Key takeaways
- Plan smart home wiring before the walls close. One guide says adding neutral wires to switch locations later can cost at least $200 per location, while pre-wiring during construction is much cheaper.
- Published budgets run from about $500 for a DIY starter system to $100,000 or more for a fully installed estate. They come from one commercial site and are undated, so use them as a rough guide.
- In Florida, where a local agency requires a permit, installing hardwired low-voltage systems that include home-automation equipment must be done by a contractor qualified for electrical or alarm work.
- For storm season, plan how lighting, security and pool equipment behave on backup power, and size any generator with a professional.
Smart home systems have moved well beyond a voice speaker. In a luxury home, the idea is lighting scenes that follow the day, shades that respond to the sun, security and climate that work together and a network that never drops. In South Florida, where storms and outages are part of the calendar, it also has to behave well when the power goes.
This guide covers what to plan, what it can cost, who can install it and how to prepare for storm season. Cost figures come from a commercial resource and a state-affiliated financing agency, so we name them and flag their limits.
What does a smart home and lighting system include?
A system usually combines lighting control, shades, climate, security and cameras, audio and video, and a network that ties them together. Lighting is the most visible part. Switches, dimmers and keypads let you set scenes such as dinner, movie or away.
There are two broad routes. Smart switches and dimmers replace the wall controls and need wiring at the wall. Smart bulbs, such as Philips Hue, need no new wiring because they work with existing fixtures. Professional systems often use a central panel with a dedicated cable run to each wall control.
How much does a smart home cost?
Home Automation US, a commercial resource whose revenue relationships are not disclosed, lists these tiers for 2026. The page is undated, so treat the figures as a rough guide.
| Tier | Range reported | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| DIY starter | $500 to $3,000 | Retail devices such as a hub, thermostat, bulbs or switches, lock and cameras |
| Semi-professional | $5,000 to $20,000 | A mix of professional and DIY, for example Lutron RadioRA 3 lighting at $6,000 to $14,000 installed for a 2,500 sq ft home |
| Full professional | $20,000 to $100,000 | Dealer-installed platforms such as Control4, Savant or Crestron; Control4 for 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft listed at $30,000 to $70,000 |
| Estate | $100,000 or more | Custom scope; an 8,000 to 12,000 sq ft home commonly $200,000 to $500,000 |
The same page suggests budgeting 15 to 25 percent of equipment cost for infrastructure such as network and wiring, 30 to 40 percent for programming and commissioning, and 5 to 10 percent of system cost each year for upkeep. It lists professional lighting for one room at $800 to $2,000 installed. These are one site's estimates, so get itemized quotes from local integrators.
What should you plan in the walls?
A second Home Automation US guide gives practical planning advice for new builds and renovations:
- Neutral wires: smart switches and dimmers usually need a neutral wire at each switch. The guide says older homes often lack one, and that adding it later can cost at least $200 per location.
- Rough-in budget: roughly $400 to $800 for a typical 2,500 sq ft home's smart lighting rough-in.
- Conduit: consider conduit instead of standard cable, since it makes future upgrades easier. The guide suggests planning for changes every five to seven years.
- One page of specs: write a one-page document covering switch locations, load types, wiring layout and conduit needs, and give it to the electrician before work starts.
- Walk-through: have the electrician and the system integrator review the same specifications before rough-in.
If you are building, bring the integrator in early, alongside your architect and interior designer, so the switch plan matches the layout and the lighting design.
Who can install a smart home in Florida?
Florida Statutes section 553.793 (2024) covers installation, maintenance and service of hardwired low-voltage alarm systems, including cameras, and attached components such as home-automation equipment, thermostats and access controls. Where a local enforcement agency requires a permit, the section says:
- The work must be done by a contractor qualified for electrical or alarm system contracting under Chapter 489, Part II.
- Local agencies must sell uniform basic permit labels for no more than $40 per label per project per unit, and may not charge other fees for these installations.
- Wireless alarm systems do not need a permit.
Ask any installer which license they hold, and verify it on MyFloridaLicense.com. Line-voltage electrical work is regulated separately, so ask who will do it. Our contractor guide explains how to check licenses and structure payments.
How do you prepare a smart home for storm season?
A smart system is only as reliable as its power and network. Ask your integrator what stays on when the power goes: lighting scenes, door locks, cameras, the network, gate and garage controls and pool equipment. Our suggestion is to list the systems you need during an outage and design the backup around them.
Florida PACE Funding Agency, which promotes a property-tax-based financing program, published a generator cost guide on April 23, 2026. It reports:
- 7 to 10 kW units at $3,000 to $5,000, covering a few essentials and typically not central air conditioning.
- 12 to 20 kW units at $5,000 to $10,000, suited to mid-sized homes including air conditioning.
- 22 to 30 kW or more at $10,000 and up, for large homes and heavy loads.
- Installation of $2,000 to $6,000, and annual maintenance of $200 to $500.
The guide notes that a generator is not legally required in Florida, and that larger homes with pool pumps, multiple air conditioning units or heavy electronics may need 22 to 30 kW or more. These figures are not Florida-specific, and the source has an interest in financing. Ask a licensed electrician to size any generator.
If you are also upgrading windows and doors for storm protection, see our guide to impact windows vs hurricane shutters.
What should you ask a smart home integrator?
- Which license do you hold, and who handles the electrical work?
- Which platform do you use, and what happens to the system if your company closes?
- Who owns the programming and the passwords, and can another integrator take over?
- What does the quote include for programming, commissioning and training?
- What are the yearly service and subscription costs?
- What stays on during a power outage, and what happens when power returns?
- Can I see and use a finished installation?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a smart home cost? One commercial guide lists $500 to $3,000 for DIY starters, $5,000 to $20,000 for semi-professional systems and $20,000 to $100,000 or more for fully installed systems. Get itemized local quotes.
How much does smart lighting cost? The same guide lists $150 to $400 in hardware for one DIY room and $800 to $2,000 installed professionally for one room.
Do smart switches need a neutral wire? Usually, yes. One guide says older homes often lack neutrals at switch locations, and that adding them later can cost at least $200 per location.
Is it cheaper to wire a smart home during construction? According to the guides we read, yes. Pre-wiring during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting.
Who can install a smart home system in Florida? Where a local agency requires a permit for low-voltage work, section 553.793 says a contractor qualified for electrical or alarm system contracting under Chapter 489, Part II must do it.
Do wireless alarm systems need a permit? Section 553.793 says wireless alarm systems do not need a permit under that section.
Do I need a generator in Florida? It is not legally required, according to the Florida PACE guide. Many owners consider one, and a licensed electrician should size it.
What is a lighting scene? It is a preset combination of light levels across rooms, such as dinner or movie, triggered from a keypad or app.
Sources checked
Home Automation US, smart home cost breakdown (undated; commercial resource); Home Automation US, wiring for lighting control (undated); Florida Statutes section 553.793 (2024); Florida PACE Funding Agency, cost of a whole-home generator (April 23, 2026). Prices and rules change, so confirm with your installer and building department.