How much does home automation cost? [2024]

Until recently, the automated control of building systems was more commonly found in large commercial buildings and was too expensive for most homes. However, due to the rapid development of technology there are an increasing number of affordable options on the market that can help to make your home more comfortable and liveable. There are a few things you should know before considering a home automation system for your own household.

Home automation gives you the ability to control all of the devices in your home from any mobile device, at any time and from anywhere in the world. Home automation can be used on lights, appliances, electrical outlets, home security, heating and cooling systems and more. Whether it’s having the ability to switch lights on at home while you’re working late at the office, to saving your money on energy bills by turning your thermostats up or down while you’re away on holiday; home automation has many benefits. 

This article will cover:

• How does home automation work?
• What can be automated?
• Installation of home automation
• How much does home automation cost?

How does home automation work?

A typical home automation system is made up of hardware, communication and electronic interfaces that work together to integrate electrical devices with each other. 

There are typically two ways that this can be setup; the first is a traditional wired programmable system that runs throughout your house, and the second is a wireless approach to connecting devices.

The older approach to home automation is to wire electrical ‘outlets’ together in as many rooms as you want. The wiring runs to a central processor with a programmable hub or controller that is used to manage devices. This approach is typically installed during the process of building a house.

Today, the more advanced and flexible approach on offer is to take the wireless route. This can be used when wireless technology is embedded into the device, appliance or product you want to control remotely from your smartphone or tablet. Getting setup can be as easy as installing the product and downloading the product’s app. The most commonly used types of wireless technology include;

• C-Bus
• X10
• Z-Wave
• Bluetooth

However the downside of this is that not all devices are compatible with wireless technology and you may need to invest in an upgrade to a new system or device if you get automated.

What can be automated?

With the right technology and expertise, there's no limit to the functionality you can achieve in your smart home. All you need to do is decide what you want to achieve and the best way to do it. Here are some of the most common uses of home automation you might want to explore further:

• Indoor and outdoor lighting
• Home security
• Door and window locks
• Blinds, shades, shutters and curtains
• Heating and cooling systems
• Water systems
• Phone and internet lines
• Thermostats
• Home theatre systems and speakers
• Smoke alarms
• Detecting water and gas leaks

Installation of home automation

The installation, testing and repair of the electrical system in your home and individual devices must be carried out by an electrician with a valid licence, or an accredited home automation installer. This also includes the installation of any home automation system that needs to be integrated or connected to your home’s electrical system.

When it comes to installing or upgrading your home automation, not all electricians will have the skills required so look for someone who has experience in this area.

How much does home automation cost?

The good news is that home automation technology has become increasingly affordable. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect to invest.

Basic Automation:

If you want to control a single device with automation, then you’ll need to invest in a product such as a Wi-Fi enabled switch. These can cost upwards of $50-70 each. These switches work by plugging into a power outlet and plugging your device into the switch. There are usually apps that you need to download to be able to control the device from there. 

Other affordable options include smart light bulbs, like the Philips Hue system or TP-LINK Smart WiFi LED Bulb. Smart bulbs start from around $40-$60 each and can be controlled by your phone.

Installing a smart lock will cost a little more, with starting prices around the $100-$150 mark. These are easy to mount on your doors, install and use. You can get smart locks that are battery powered and don’t require wiring to work.

Whole home Automation:

If you want to be able to control your entire household through automation then you might be considering a full home automation system. There are a number of factors to consider that will impact on the end price. These include:

• The number of rooms you want connected
• How big your home is
• What you want automated e.g. all the shutters and blinds, the lighting, the home security system.
• How sophisticated you want to go

An example of some quoted prices include:

• $3,000-$5000 for installing the cabling/wiring in a small home
• $3,000-$7000 for an integrated, modular and expandable security system
• $15,000+ for a C-Bus system for a small home