprise add-ons.
Step 2: Scheduling
Once you approve the quote, we schedule your installation. Most installs are booked 1–3 weeks out. We'll confirm the date and let you know if we need anything from you (like garage access for the controller).
Step 3: Installation day — channel mounting
Our crew arrives with all hardware pre-cut to your roofline measurements. The aluminum channel mounts along your roofline using screws driven into the fascia board — the same method used for gutters. Permanent, secure, weatherproof. Color-matched to your trim.
A typical single-story ranch takes about 2–3 hours for channel mounting. Two-story homes take longer due to lift work.
See what permanent lighting looks like on your home
Free custom design. One firm price. No pressure.
Step 4: LED node installation and wiring
The LED node strands slide into the mounted channel. Each node is spaced precisely for even light distribution. Strands connect with sealed weatherproof connectors. We test each section as we go.
Wiring runs from the LED nodes to the controller, typically mounted in your garage. The controller connects to a hardwired transformer and to your home Wi-Fi.
Step 5: App setup and walkthrough
We walk you through the Haven app on your phone: how to change colors and patterns, how to create and save scenes, how to set up calendar scheduling, how to add your teams for Game Day, and how to share access with family members.
We don't leave until you're comfortable with everything. Most people are creating custom scenes on their own within 5 minutes.
Timeline by home type
| Home type | Total install time |
|---|---|
| Single-story ranch (100–150 ft roofline) | 4–6 hours |
| Two-story standard (150–220 ft) | 6–8 hours |
| Large or multi-peak (220–300 ft) | 8–10 hours |
| Very large / commercial | 1–2 days |
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend being available for the walkthrough at the end (about 20 minutes). For the installation itself, we just need roofline and garage access.
No. We mount to the fascia board, not the roof surface or shingles. Screw holes are hidden by the channel and gutter line.
We reschedule to the next available dry day.
Clear any items stored along your roofline or fascia area, ensure garage access for controller mounting, and have your Wi-Fi password handy.
Written by Trey, Owner — Heartland Holiday Lights
Trey is a Council Bluffs local and hands-on installer who designs and installs every permanent smart-lighting system Heartland Holiday Lights puts on homes across Western Iowa and the Omaha metro. When he writes about rooflines, channel, and controllers, it's because he's on the roof doing the work.
See what permanent lighting looks like on your home
Free custom design. One firm price. No pressure.