How Much Does a Smart Home Cost?
Highlights
Professional installers provide expertise in complex home automation systems, ensuring compatibility and correct setup.
The average cost of home automation varies, with DIY systems installation costing around $100 to $300, and professional services like Elan starting at $10,000.
The cost of a smart home project is impacted by the type of automation, brand preference, installation method, and the home's existing wiring.
Popular smart home automation materials include hardwired protocols, wireless protocols, and hybrid protocols.
Smart home automation offers benefits like enhanced security, entertainment, and home comfort, with customizable packages to suit individual needs.
Highlights were summarized from this existing cost guide text using automation technology and were thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
The cost of a smart home is $0 on average. You’ll most likely spend between $0 and $0, but some reports include installations of $3,000. To fully automate an average four-bedroom, three-bathroom home, you might spend up to $15,000, while luxury, fully connected homes run around $10,000 to $150,000. Labor to install wired systems costs about $85 per hour.
Home automation includes lights, security, locks, thermostats, and entertainment systems. Each year, the ability to integrate your home’s needs becomes easier and more affordable. Smart home companies offer three distinct varieties of home integration services:
| Smart Home Type | Average Cost Range | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|
| DIY tech | $100 – $3,000 one-time purchase | Google Nest; Ring; Amazon Alexa and Blink; SimpliSafe |
| Subscription-based | $500 – $1,500 per year | ADT; Vivint |
| Custom installs and systems | $2,000 – $150,000 total | Savant; Elan |
Smart Home Package Prices
Most companies offer smart home automations in packages to suit your needs, which come in three general categories: security, entertainment, and home comfort. Most brands work well with each other, and some even offer packages using different brands, such as Alexa integration.
Some companies, like ADT and Vivint, offer packages on a subscription basis for monitoring. You’ll usually purchase the equipment upfront or separately. More often, you’ll buy and install wireless equipment yourself. You can hire an installer for around $100 to $300 to install DIY systems, while some services—like Elan—start at about $10,000 and require professional installation.
Home Wiring
The home automation protocol refers to whether the smart home system operates wirelessly, requires hardwiring, or features both hardwired and wireless operations. The base protocol you choose when setting up your smart home is an important consideration because every device or appliance you add to the system must be compatible with the protocol.
Protocols aren’t interchangeable, so every device needs to function on the same system to talk to other devices and be a functioning part of your home automation system. If you're unsure of the best protocol, talk to your installer before making any purchases.
Hardwired
Hardwired protocols are the oldest type of smart home communication, but they're the most reliable. The two most common are X-10 and UPB, both of which use your home's existing wiring to create a hardwired home network connecting all of your smart devices.
You must manually connect each device to the network, so it's more complex than wireless options and there are fewer compatible devices to choose from compared to wireless and hybrid options. However, hardwired protocols remain popular because they're reliable and not prone to interference or signal loss.
Wireless
Wireless protocols let all the devices on the network communicate via radio signals on a bandwidth not used by other wireless devices. The most common and secure is Zigbee Smart Home, followed by Z-Wave. These protocols can support up to 1,500 different devices, so even the most enthusiastic smart homeowner can establish a satisfactory network of devices.
Hybrid
Hybrid smart home protocols are a mix of wired and wireless connections. The benefit of this automation protocol is greater flexibility in the number and types of devices you can connect. Whether a device connects wireless or with a Cat-5 cable, it communicates with the rest of the network.
C-Bus is the preferred protocol since it's compatible with the common X10 wired protocol and works with most brands. Insteon is another common household hybrid protocol compatible with X10, but the Insteon protocol only works with devices made by Insteon so your product choice is limited.
Connected Home Package Pricing by Function
Home automation involves more than learning thermostats and automated lighting. You can add automation to many parts of your home, including the entertainment system, outdoor living space, security features, and more.
| Home Automation Function | Average Cost Range (All-in) | Average Cost (All-in) |
|---|---|---|
| Home entertainment | $30 – $2,000 | $1,020 |
| Security | $700 – $5,000 | $2,850 |
| Thermostat | $800 – $2,000 | $1,400 |
| Lighting | $1,000 – $3,000 | $2,000 |
| Power usage | $1,130 – $3,750 | $2,440 |
| Lawn and garden | $200 – $500 | $350 |
Home Entertainment
Home entertainment automation starts at around $30 for a simple TV or audio connection, while a more elaborate home entertainment system automation can cost as much as $2,000. Automating your home entertainment system lets you control every device from one central hub, often on your smartphone or a single remote control.
Some have programmable functions, shortcuts, and macros that let you quickly get to your favorite streaming service, start up any device, or load up your favorite video game.
Security
Automated home security systems cost $700 to $5,000 on average. While these setups can be as simple as an intruder alarm and a doorbell camera, they can also incorporate whole-home security systems, with smoke, fire, and water sensors, motion and door sensors, cameras, and smart door locks.
Home security automation is where many homeowners spend much of their automation budget, and prices vary significantly. For example, installing a smart door lock costs about $150 to $400, while installing security cameras costs up to $2,500.
Thermostats
Smart thermostats cost between $70 and $280, but fully automated heating and cooling systems cost between $800 and $2,000 to install. This can include smart ceiling fans, air conditioning, and learning thermostats.
Lighting
Fully automated whole-home lighting systems cost between $1,000 and $3,000 with installation. Smart lamps start at about $35, smart light switches cost about $15 to $150, and individual bulbs cost between $10 and $20 each. Once you install a smart lighting system, you can control it via the app on your phone as well as set your lights to operate on a schedule.
Power Usage
Automating your home to optimize power usage costs between $1,130 and $3,750. This is based on the average American home having 75 electrical outlets. Simple plug-in outlets cost between $15 and $40, while hardwired outlets cost around $25 to $50 each, including installation.
Lawn and Garden
Smart garden systems typically cost approximately $200 to $500 and include plant water sensors, smart pots, and automated sprinkler systems.
Smart plant water sensors: $10–$25
Smart plant pots: $80–$100
Cost of smart sprinkler systems: $100–$300
You can also incorporate robot lawn mowers, soil sensors, weather sensors, outdoor lighting, and smart sunshades. These extras can increase garden automation costs to over $2,000.
Other Utilities
You can add many other devices to your home automation setup to create a truly customized system that works for your lifestyle. Common additions include:
Cost of a smart garage door opener: $30–$100
Smart windows: $85–$130 per sq. ft.
Smart doorbell: $60–$200
Cost of smart blinds: $100–$250
Smart vacuum cleaner: $300–$800
Smart grill: $1,000–$1,200
Home Automation Price List
With so many smart devices to choose from, prices can quickly mount, particularly if you're aiming for a whole-home setup. Take a look at some of the most often-included components of a home automation system so you can decide where to spend and where to save.
| Home Automation Component | Average Price Range per Unit (Excluding Installation) |
|---|---|
| Cameras | $35 – $350 |
| Door/window open sensors | $20 – $80 |
| Doorbells | $100 – $350 |
| Locks | $150 – $400 |
| Garage door openers | $30 – $100 |
| Lighting | $20 – $100 |
| Speakers | $30 – $300 |
| Outlets and plugs | $15 – $50 |
| Thermostats | $70 – $280 |
| Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors | $40 – $60 |
| Smart home hubs | $200 – $900 |
| Blinds | $100 – $250 |
| Appliances | $50 – $3,000 |
| Vacuum | $300 – $800 |
| Lawn systems | $100 – $300 |
| Wi-Fi and mesh systems | $200 – $500 |
| Water monitoring | $10 – $25 |
Smart Home Brand Prices
Smart home brand pricing ranges widely from $100 to $10,000 or more. However, affordable smart home integrations continue to expand, with companies continuing to offer expanded products, services, and packages at competitive prices due to competition. Shop around to find something that works for your home and budget.
| Smart Automation Brand | Average Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Google Nest | $30 – $3,000 total | Offers DIY packages, individual components, and monitoring through ADT |
| ADT | $37 – $53 per month for monitoring | Mostly a monitoring service that integrates with other brands’ components; Google is a part-owner |
| Vivint | $30 – $45 per month for monitoring; $600 – $2,500 for components | A security monitoring and installation service that offers in-house components |
| SimpliSafe | $200 – $2,000 initial cost | DIY home security systems; discounted components with monitoring subscription |
| Amazon Echo/Alexa | $20 – $250 for components | Home entertainment products; Alexa integrates with a wide range of home automation and security products |
| Amazon Blink | $35 – $100 for each camera | Home security company of Amazon that sells cameras for DIY installs |
| Frontpoint | $100 – $800 | DIY solution with security, automation, and comfort products and packages |
| Ring | $100 – $800 total package | DIY solution; primarily security offerings but works with other brands |
| Elan | $10,000 – $150,000 complete install | High-end complete home automation packages; requires professional install |
| Savant | $1,600 – $5,000+ complete install | Moderate range complete home automation; requires professional install |
| Crestron | $20,000 – $100,000 | High-end complete home automation; primarily a commercial automation company; requires professional installation |
| Apple | Varies | Apple doesn’t carry any of its own products but has an app operating system for central control |
Google and Nest Home
A Google Home or Nest costs anywhere from $30 to $3,000 or more. You can purchase just a Google Mini or complete security, entertainment, and connected home package. Google offers cameras, hubs, thermostats, alarms, speakers, and streaming devices. Google also owns Nest, which offers slightly different products.
Google recently moved Nest products to its Google Store. As of the start of the 2020 holiday season, you can buy both products in the same place. As part of its recent investment in ADT, ADT will focus on Nest products. Also, Google and Nest products often work together but not always with other systems. So, if you invest in a Nest, expect to stick with one system. Keep an eye on ADT and Nest to see where the products are headed.
ADT
Currently, ADT offers a variety of packages:
Essentials Package: $37 per month
Total Protection Package: $43 per month
Premium Protection Package: $53 per month
ADT Pulse: $53 per month
All three require a 36-month contract and include a monitoring system valued at $850. Installation costs another $100. ADT offers a wide range of upgrade packages and add-on services.
Note: These prices and plans might change. ADT, formerly a security company, offers products from various sources. However, Google recently became part-owner of the company. Plans are underway to make Nest products the cornerstone of ADT's connected home offerings.
Vivint
Vivint pricing subscriptions cost about $30 to $45 per month for monitoring. You’ll have to purchase the products separately. Installation costs another $100 to $200, and component prices range from $50 to $400. Overall, expect to pay approximately $600 to $2,500 for initial installation.
Motion detector: $100
Glass-break sensor: $100
Smoke or carbon monoxide detector: $100
Water sensor: $50
Doorbell: $200–$250
Camera: $200–$400
Thermostat: $140–$180
SimpliSafe
SimpliSafe costs around $100 to $500 for components and provides a complete line of home security products and packages. Professional installation costs around $79, with professional 24/7 monitoring costing about $1 per day. All systems include a keypad and base station. From there, you can choose from the following packages or build your own:
The Haven: $365–$500
The Knox: $330–$450
The Hearth: $280–$375
The Essentials: $200–$260
The Foundation: $170–$230
Build-your-own system: $200–$2,000
Amazon Echo and Alexa
Amazon offers Echo and Fire TV, and Alexa is a software assistant platform created by Amazon. Alexa integrates with a wide range of smart devices. These include phones, appliances, security systems, and some cars:
Amazon Echo: $80–$120
Amazon smart home packages: $90–$250
Amazon Fire TV: $20–$250
Amazon Blink
Amazon’s home security company, Blink, currently offers cameras and an app. Cameras cost about $35 to $100 each.
Frontpoint
Frontpoint packages cost approximately $100 to $800. Building your own package can hit prices above $2,000, and components cost less than $100. It offers competitive products, including home security, automation, and environmental features like smoke detectors and thermostats.
Ring
Ring package pricing ranges from $100 to $800. Although it’s most known for the Ring doorbell, the company offers a wide range of home security automations, including cameras, lighting, and security keypad hubs.
Ring doorbell: $100–$350
Doorbell and camera kits: $350–$850
Alarm security kit: $350–$750
Elan
Elan is often the homeowner’s choice for new homes and provides high-end complete home automation for about $10,000 to $150,000—although it markets to both independent and commercial home builders. However, this isn’t a DIY option and requires an installer.
Savant Smart Home Systems Cost
Savant systems start at around $1,600 and can range up to $5,000 or more. This fully customizable platform requires custom installation from a licensed Savant dealer. Savant offers a remote-controlled system with home integrations, including entertainment, comfort, and security.
Crestron Home Automation
Crestron home automation costs around $10 to $20 per square foot or $20,000 to $100,000 for complete solutions. Primarily a commercial automation company, it offers residential installs. For example, it providers technology that preheats your shower, tunes your TV, and handles security.
Apple Homekit
Apple Homekit isn’t a system or service. Instead, it’s the software app behind controlling all of your connected devices. However, it works with a wide range of third-party products to completely automate your home. Prices will vary depending on which devices you use with the app.
Smart Home Installation Costs
In general, the cost to have a professional install your system is around $80 to $100 per hour. Most homeowners can install plug-in systems, but it’s best to have a professional install a hardwired system. Wireless installs might take only an hour or two to set up for a total of approximately $150 to $200. Wired installs can take as little as one day or multiple days to install, adding $500 or more to the bill.
DIY Home Automation vs. Hire a Pro
In the smart home category, you can find dozens of DIY options suitable for any homeowner of almost any skill level. However, it takes some time to go through directions and get sensors placed correctly. The hardest part of most wireless installs comes from connecting them all.
But almost every DIY install also offers professional installation. Local home automation installers do all the installation and connection for you. For high-end wired and custom jobs, you'll need a licensed installer to complete the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are lots of advantages to home automation and potentially a few drawbacks. Smart home systems improve overall convenience and can help to optimize energy consumption.
Pros:
Monitor energy and water use
Improve home security
Increase resale value and potential
Cons:
Not all brands are compatible
Subscription fees for monitoring services
Wireless systems may be vulnerable to hacking
Home automation can control an array of different aspects of your home, including:
Interior and exterior lighting
Alarm and security systems
Door and window locks
Pool, hot tub, and steam bath temperatures
Home theater systems and speakers
Phone and internet lines
Yard irrigation
Thermostats
Shades, blinds, shutters, and curtains
Turning off or lowering water heaters and HVAC functions
Detecting water and gas leaks
You should install a wireless system for DIY installs. They’re more budget-friendly but have weaker security. Wired systems cost more and often require a professional.
Security is the biggest difference when it comes to wireless and hardwired setups. Wireless systems are prone to interference and hacking. Hardwired systems are less prone to interference and are exceedingly difficult to hack, as there's no wireless signal to intercept.
For most DIY home solutions, you'll need Wi-Fi. Hardwired systems cost more and may require extra cabling but don't need wireless internet, except for offsite cloud storage and remote control. If you've created a local area network, no internet connection is necessary—even a hardwired one—unless you're accessing a remote service. Some controllers, particularly those for wireless systems, do require an internet connection, so check before you purchase.
Synchronizing systems means your devices will activate or deactivate according to certain conditions. For example, you can set your coffee not to brew if your thermostat is set to away. If your alarm clock goes off, the shower can change to your desired temperature. Different brands may have trouble syncing with one another. Fortunately, hubs like the Wink Hub cost about $50 and ensure your systems work harmoniously.
Data security depends on your provider. It's best to ask your service provider or company for details on how they keep it secure. The most secure form of home automation is a closed, wired system air-gapped from the internet. It would require a hacker to come to your home to steal data physically. If you have concerns, it's worth speaking to a data security specialist before installing a smart home system to take all necessary precautions.
