One of the first questions every client asks is how much it costs, and the honest answer is that the range is wide. This summary is based on dozens of projects we have guided, and explains not only how much, but above all what the price is made of.
In short: a basic wireless smart home system to control lighting, air conditioning and a few devices starts at around 15,000 ₪. A comprehensive system for a private house, covering lighting, shutters, air conditioning, audio and security, usually costs between ₪80,000 and ₪150,000, and more in large homes or luxury projects.
The difference between the two ends comes not only from the price of the equipment, but from the scope of control, the type of infrastructure and the quality of the work.
Three budget levels, and what you get at each
Basic wireless system
- Lighting control in selected rooms
- Air conditioning and water heater control
- A few devices and smart sockets
- Suits an existing apartment or a rental
Extended wireless system
- Lighting throughout the house, including dimming
- Motorised shutters
- Air conditioning, heating and climate control
- Automatic scenes and integration
Comprehensive system, wired or hybrid
- Wired KNX infrastructure
- Full control of every system in the house
- Audio-video, security and irrigation
- Suits new builds and villas
The ranges are based on projects we have carried out and are for initial orientation only. An exact quote is prepared after the home and your needs have been assessed.
What really affects the price
In most cases where a client finds a gap between expectation and reality, the gap is not in the price of the controllers but in items that were not accounted for in advance:
- The number of control points. The price follows directly from the number of circuits you want to control. A home with 40 lighting points is fundamentally different from one with 15.
- The type of lighting control. Simple on/off is much cheaper than dimming, and standard dimming is cheaper than dimming with advanced technologies or complex LED lighting.
- The electrician’s work. A smart system needs more chasing, cable pulling and panel work. The extra cost of the electrician’s work can reach tens of percent compared with a conventional project.
- The electrical panels. A smart system needs larger, more complex panels, an item people tend to forget at the design stage.
- The choice of switches and panels. A single premium switch can cost thousands of shekels. Multiplied by dozens of points around the house, this is the item that most often breaks a budget.
- Wired versus wireless infrastructure. In a wired system, preparing the infrastructure alone can cost tens of thousands of shekels before any controllers are bought.
Wired versus wireless: where the money goes
| Aspect | Wired system (KNX) | Wireless system |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | Higher: infrastructure and hardware | Relatively low |
| Infrastructure requirements | Dedicated conduits and chasing | Existing electrical wiring |
| Suitable stage | New build or major renovation | Existing home, no breaking walls |
| Future expansion | Planned into the infrastructure in advance | Modular, added step by step |
| Lifespan and reliability | Very high, open standard | Good, depend on network quality |
There is no single right answer. The decision follows from the condition of the property, the planning horizon and the budget. We go into it further in the full comparison between wired and wireless smart homes.
How to avoid going over budget
The main cause of overruns is not expensive equipment, but not understanding all the parts needed for the system to work as one whole. Three rules that save money:
1. Design before the pour
The cheapest decisions are made at the drawing stage. A design change on paper costs a few shekels; the same change after the pour costs tens of thousands. Consulting and early design is the investment with the highest return in the project.
2. Compare quotes like for like
An integration company’s quote does not stand on its own: it has to be read together with the electrician’s quote and the cost of the panels and fittings. A cheap quote that leaves items out is not really cheap.
3. Do not skip supervision
Poor workmanship usually comes to light after handover, when fixing it costs several times more. Professional supervision with the contractor and the installer is insurance, not an extra expense.
Smart home prices: questions, answered
How much does a smart home cost for an ordinary apartment?
For an existing apartment, a basic wireless system for lighting, air conditioning and the water heater starts at around ₪15,000. Extending it to full control of lighting, shutters and automatic scenes usually comes to ₪30,000 to ₪60,000, depending on the number of control points and the fittings chosen.
Why are there such big gaps between quotes?
In most cases the gap comes from a different scope, not a different price: the number of control points, the type of dimming, the quality of the switches, and whether the quote includes the electrician’s work and the panels. To compare properly, make sure every quote refers to the same list of points and the same level of fittings.
Is a wireless system cheaper than a wired one?
In initial cost, yes, significantly. A wired system needs dedicated conduits, chasing and complex panels, and the infrastructure alone can cost tens of thousands of shekels before any controllers are bought. On the other hand, a wired KNX system offers greater reliability and a longer life, so in a new build it is usually the right long-term investment.
When is it most cost-effective to start the design?
Before the concrete is poured and before the electrical work. At that stage, point locations, conduits and panel size can be decided at almost no extra cost. Late planning means compromises or expensive remedial work.
Can I start small and expand later?
Yes, and it is an approach we recommend when the budget is limited. You can start with control of the water heater and air conditioning, and add lighting and shutters step by step. With wireless systems this modularity is especially simple; with wired systems it is important to prepare the infrastructure in advance even if the controllers are installed later.
What if the previous installer abandoned the project?
This happens more often than you might think. We carry out restoration of existing systems: diagnosing the state of the system, reprogramming it and completing what is missing, including abandoned KNX systems. The cost depends on the condition of the existing infrastructure and how much needs completing.
Where to next
Want an exact figure for your home?
A short scoping call is enough to understand the scope of the project and give a realistic price range, with no surprises later.
