Honest comparison
Kit, installed by us, or a national brand?
The hardware in our kit is the hardware our crew installs. The only variables are who climbs the ladder and how far you are from London, Ontario.
| Illumi DIY kit | Illumi installed | National installer | Strip kit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per foot | $12.60–25 | $20–33 | $25–40 | $2–4 |
| 100 ft example | $1,729.20 | $2,129.20–$2,555.04 | $2,500–4,000 | $200–400 |
| Hardware | 12V RGBW pucks in aluminum track | Identical | Pro track and pucks | Adhesive LED strip |
| Who installs | You, in a weekend | Illumi crew, one day | Contractor crew | You, an afternoon |
| Measurement | You measure, we check by email | Free on-site | On-site | None |
| Daytime look | Track flush in soffit | Track flush in soffit | Track flush in soffit | Visible strip |
| White quality | Dedicated warm white diode | Dedicated warm white diode | Varies by brand | Mixed RGB |
| App | WLED, open, offline scenes | WLED, set up for you | Proprietary | Brand cloud app |
| Warranty | 5 yr parts | 5 yr parts + workmanship | 3–5 yr, service contract | 1–2 yr |
| Repairs | Swap a strand yourself | We come back | Call the installer | Replace the strip |
| Available | Anywhere in Canada | Southwestern Ontario | Franchise territories | Anywhere |
National installer and strip kit figures are typical Canadian ranges, not quotes from any named company. Illumi figures are list prices; installed prices depend on storeys, corners and access.
By kit size
Kit price against our installed range.
| Length | DIY kit | Installed by Illumi | Doing it yourself saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | $1,265.00 | $1,665.00 – $1,998.00 | $400+ |
| 75 ft | $1,485.00 | $1,785.00 – $2,142.00 | $300+ |
| 100 ft | $1,729.20 | $2,129.20 – $2,555.04 | $400+ |
| 150 ft | $2,240.70 | $2,840.70 – $3,408.84 | $600+ |
| 200 ft | $2,648.80 | $3,448.80 – $4,138.56 | $800+ |
| 250 ft | $3,157.00 | $4,157.00 – $4,988.40 | $1,000+ |
Why not the cheap strip?
Adhesive lets go. Screws do not.
Strip kits are cheap because they skip the track. In an Ontario freeze-thaw cycle the adhesive fails, the strip sags and the wire shows all summer. A screwed aluminum channel, painted to your soffit, is what every professional system uses, and it is what ships in an Illumi kit.
Permanent vs seasonal lights