Get started by completing our Create a Budget form below. After you submit your information, our team will review your selections and send turnkey pricing within 1-2 business days.
As a homeowner, it is important to know that the smart home technology industry has a professional certification program administered by the Home Technology Association (HTA). Only about 10% of home automation installation companies meet the standards required to earn this certification.
Smarter Homes is proud to be part of the top 10% of home automation companies that meet HTA Certification standards. When comparing bids for your project, make sure the companies you are considering are HTA Certified.
HTA Certification helps homeowners identify qualified, reputable integrators with the experience, technical standards, and professionalism needed to support a well-designed smart home.
In about 20 questions we can get you to a realistic budget range for all of the home automation technology in your home. If you really know what you want, you can breeze through this in about 5 minutes or less. If you need to think about things, expect it to take you about 8 minutes or so. If you would rather us fill out this form for you, Give Us A Call.
*The calculated home technology budget range you will receive will includes parts, labor & accessories (Tax not included)
HTA Certified firms undergo a rigorous background check to ensure they are technically competent, demonstrate solid customer service, and have a positive reputation. Less than 10% of companies will reach this status!
Josh Christian, HTA Director of Certification
The first glance at a technology budget might send you running for the hills.
Home Technology Association
Smart Home Budget Advice - 4 Vital Tips From The Home Technology Association
When planning a new home build or remodel, one of the hardest numbers for homeowners to estimate is the technology budget.
Your builder, architect, and interior designer can usually provide a quick ballpark for a pool, kitchen, or electrical scope. Technology is different because there are so many variables. Some homeowners want simple, reliable systems, while others want high-performance audio, advanced lighting control, motorized shades, security, and fully integrated smart home automation.
In many cases, homeowners are still figuring out what they want, what they need, and what should be planned before construction begins. These budget guidelines can help you start with a more realistic range.
Typically, in a major remodel or new home build, the technology system budgets range from 4% to 8% of the home’s value. This estimate usually excludes lighting control, motorized shades, and dedicated home theater systems.
For lighting control, a realistic starting range is typically $4 to $7 per square foot when controlling most of the home’s interior and exterior lighting. The upper end of that range usually reflects a hardwired lighting control system, which offers the highest level of reliability. The lower end generally reflects wireless lighting control solutions.
For Home Theater systems, budgets can range from $10,000 to $1 million or more, depending on the desired level of performance, room design, equipment, acoustics, and overall experience.
Here are four key tips to help you understand your smart home technology budget.
1. Divide Technology Systems Into Smaller Categories
At first glance, a technology budget can feel overwhelming. That is usually because it includes several different systems, and the costs can add up quickly.
It is helpful to think about each technology category as its own part of the overall budget, including:
Breaking the budget into smaller categories makes it easier to compare options, prioritize what matters most, and understand where your investment is going.
2. Prioritize a High-Quality Network/Wi-Fi System
Your home network is the foundation of nearly every connected system in the home. Phones, tablets, doorbells, streaming devices, music systems, televisions, cameras, security systems, lighting controls, and smart home devices all rely on dependable connectivity.
For luxury homes and larger properties, we strongly recommend investing in an enterprise-grade network. Basic consumer devices from a retail store are often not enough to support the number of devices, coverage needs, and performance expectations inside a modern smart home.
Your HTA Certified technology integrator can help specify professional-grade networking equipment designed for stronger security, speed, coverage, and reliability. If there is one area where homeowners should avoid cutting corners, it is the home network. Your family will feel the difference every day.
For more information, read the Home Technology Association article: Why an Enterprise-Grade Network is a MUST in every Luxury Home
3. Consider the Value in What’s Being Offered
Many homeowners worry they are being oversold on technology, so they collect bids until they find the lowest price. The problem is that the lowest number often comes with compromises in reliability, performance, design, or long-term support.
A better approach is to clearly define what matters most to you. Do you care most about simplicity, performance, aesthetics, reliability, future flexibility, or all of the above? Once those priorities are clear, your technology professional can recommend systems that better match your expectations and budget.
Ask questions. Make sure you understand why each recommendation is being made. A reputable integrator should be able to explain the purpose of each system, the available options, and the differences between a basic solution and a more advanced one.
The goal is not to spend more than necessary. The goal is to invest in the right systems the first time.
4. Recognize the Significant Role Technology Plays in Your Life
Technology touches nearly every part of daily life at home. Internet access, music, video, security, lighting, climate comfort, shades, door access, and smart home control are used constantly by the entire family.
Many homeowners invest heavily in beautiful pools, gyms, gardens, formal rooms, and other features that may only be used occasionally. Technology, on the other hand, is used every day.
When it is planned and installed correctly, home technology can make your home more comfortable, secure, convenient, and enjoyable. When it is poorly planned, it can become a constant source of frustration.
That is why it is worth considering whether some budget should shift from less-used spaces or features toward the systems your family will interact with every day.
These are just a few things to consider when deciding how much to invest in your smart home technology system. The Home Technology Association created a budget calculator to help homeowners better understand cost ranges and the factors that influence a realistic technology budget.
Click the button below to create a sample technology installation budget.
Need help planning your technology budget? Schedule a Smart Home Budget Review.