Quick answerThere is no single price. The cost of home automation depends on the system (wired or wireless), how many points you control, whether building work is planned, and how much design, programming, documentation and maintenance are included. The only reliable way to know is a site survey followed by an itemised quote.
It’s the first question almost everyone asks, and the honest answer is “it depends”. But it depends on specific things you can understand before you ask for a quote. This guide doesn’t give fixed figures — prices vary with every home, manufacturer and year — but it does explain what drives the budget and how to spot an incomplete offer.
Six factors that set the price
1. The type of system
| System | Relative upfront cost | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| Simple wireless (Wi-Fi or Zigbee modules) | Low | Automating specific rooms in an existing home |
| Integrated ecosystem (e.g. Loxone) | Medium | A whole home with one manufacturer and one app |
| Open wired standard (KNX) | Medium–high | New builds, full refurbishments, large homes, long service life |
The difference isn’t only the price of devices — it’s lifespan, expandability and independence from a single manufacturer. Compare them in KNX vs Loxone vs Shelly.
2. How many points you control
Every lighting circuit, blind, heating zone and sensor is a “point”. Controlling the living room isn’t the same as controlling the whole house. A good starting count: blinds, lighting circuits and climate zones.
3. Building work
On a new build or full refurbishment, the bus cable goes in alongside the rest of the electrics and the extra cost is moderate. In a finished home, new cables mean chasing walls, replastering and repainting — that’s where wireless usually wins. More in home automation in an existing home.
4. Switches and interfaces
Designer push-buttons, touch panels, flush or surface sensors: the visible finish can weigh as much in the budget as the electronics behind the wall.
5. Integration with other systems
Video intercom, alarm, heat pump, EV charger, solar inverter or irrigation. Each integration needs gateways or specific configuration, plus testing time.
6. Engineering, programming and service
The line most often ignored when comparing quotes — and the one that makes the biggest difference: needs analysis, design, programming scenes and logic, testing, user training, documentation and after-sales support.
What a serious quote should include
- A description of what will be controlled and how.
- A bill of materials with brands and model numbers (not “generic actuator”).
- Installation labour and, separately, programming.
- Gateways and integrations with other systems.
- Testing, commissioning and training.
- Handover documentation: drawings, device addresses and a copy of the programming.
- Warranty and maintenance terms.
If a quote doesn’t mention programming or documentation, it probably doesn’t include them. Ask before comparing prices.
Costs that show up later
- An inadequate network: many systems need stable networking, so upgrading Wi-Fi or wiring access points may be necessary (see improving Wi-Fi in a large house).
- Subscriptions for some cloud services, camera recording or remote access.
- Batteries for wireless sensors.
- Reprogramming when your routines change.
Installing in phases without paying twice
- Design the whole system, even if you install it gradually.
- Put the infrastructure in first: space in the consumer unit, conduits, back boxes and network. It’s the hardest part to add later.
- Start with what you use most: main lighting, blinds and climate.
- Expand with sensors, scenes, security and energy integration.
Worked example: how a quote is put together
Picture a detached house under full refurbishment with this scope: 18 lighting circuits (6 dimmable), 10 motorised blinds, four climate zones, flood detection in the kitchen and bathrooms, and control from a touch panel and phone. A serious quote for this would be structured like this:
| Line item | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Survey, system design and schematics |
| Control hardware | Power supply and system devices, lighting, dimming and blind actuators |
| Interfaces | Push-buttons in each room, touch panel, app |
| Sensors | Presence, temperature, flood with shut-off valve |
| Integrations | Climate gateway, alarm if applicable |
| Installation | Bus cabling and consumer-unit assembly |
| Programming and commissioning | Scenes, schedules, logic and testing |
| Training and documentation | User handover session, drawings and a copy of the programming |
If two offers for the same scope differ widely, check the last three rows first — that’s usually where the difference lies.
Mistakes that push the cost up
- Choosing a system on the price of the first few devices instead of the total cost over ten years.
- Mixing incompatible brands that need duplicate gateways and apps.
- Hiring electricians and integrators who don’t coordinate.
- Leaving no room in the consumer unit.
- Skipping documentation to save money — every future change will cost more.
How to request comparable quotes
Share floor plans, a room-by-room list of what you want to control, whether building work is planned and what equipment you already have (air conditioning, alarm, solar panels). That way every offer starts from the same brief and you can genuinely compare them.
Conclusion
The cost of home automation comes down to the system, the scope, the building work and the service included. A small wireless setup can be a modest investment; a whole home on a wired standard costs more but lasts longer and expands more easily. Always ask for an itemised quote, compare line by line and think in terms of total cost over the years.
Domolife prepares itemised home automation quotes in Valencia tailored to each home. Tell us about your project.
Frequently asked questions
Is wireless home automation cheaper?
Its upfront cost is usually lower because there is no wiring or building work, but you need to factor in batteries, radio coverage and a solid Wi-Fi network. In large homes or long-life installations, a wired system can work out better value.
Can I start small and expand later?
Yes, as long as the system is expandable and the infrastructure allows it. It is the most sensible approach: the most-used functions first, the rest later.
Does maintenance cost extra?
Budget for it: updates, programming changes, battery checks and support. Always ask what is and isn’t included.
Why do two quotes differ so much?
Because they rarely include the same things. One may cover hardware only; another includes design, programming, training and documentation. Compare line by line.
Sources and technical documentation
- KNX Association — about the KNX standard
- Shelly — device technical documentation
- IDAE — Spanish Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving
Features depend on the exact model and firmware: always check the manufacturer’s datasheet before buying.