How to compare Gemstone, Trimlight and JellyFish Lighting quotes
Short answer
Ask all three installers to quote the same marked-up roofline, identify the exact system and controls, and document included installation, electrical work, exclusions and service. Compare product warranties and dealer labour terms separately. No single brand name, per-foot rate or 'lifetime' label establishes the best value for your home.
Gemstone Lighting, Trimlight and JellyFish Lighting all offer permanent lighting suited to Christmas and other occasions. Each publishes product and control information that can help you shortlist an option. The useful next step is to compare actual proposals for your home, not repeat a competitor's marketing verdict.
What's Normal? publishes this comparison and never takes referral payments. This is not a hands-on product test or a best-brand ranking. Manufacturer pages support the product context below; your quoted version, local dealer, country-specific terms and installation scope determine what you are actually buying.
1. Give every bidder the same roofline
Use a marked-up photo to identify front eaves, gables, garage, returns and any side or rear runs. Request the measured footage and spacing used in each proposal. Gemstone describes custom measurement and track selection; JellyFish publishes spacing options for its product. Different measured coverage or spacing should be explained before totals are compared.
- Which sections are lit and where gaps remain.
- Exact system or product version and light spacing.
- Track/channel profile, finish and attachment location.
- Installed total in the same currency, with taxes and excluded work identified.
If you like one system's daytime appearance, arrange to view the quoted profile or a relevant installed example. Manufacturer photos can show a finish or layout that differs from the proposal for your home.
2. Compare the controls you will actually use
| Brand's published context | Useful demonstration | Verify in the quote |
|---|---|---|
| Gemstone: Hub2 app/controller information | Everyday colours, schedules and operation with changed connectivity. | Controller and app version, included setup and relevant network requirements. |
| Trimlight: permanent-lighting and Edge control information | Patterns, schedules and any smart-home integration you want. | Exact control version and compatibility, not just the brand name. |
| JellyFish: Jelly Lights and holiday-lighting information | White settings, display control and operation with or without home Wi-Fi. | Quoted product, controls and features demonstrated for that version. |
These are reasons to ask for a demonstration, not claims that one app is easier or more reliable. Confirm any ongoing fees, account requirements, handover procedure and support arrangements. If a feature is essential, have it identified in the proposal rather than relying on a generic website description.
3. Normalize the installation package
Ask each dealer to identify the lights, track, controller, power supplies, cables and connectors included, plus where the equipment goes. Confirm safe access, mounting, cable routing, connection work, testing, setup and cleanup. A hardware package and a complete installed job are different offers.
- Who checks and arranges local electrical or permit requirements, where applicable.
- Whether an existing power source can be used and who prices additional electrical work.
- Installation schedule, site access, exclusions and written approval of scope changes.
- Responsibility for installation damage and later removal or relocation during roof, gutter or siding work.
Ask about the installer's insurance, relevant local qualifications and service contact, not just the product manufacturer. In both the US and Canada, local requirements and the dealer's agreement matter; a manufacturer claim does not replace a property-specific assessment.
4. Read warranty definitions, not headline years
Gemstone and Trimlight publish warranty information with conditions and definitions for their coverage. Gemstone's FAQ distinguishes product coverage from dealer labour. Trimlight's warranty page also discusses dealer labour coverage. Read the applicable documents side by side: parts, labour, registration, exclusions, transfer and service charges are separate questions.
Ask for the current written JellyFish warranty
Official JellyFish pages reviewed for this article showed different parts-warranty durations. We therefore do not quote one universal duration. Request the current document for the exact system, country and installer; apply the same document-first approach to every brand.
For each proposal, ask who diagnoses a fault, supplies a qualifying replacement and installs it, and whether travel or labour can be billed. A term described as 'lifetime' should be read using its written definition, not treated as an unconditional promise of free operation for as long as you own the house.
5. Make the final decision from comparable promises
Send the same request to each installer
- 1.“Please quote the marked roofline and identify the measured footage, spacing and exact system.”
- 2.“Please list included components, electrical work, setup, testing and installation exclusions.”
- 3.“Please demonstrate the quoted controls and confirm any required accounts, connectivity or ongoing fees.”
- 4.“Please attach the applicable product warranty and dealer labour/service terms, including potential visit charges.”
Once coverage and installation match, decide which documented controls, appearance, service arrangements and total suit you. Any of these brands may be a sensible choice with a clear proposal and suitable local support. A cheaper incomplete quote is not proof of a better system, and a higher total is not proof of overcharging.
The one thing to remember
Compare the dealer's promises as carefully as the product
A good shortlist becomes a fair comparison only when measured scope, controls, installed work and service terms are written down on the same basis.
Want a second set of eyes on it?
Upload a photo or PDF of the bill or quote, or paste the text. You'll get a plain-English assessment of whether the price looks normal, what stands out, and what to ask next.
Common questions
Which is cheapest: Gemstone, Trimlight or JellyFish?
This guide does not establish a national cheapest brand. Compare local written proposals for the same footage, spacing, system scope, installation and service, in the same currency.
Is a lifetime warranty automatically better?
No. Compare the written definition, covered components, registration and exclusions alongside labour and service charges. A headline term alone does not describe your future costs.
Does this comparison recommend one brand?
No. It is a neutral quote worksheet, not a hands-on product test. What's Normal? never takes referral payments. Your home's scope, the quoted version and local dealer terms should guide the decision.
Keep reading
Gemstone Lighting quote checklist: what to ask before signing
Check the measured plan, installed package and warranty handoff before signing.
What determines permanent Christmas lights installation cost?
Find what the measured roofline price includes, and what could be extra.
Permanent Christmas lights vs seasonal installation: how to compare costs
Compare ownership and ongoing service, not just the first year's total.
Sources
- Gemstone Lights: Hub2 — Published app/controller features; verify the quoted version.
- Gemstone Lights: Warranty — Product-specific warranty definitions and conditions.
- Gemstone Lights: Warranty FAQ — Manufacturer versus dealer labour/service coverage.
- Trimlight: Permanent Christmas lights — Manufacturer channel and control information; confirm version and compatibility.
- Trimlight: Product warranty — Warranty definitions, conditions and dealer labour coverage.
- JellyFish Lighting: Jelly Lights — Published product, spacing and control information.
- JellyFish Lighting: Holiday lighting — Holiday controls and warranty language; confirm current applicable written terms.
- JellyFish Lighting: Brand comparison — Different stated parts-warranty duration from the holiday page; not used for competitor judgments.
Last reviewed October 2026. This article explains how prices and bills are structured in general terms, and is not a price guarantee, because what's reasonable depends on your location, scope and market. Educational information only — not professional, legal or financial advice. See our disclaimer and browse the full cost guide library.