Hi all, I was very shocked after receiving a variation quote from my builder to pre-wire our home with smart home features (smart home gadgets etc will be done by an external contractor)
So the quote we received was:
Installation and wiring of 32 light switches.
• Installation and wiring of 10 blind switches.
• Pre-wire of PIR sensors, to be pulled through plaster.
• Pre-wire of data points for POE cameras, wall mounted tablet, wireless
access points, Intercom and keypad.
• 2-Core cable to from data area to front gate.
• Installation of smart door lock.
• Installation of Keypad of front pedestrian gate.
• Installation of smart Zigbee gateway.
• Pre-wire garage controller.
• Fit off motion sensor light.
• Wiring of 21 blinds power to switches.
• Supply and install Power point for future projector location in the playroom.
• HDMI pre wire, from projector to AV location.
• Speaker pre wire to four points.
These were in addition to the standard lights/wiring inclusions we have on the contract. What it really means is that we don’t have to accept the quote and we will still have a house with standard features to live in.
The above cost us $17.5k. Is that reasonable? I just think it is very expensive considering we paid $5k+ to rewire our old 3 bedroom house in 2020.
We are building for the first time so have no prior knowledge of this.
Basically in addition to all the smart home features we are looking at $65-70k
I would like to know if any of the above items can be retrofitted by an electrician later? Would that cost more? This will give us time to save up and when we are ready we can have them done.
WatchingStarredHistory
MembersPros
Browse Forums Lighting + Lighting Design  22 Feb 2019 584 Gold Member Re: Cost to pre wire home for smart home system with builder 3Mar 01, 2024 9:23 pm That’s lots of complex stuff you are asking for, gets expensive quick with a project builder, you really need a custom builder who lets you or your trade have access for this. I did about 20 blinds, 40 data points including 6 POE cameras etc, $17k not unreasonable for rough in but not cheap. Lots of switches and probably a few km of cable isn’t cheap either. 28 Jun 2022 18 Junior Member Re: Cost to pre wire home for smart home system with builder 4Mar 02, 2024 6:26 am  PulseThat’s lots of complex stuff you are asking for, gets expensive quick with a project builder, you really need a custom builder who lets you or your trade have access for this. I did about 20 blinds, 40 data points including 6 POE cameras etc, $17k not unreasonable for rough in but not cheap. Lots of switches and probably a few km of cable isn’t cheap either. Hi, thanks for your reply. This quote is in addition to the electrical plan we have already customised and paid for in the included contract/plan. For example, the light switches would have been provided and installed by the same builder anyway. We were just bringing in an external contractor to provide design and the “smart” light switches that we wanted. I would have thought the wiring part is the same, just a different light switch. And same for the garage controller - they would have installed a garage controller for us anyway but we wanted a controller that we could control using Bluetooth/smart phone. So again I would have thought the wiring be the same but a different controller? Indeed the blinds and curtains switches have not been included as part of the plan previously so I understand there will be a cost for it. I just couldn’t justify paying this much for “wiring” of smart features that I assumed would have been the same wire/cable whether or not they are “smart switches” hence the question. This is through a custom builder and they generally do not allow external contractors Thanks 22 Feb 2019 584 Gold Member Re: Cost to pre wire home for smart home system with builder 5Mar 02, 2024 9:57 pm I’d consider somfy rechargeable motors, that will save some money and maybe run the other cables yourself, a custom builder should be fine with that, just make it clear that your work is unwarranted. 28 Jun 2022 18 Junior Member Re: Cost to pre wire home for smart home system with builder 6Mar 03, 2024 3:43 pm PulseI’d consider somfy rechargeable motors, that will save some money and maybe run the other cables yourself, a custom builder should be fine with that, just make it clear that your work is unwarranted. We already paid for somfy motors for the blinds. The quote above was purely for “pre-wiring” so the blinds company can install the motors and blinds. That’s why we find this excessive Post a copy of the quote so we can see what they are including for the $2k 4 29855  Shelly switches require a paid subscription for full access to all features which is ridiulous given the lifespan of a home and if you were to sell it or buy a home with… 2 26721 I've got Ubiquiti throughout our house for ethernet / wifi / cameras / sensor lights / doorbell 2 51779  |
