Home automation cost: smart lights, locks and more
Design IRL Editorial · Figures checked 7 November 2026 · For owners adding smart controls to a flat, or planning them into a new home · How we make our guides
Home automation comes in two kinds. Wireless kits fit behind your existing switches and cost a few thousand rupees a point. Wired systems are planned before plastering and cost several times more, but are more reliable and don't need Wi-Fi to work.
Wireless or wired
| Wireless (Wi-Fi, Zigbee and similar) | Wired (KNX and similar) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Smart switches, relay modules and plugs talk over Wi-Fi or a small hub | Every switch, sensor and keypad is wired to a central system |
| Suits | Existing flats, renovations, rentals, tight budgets | New builds, villas and large homes, planned at the plaster stage |
| Per room | ₹15,000–50,000 | ₹50,000–2.5 lakh |
| Upside | Quick to fit, easy to add to, no wall-breaking | Reliable; core functions don't need Wi-Fi or the internet |
| Downside | Depends on Wi-Fi signal; devices from different brands may not work together | Costly, needs a specialist, hard to add later |
What each device roughly costs
| Device | Approx. ₹ each |
|---|---|
| Smart switch, 1 gang | ₹800–3,500 |
| Relay module behind an existing switch | ₹1,500–2,500 |
| Smart plug | ₹600–3,000 |
| Smart IR remote for the AC | ₹1,500–6,000 |
| Motion or door sensor | ₹700–4,000 |
| Indoor camera | ₹2,000–12,000 |
| Video doorbell | ₹5,000–20,000 |
| Smart door lock | ₹8,000–45,000 |
| Curtain motor, per track | ₹7,000–25,000 |
| Hub or gateway | ₹3,000–15,000 |
| Touch panel | ₹12,000–18,000 for one mid-range make; designer panels cost more |
Fitting is extra. Adding a neutral wire to switchboards that don't have one is reported at about ₹300–500 a point, or ₹10,000–30,000 for a flat.
What a whole flat roughly costs
| Home | Rooms counted | Wireless | Wired |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 BHK | 4 | ₹60,000–2 lakh | ₹2–10 lakh |
| 2 BHK | 5 | ₹75,000–2.5 lakh | ₹2.5–12.5 lakh |
| 3 BHK | 6 | ₹90,000–3 lakh | ₹3–15 lakh |
Published figures are similar. One integrator's 2026 guide puts a 2 BHK at ₹50,000–1 lakh basic and ₹1–2 lakh mid-range, and a 3 BHK at ₹1–2 lakh basic and ₹2–3.5 lakh mid-range. A Delhi KNX installer puts lighting, curtains, AC and sensors in a 3 BHK at ₹4.5–7.5 lakh, and a full KNX home at ₹8–12 lakh or more.
Worked example: a wireless 2 BHK in Hyderabad
Say a lived-in 2 BHK that wants smart lights and fans, AC control, a smart lock, two cameras and one motorised curtain, without breaking walls.
| Item | Working | Typical ₹ |
|---|---|---|
| Relay modules behind switchboards | 10 × ₹2,000 | ₹20,000 |
| AC remotes | 2 × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Smart lock | ₹15,000 | |
| Indoor cameras | 2 × ₹4,000 | ₹8,000 |
| Video doorbell | ₹8,000 | |
| Curtain motor, living room | ₹15,000 | |
| Hub | ₹5,000 | |
| Motion and door sensors | 3 × ₹1,500 | ₹4,500 |
| Fitting and neutral wiring | ₹15,000 | |
| GST at 18% on fitting | 18% of ₹15,000 | ₹2,700 |
| Total | ₹99,200 |
What to plan before wiring
- A neutral wire at every switchboard. Most smart switches need one, and older flats often don't have it.
- Deeper switch boxes, so relay modules fit behind the plate.
- Spare conduits to each room, so you can add wiring later without cutting walls.
- A power point at each curtain track, camera, video doorbell and the main door lock.
- Good Wi-Fi in every room. A weak signal is the most common reason wireless systems feel unreliable. Plan a mesh or a wired access point if the flat is large.
- A small, ventilated spot with power for the router, hub and a UPS.
- For wired systems: decide scenes, keypad locations and curtain tracks before the electrician starts, and leave space in the distribution board.
Decide early in a new build
In a home that is still being built, the cheapest moment to add automation is before plastering. Even if you go wireless, run neutral wires, deep boxes and spare conduits then. It costs little now and a lot later.
How to save without regret
- Start with what you use daily: lights and fans in the living room and main bedroom, AC control and the main door.
- Pick one ecosystem, so every device works from one app and with one voice assistant.
- Use relay modules behind existing switches rather than replacing every plate.
- Spend on the lock and cameras, which protect the home. Save on colour-changing bulbs.
- Check for cloud subscriptions on cameras and doorbells. Some charge ₹400–1,250 a month for recordings.
Keep manual control
Every light and the main door should still work if the Wi-Fi or app is down. Choose switches that also work by hand, and a lock with a PIN or key backup. Figures here are approximate; confirm with real quotes.
Who to hire
For wireless kits, a brand's authorised installer or a dealer with an electrician is usually enough. For a wired system, bring in an MEP consultant or automation integrator alongside the architect, before the electrical drawings are final. A lighting designer helps if scenes and dimming matter to you.
Find the people
Sources
Most published cost figures come from firms that sell the work. We give ranges and you should get 2–3 quotes.