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- 30 ft Scissor LiftHigher ceilings, siding, warehouse workFrom $215/dayBook the 30 ft Scissor Lift
- 19 ft Scissor LiftIndoor ceilings, lighting, drywallFrom $150/dayBook the 19 ft Scissor Lift
Free pickup in Pierce County; exact location sent after booking. Delivery is $200 each way; your job-site address is checked at checkout.
Holiday jobs that fit a scissor lift
Most holiday installs are a long run of short tasks. A scissor lift raises a railed platform straight up, so both hands stay free and the lights and clips ride with you. Lower, roll to the next spot and keep going. It works best on firm, level pavement or slab right under the work. Jobs that fit:
- Storefront and facade lights: Light strands, garland and wreaths along a storefront, canopy or facade, with the lift on paved sidewalk or parking lot. 30 ft scissor lift
- Warehouse and showroom displays: Hanging lights, banners and seasonal signs from high ceilings and structure in a warehouse, shop or showroom. Slab and aisle checks are in the warehouse lift guide. 30 ft scissor lift
- Church, gym and event hall decorations: Garland, lights, drapes and banners in a sanctuary, gym or event hall with a firm, level floor. 19 ft scissor lift
- Lobby and atrium trees: Topping and lighting a tall tree, and hanging ornaments or banners in a lobby or atrium. 19 ft scissor lift
- Parking lot trees and light poles: Wrapping lights on trees and poles in a paved lot, with the area around the lift closed off. 30 ft scissor lift
- Takedown after the season: Taking it all down in January, often on a weekend when the building is closed. 30 ft scissor lift
Hanging new fixtures rather than seasonal strands? See the ceiling and lighting guide.
When a ladder or a pro is the better call
A lift is not always the right tool. Be honest about the site before you book:
- Lawns, beds, gravel and slopes: a scissor lift needs firm, level ground. Washington’s WAC 296-869-60010 lists slopes, holes, drop-offs and a surface that can’t support the lift among the hazards to check. Soggy winter lawns and landscaped strips along a house usually rule it out.
- Rooflines over landscaping: the lift goes straight up, so it can’t reach out over a planting bed or up a sloped roof. WAC 296-869-60040 says not to use guardrails, planks, ladders or anything else to gain height or reach, so you can’t stretch from the platform to make it work.
- A single-story eave: for a short run on one story, a ladder is often simpler and cheaper. OSHA’s portable ladder QuickCard (PDF) says to use a ladder only on a stable and level surface unless it’s secured, inspect it before use, keep 3-point contact while climbing, and avoid metal ladders near power lines.
- New outlets or permanent lighting: adding a circuit or outlet for a display is electrical work. L&I’s electrical permit basics page explains when electrical work needs a permit. For permanent wiring, or a big display you don’t want to run yourself, hire an electrician or a holiday lighting installer.
19 ft or 30 ft?
The 30 ft scissor lift is listed for firm, level surfaces and higher work: high ceilings, warehouses, shops, gutters and siding, exterior painting and event setup. Storefronts, facades and high-ceiling displays usually start here.
The 19 ft scissor lift is listed for indoor work on firm, level surfaces. Sanctuaries, gyms, lobbies and event halls with a solid floor are a good match.
Measure from the ground or floor to the highest point you need to clip a strand or hang a banner. Then measure the narrowest door the lift has to pass through to get inside. Specs are available on request, so call or email us with both numbers before you book. Side-by-side rates: 19 ft vs 30 ft scissor lift guide.
Plan the hang
- Walk the site: WAC 296-869-60010 has the operator survey the area before and during use, including overhead obstructions, high voltage conductors, wind and weather, and unauthorized people in the area. Look up for awnings, signs, branches and wires.
- Weather: OSHA’s scissor lift Hazard Alert (PDF) says to use a scissor lift outside only when weather conditions are good.
- People and cars: on a sidewalk or in a parking lot, the Hazard Alert says to isolate the lift or use traffic control. WAC 296-869-60020 lists warnings such as flags, roped-off areas, flashing lights and barricades when other vehicles are present.
- Don’t lean on the building: WAC 296-869-60020 also prohibits positioning the lift against another object to steady it.
- Cords and strands: WAC 296-869-60035 says to keep rope, electric cords, hoses and similar objects from getting tangled with the platform.
Power lines, cords and lights
- Power lines: OSHA’s Hazard Alert says to choose work locations at least 10 feet from power lines and transformers, because electricity can arc to the lift or the worker without contact. OSHA’s scissor lift eTool covers the same hazard.
- Outdoor-rated gear: ESFI’s outdoor electrical safety booklet (PDF) says to check that a product was intended for outdoor use, use only extension cords marked “For Outdoor Use,” and make sure a recognized testing laboratory certifies the product.
- GFCI protection: the same booklet covers ground fault circuit interrupters for outdoor outlets, including portable GFCIs where outlets don’t have them.
- Don’t overload: the ESFI booklet says to limit power use on each branch circuit, and Pierce County’s fire inspection FAQ lists overloaded circuits among the fire hazards inspectors look for.
- Check the strands: Pierce County’s Holiday Fire Safety page says never use lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or bulbs, notes that some lights are made only for indoor or outdoor use, and says to unplug decorations before leaving or going to sleep. Test every strand on the ground first.
Summaries for planning only; follow the official text on each linked page.
Decorations in churches, gyms and event halls
Places of religious worship, gymnasiums and community halls are examples of assembly occupancies under WAC 51-50-0303, so fire safety gets extra attention. Things to check before you decorate:
- Flame resistance: Pierce County’s Fire Prevention Bureau special events handout (PDF), for events that need a fire inspection, says all decorative materials must be flame resistant or treated with a flame retardant per NFPA 701. The county’s holiday page also says to use nonflammable or flame-retardant decorations and keep them away from heat.
- Exits and aisles: the handout says exits, aisles, fire alarm pull stations and exit signs stay free of obstructions. The Washington State Patrol’s Fire Watch newsletter, November 2024 (PDF), says State Fire Marshal inspectors have seen trees placed in the means of egress or blocking exit doors, and that trees should be anchored so they don’t tip.
- Extension cords: the handout says cords can’t be attached to structures by unapproved means or run under doors or across walkways. The county’s fire inspection FAQ also lists extension cords used in place of permanent wiring as a hazard.
- Real trees: WAC 51-54A-0806 prohibits natural cut trees in some occupancies, such as Group I, and requires a stand that holds the tree securely with water checked at least once daily.
- Inside a city: the county pages cover unincorporated Pierce County. Cities run their own fire programs, so check with the city’s fire department or fire marshal.
Summaries for planning only; follow the official text on each linked page.
Washington lift rules
Washington L&I’s Chapter 296-869 WAC, Elevating work platforms covers scissor lifts. In short:
- WAC 296-869-50005: employers must permit only trained and authorized personnel to operate them.
- WAC 296-869-60035: before each raise, the lift is on a surface within the manufacturer’s limits, guardrails are in place and gates closed, the load is within the manufacturer’s rating, and there is clearance overhead.
- WAC 296-869-60040: keep a firm footing, and don’t use guardrails, planks, ladders or anything else to gain height or reach. Guardrails are the primary fall protection on scissor lifts.
- WAC 296-869-60045: if the operator suspects a malfunction or a hazard, stop, report it and don’t use the lift until it’s fixed.
Operator not included. You or your trained crew run the equipment.
Summaries for planning only; follow the linked official text.
Day, weekend or week?
30 ft lift: $215 a day, so 2 days is $430 and 3 days is $645. The week rate is $650, less than 4 days at the day rate. The weekend rate is $290 (Friday 9 AM pickup to Monday 3 PM return), less than 2 days.
19 ft lift: $150 a day, so 2 days is $300 and 3 days is $450. The week rate is $400, less than 3 days at the day rate. The weekend rate is $210 (Friday 9 AM pickup to Monday 3 PM return), less than 2 days.
A weekend rate fits a store or church that decorates while closed. For several buildings, the 4-week rate is $1,250 for the 30 ft lift and $750 for the 19 ft lift.
Prices are before WA sales tax and the 1.25% heavy equipment rental tax where it applies. Your exact total shows at checkout.
Questions
Can I use a scissor lift to hang Christmas lights on my house?
Only if the lift can sit on firm, level pavement or slab right under the work. A scissor lift goes straight up, so it doesn't reach over lawns, beds or a sloped roof. For a single-story roofline, a ladder set on a stable, level surface is often the simpler choice.
Which lift do I need for a storefront or high ceiling?
Measure from the ground or floor to the highest point you need to work at. The 30 ft lift is listed for firm, level surfaces and higher work, including high ceilings, warehouses and event setup; the 19 ft lift is listed for indoor work on firm, level surfaces. Specs are available on request, so send us that number before you book.
Can I use the lift outside in winter weather?
OSHA's scissor lift Hazard Alert says to use a scissor lift outside only when weather conditions are good, and WAC 296-869-60010 lists wind and weather among the hazards to check before and during use. Plan outdoor hangs around the forecast.
How close can I work to power lines?
OSHA's Hazard Alert says to pick work locations at least 10 feet from power lines and transformers, because electricity can arc to the lift or worker without contact. If lines run close to the building, plan the display somewhere else.
Are there fire rules for decorations in churches, gyms and event halls?
Yes. For events that need a fire inspection, Pierce County's special events handout says decorative materials must be flame resistant or treated per NFPA 701, and exits and aisles stay clear. Inside a city, check with that city's fire department.
Do you deliver scissor lifts for holiday installs?
Yes. Delivery is $200 each way; your job-site address is checked at checkout. Free pickup in Pierce County; exact location sent after booking.
How much does it cost to rent a scissor lift for holiday lights?
The 19 ft lift is $150 a day, $210 a weekend, $400 a week or $750 for 4 weeks. The 30 ft lift is $215 a day, $290 a weekend, $650 a week or $1,250 for 4 weeks, before tax. Your exact total shows at checkout.
More guides: all rental guides.