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TNS Electrical Solutions

How Much Does a Smart Home Cost? A Clear Guide to Smart Home Pricing



Electrician in London
So, How much does a smart home cost?

When considering a smart home, one of the first questions that comes to mind is, "How much does a smart home cost?"


As someone who's navigated the complexities of smart home installations, I know that pricing can vary widely based on what you want to achieve.


This guide by TNS Electrical Solutions, the best electrician London offers, will provide a clear, straightforward breakdown of the costs involved in creating a smart home, using a typical five-bedroom property as an example.


What Influences Smart Home Costs?


When planning a smart home, it's important to understand that the overall cost is influenced by various factors.


These include the type and complexity of the smart home system you choose, the number of smart home devices you install, and the scale of automation you want.


Each element of your smart home—from smart lighting to automated blinds—will contribute to the final price. Here’s a breakdown of the key components that influence smart home costs.


Smart Lighting Systems


Smart lighting is often the first step in automating a home. The cost for this feature can vary depending on the size of your house and the type of smart lighting system you install.

  • Basic smart lighting setup: For a standard five-bedroom home, equipping the house with smart lighting will cost around £15,000. This includes the installation of smart light bulbs and basic control systems.

  • Advanced smart lighting options: If you opt for more sophisticated systems, such as Control4 touchpads or custom LED lighting, costs can rise to between £25,000 and £35,000.

    • Lighting circuits: Each circuit, which is a group of lights controlled by a single switch, will cost between £150 and £250.

    • LED strips: These are popular for creating ambient lighting. Basic single-colour LED strips will cost £100 per linear metre, while colour-changing options are around £200 per metre. This price includes both hardware and installation.

    • Control4 touchpads: These offer more control over your lighting and can be retrofitted for around £500 per switch. For new builds, the cost is typically lower at £250 per switch.

    • Motion sensors: For hands-free lighting control, motion sensors can be installed at a cost of £250 per sensor, whether indoors or outdoors.

Considerations:

  • Custom solutions: If you desire a more personalised lighting experience, working with a professional lighting designer may be worthwhile. This can add between £1,000 and £5,000 to the overall cost, depending on the level of customisation and the size of your home.

Automated Blinds and Curtains

Automated blinds and curtains offer convenience and energy efficiency by allowing you to control natural light with a touch of a button, voice command, or even automatically based on the time of day or weather conditions.

  • Cost of automated blinds: For a standard window size (about 80-100cm wide), expect to pay between £800 and £1,300 per blind.

  • Automated curtain tracks: For larger windows or doors, the cost of installing automated curtain tracks typically ranges from £2,000 to £2,500.

Considerations:

  • Fabric and finish: The choice of fabric and finish can significantly influence the price. Premium materials can add up to £600 per blind.

  • Blackout effects: To achieve a true blackout effect, you might want to add side channels to your blinds. These prevent light from leaking around the edges and start at £750.

  • Hidden curtain tracks: If you prefer a cleaner look, hiding the curtain track within the window frame’s lintel is an option, but it adds about £1,800 to the project.


Smart Sound Systems

A smart sound system is a great way to enhance your home's audio experience, allowing you to enjoy music or other audio content in every room.


The cost of these systems depends on how many rooms (or "zones") you want to include and the type of equipment you choose.

  • Multi-room audio systems: For each room or zone in your house, a basic multi-room audio system will typically cost between £800 and £1,200. This price includes speakers, amplifiers, fire hoods, and cabling.

  • Invisible speakers: If you prefer a more discreet setup, invisible speakers are an option. These are built into your walls and finished over with the surrounding surface, so they’re completely hidden from view. While they don’t compromise on sound quality, they do come at an additional cost of £500 per zone, bringing the total to £1,300-£1,800 per room.

  • Subwoofers: To enhance the bass in your audio setup, adding a subwoofer will cost between £600 and £1,500 per room.

Video Equipment and Home Cinemas

Setting up a smart home cinema or enhancing your home’s video equipment can be one of the most exciting parts of creating a smart home. Whether you’re installing basic video setups in a few rooms or planning a full home cinema, the costs will vary.

  • Basic video equipment: The cost to equip each room or "zone" with video equipment, excluding the screen, ranges from £800 to £1,200. If you opt for in-ceiling speakers, which are more aesthetically pleasing but more costly to install, this price may rise to £1,000-£1,200 per room.

  • TV screens: For a main viewing room like the living room or kitchen, a high-quality TV can cost anywhere from £1,000 to £20,000. For secondary rooms such as bedrooms or offices, prices typically range from £800 to £2,000.

  • Home cinemas: A home cinema setup can vary greatly in cost. A basic media room with a soundbar and subwoofer starts at around £15,000-£20,000. For a mid-range home cinema with professional acoustic treatment and complete light blocking, expect to pay between £50,000 and £80,000. For a top-end setup with all the features and acoustic treatment, costs can go up to £100,000 or more.

Considerations:

  • Stealth cinema: If you want a flexible space that can double as a cinema, a stealth cinema setup, where the screen and projector are hidden until needed, will cost between £20,000 and £35,000.

  • Seating: For custom “Daybed”-style cinema seating, expect to pay around £5,000-£10,000 per item, though some prefer to source their own seating.

Fire and Security Systems

Fire and security systems are essential for any smart home, ensuring your property is both safe and secure. The costs for these systems can vary based on the level of security and fire protection you need.

  • CCTV systems: Installing a basic four-camera, remotely accessible CCTV system without AI capabilities will start at around £3,000.

  • Smart alarm systems: For a standard five-bedroom home, a smart alarm system begins at approximately £4,000. This cost may increase depending on the sensors and additional features you choose, such as third-party monitoring services.

  • Smoke detectors: Adding smoke detectors to your security system will typically cost an additional £2,500.

Mesh WiFi Systems

With multiple smart devices relying on a stable internet connection, having a strong and reliable Mesh WiFi system is crucial. This system ensures there are no dead zones or weak spots in your home's WiFi coverage.

  • Mesh WiFi for a five-bedroom home: Setting up a Mesh WiFi system to cover a five-bedroom property will cost around £5,000.

Considerations:

  • Outbuildings: If your property includes outbuildings that also require a strong internet connection, you’ll need to factor in the cost of running cables to these areas, which can increase the overall price.


Smart Heating Systems

Smart heating systems allow you to control the temperature in your home with ease, often through a smartphone app or voice commands.


These systems offer both convenience and energy efficiency, adapting to your daily routines to optimise heating and cooling.

  • Hybrid heating systems: For a typical five-bedroom home, installing a smart heating system that combines underfloor heating on the ground floor with radiators upstairs, controlled by smart thermostats, will cost between £8,000 and £10,000. This price includes the thermostats, installation, and integration with your smart home system.

Considerations:

  • Energy efficiency: Investing in smart heating systems can lead to significant energy savings over time, as these systems learn your schedule and adjust heating to avoid unnecessary energy use.

Smart Home Controls


With a variety of smart devices throughout your home, it’s crucial to have a centralised control system.


Smart home controls allow you to manage everything from lighting and heating to security and entertainment from one hub.

  • Control4 touchscreen system: A popular choice for managing smart home devices, a Control4 touchscreen system typically costs between £800 and £1,200. This system provides a user-friendly interface for controlling all connected devices in your home.

  • Remote controls: If you prefer a more traditional remote over a touchscreen, a basic remote control starts at £250. For a more advanced option with a touchscreen and hard buttons, along with a charging dock, expect to pay around £650.

Considerations:

  • Ease of use: These control systems are designed to simplify your interactions with the various technologies in your home, making them accessible even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.

Video Intercoms, Doorbells, and Access Control

Video intercoms and smart doorbells are essential for modern home security, providing both convenience and enhanced safety. They allow you to see and communicate with visitors remotely, and they can integrate with your other smart systems for added functionality.

  • Basic video intercom systems: A standard video intercom with a touchscreen and call button starts at around £900. If you want additional features like a keypad and gate control, the price can increase to £1,300-£1,400.

  • Gate automation: For those with gated properties, automating your gate can add both convenience and security. This setup will cost approximately £6,000, excluding the gate itself, which varies in price based on style and materials.

  • Video doorbells: A high-quality video doorbell that integrates with other smart systems, such as the Control4 model, will cost around £700. This can be linked with your home’s smart speakers or audio system for added convenience.

  • Advanced access control: For a more sophisticated setup, consider adding a fingerprint scanner or mobile phone reader for entry. These systems start at around £2,000 each.

Considerations:

  • Security and convenience: These systems not only enhance security by allowing you to monitor and control access to your home but also offer the convenience of remote operation from anywhere.

Smart Home Rack and Processors

The smart home rack is the backbone of your home automation system, housing the processors and connections that keep your devices running smoothly. It’s essential for managing the complex network of smart technology in your home.

  • Processor units: Depending on the size of your home and the number of systems you’re running, you’ll need multiple processor units. For a five-bedroom home, a reliable processor setup will cost about £3,000. Opting for faster processors to future-proof your home could increase this cost to £3,500-£4,000.

  • Additional processors: In larger homes, you may require extra processors to connect various smart systems. These additional units are typically more basic and cost between £750 and £1,000 each. For a five-bedroom home, you might need two or three of these units.

  • Smart home rack: All processor units are housed in a smart home rack, which includes connections for all your systems. For a five-bedroom property, the cost of a rack, including installation, will range from £1,000 to £3,000.

  • UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): To ensure your smart systems continue running during a power outage, a UPS is included in the rack setup. The cost of this component depends on how long you want the battery backup to last, typically ranging from £1,000 to £3,000.

Considerations:

  • Central management: The smart home rack centralises control and management of your home’s technology, ensuring seamless operation and easy access for maintenance and upgrades.



Useful Resources


Here are some helpful resources to further explore smart home systems, their costs, and the latest in home automation technology:

These resources will provide you with a wealth of information to make informed decisions about your smart home project.



Google Maps: Werter Rd, London SW15 2LJ
Werter Rd, London SW15 2LJ

Case Study: TNS Electrical Solutions - A Smart Home Success In Putney, London


TNS Electrical Solutions recently completed a comprehensive smart home installation for a client at Werter Rd, London SW15 2LJ.


The client, Lisa, wanted a fully integrated smart home system that would enhance the convenience, security, and efficiency of her family’s everyday life.


Project Overview


The project involved installing a wide range of smart home technologies, including:

  • Smart Lighting Systems: Customised smart lighting throughout the five-bedroom home, with Control4 touchpads for intuitive control.

  • Automated Blinds and Curtains: High-end automated blinds that respond to voice commands and time-of-day settings.

  • Smart Sound Systems: Multi-room smart sound systems with invisible speakers in the living room and main bedroom, providing high-quality audio without compromising on aesthetics.

  • Video Intercoms and Access Control: A Control4 video intercom system and smart doorbell, integrated with gate automation for enhanced security.

  • Mesh WiFi Systems: A robust Mesh WiFi system ensuring seamless connectivity across all floors and even in the garden area.

  • Smart Heating Systems: A hybrid smart heating system combining underfloor heating with smart thermostats for maximum energy efficiency.

Lisa: Client Feedback

Lisa was thrilled with the results, noting how the smart home system has transformed the way her family interacts with their home. She shared her experience:

"The team at TNS Electrical Solutions exceeded our expectations. Our home at Werter Rd feels more connected and secure than ever. The Control4 system is so easy to use, and we love the convenience of controlling everything from our phones. The kids especially love the voice-controlled lighting! I've used TNS as our electrician in Putney for many years, and they're always available to help on complex tasks." – Lisa, Werter Rd, London SW15 2LJ

Project Overview


This project at Werter Rd, London SW15 2LJ is a prime example of how TNS Electrical Solutions can deliver a fully integrated smart home system that meets the specific needs of homeowners. From initial consultation to final installation, TNS ensures that every detail is taken care of, resulting in a home that’s not just smart, but also a joy to live in.


Cost of the Project

The total cost for the smart home installation at Werter Rd, London SW15 2LJ was £95,000. This included the design, installation, and integration of all systems:

  • Smart Lighting Systems: £25,000

  • Automated Blinds and Curtains: £12,000

  • Smart Sound Systems: £15,000

  • Video Intercoms and Access Control: £10,000

  • Mesh WiFi Systems: £5,000

  • Smart Heating Systems: £8,000

  • Additional Costs (including preparatory work and custom features): £20,000

This investment provided Lisa and her family with a cutting-edge, fully integrated smart home system that greatly enhances their lifestyle.



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