Smart Home Installation Costs in the UK

Typical UK costs for installing smart speakers, thermostats, lighting, doorbells and cameras, with what is DIY-friendly and what needs a professional.

Smart home gadgets are sold as simple plug-and-play, and many are. The costs creep in when something needs wiring, drilling or a network that can cope with a dozen new connected devices. Here is a practical way to budget.

Typical costs by device

These are rough ranges for supply of typical consumer equipment and the labour to fit it. They vary by region, product and property.

Device	Equipment	Installation labour
Smart speaker or display	£30 to £200	Usually DIY, around £30 to £60 if set up for you
Smart bulbs and plugs	£10 to £30 each	DIY, or around £40 to £80 for a whole-home set-up
Smart doorbell (battery)	£60 to £250	Around £40 to £80
Smart doorbell (wired into existing bell)	£60 to £250	Around £60 to £120
Security cameras (each)	£40 to £200	Around £50 to £150 each, more if cabled
Smart thermostat	£100 to £250	Around £80 to £200, often needing a qualified heating or electrical professional
Smart locks	£100 to £300	Around £50 to £120

What drives labour costs

Wiring. Anything connected to mains or to a heating system should be dealt with by someone competent. A smart thermostat that replaces a wired one involves your boiler controls.
Drilling and cable runs. Outdoor cameras and doorbells may need holes through walls or conduit.
Network readiness. Many devices need a strong Wi-Fi signal where they are mounted. A weak signal on the front porch can mean you need an extender first. Our guide on fixing Wi-Fi dead spots is a useful starting point.
Number of devices. Setting up fifteen items takes longer than two, but a good technician becomes quicker per item.
Integration. Making a speaker, lights and heating work together via routines takes time to plan.

DIY or professional?

A helpful way to decide:

DIY-friendly: smart bulbs, plugs, speakers, battery doorbells, plug-in cameras.
Consider professional help: anything involving mains wiring, boiler controls, outdoor cabling or fixing at height.
Always check permissions if you rent or live in a leasehold flat, as external fixings or cameras facing shared areas can breach agreements and raise neighbour concerns.

Any work involving fixed electrical installation should be carried out by a suitably qualified person. This article is general information and not professional advice.

Hidden and ongoing costs

Subscriptions. Cloud video storage, advanced alerts and extended history often cost around a few pounds a month per device.
Hubs and bridges. Some ecosystems need an extra hub.
Replacement batteries for wireless devices.
Electricity, which is minor but not zero for always-on cameras.
Lock-in. Mixing ecosystems can limit what talks to what, so decide on your main platform early.

Privacy and security basics

Every connected device is a small computer on your network. Use unique passwords, turn on two-factor authentication on the accounts and keep firmware updated. Our articles on smart doorbell and camera setup and smart speaker privacy go into the details.

Getting it done

You can find help on Compito by searching your postcode, comparing ID-verified local providers and sending a request that lists the devices and where they will go. You receive an offer, accept and pay online, and message the provider to confirm what is included. See tech support services for options.

A worked example: a starter set-up

Picture a three-bedroom house where the owner wants a battery video doorbell, a smart thermostat, two indoor cameras and a handful of smart bulbs. Equipment might come to roughly £350 to £800 depending on choices. Installation labour could add around £150 to £400, with the thermostat and the doorbell being the biggest items. Add a few pounds a month if cloud video history is wanted. The total sounds large, but most of it is equipment you would pay for whether or not you hired anyone.

Plan before you buy

List what problem you want solved. Security, saving on heating, or convenience lead to different purchases.
Pick one main ecosystem. Check that new gadgets work with the speaker or app you already use.
Check your Wi-Fi where each device will sit. Cameras and doorbells are the fussiest.
Check power. Wired devices need an outlet or existing wiring nearby.
Ask your landlord or freeholder if the device will be fixed to the outside of the building.

Common mistakes

Buying a mixed bag of cheap devices that do not talk to each other.
Fitting a camera that points at a neighbour's garden or window, which can cause disputes and legal questions about privacy.
Leaving default passwords on cameras and hubs.
Skipping the app updates that fix security problems.
Assuming the installer will explain how it all works. Ask for a short walkthrough.

Flats, renters and older homes

Renters should favour devices that need no drilling and no changes to wiring, such as plug-in cameras, smart plugs and bulbs. In older properties with thick walls, a hub or a mesh point may be needed to reach the garden or garage. Properties with old or unusual wiring are a good reason to bring in a qualified person before fitting anything connected to the mains.

When to bring in a qualified professional

Anything touching fixed electrical wiring, the boiler or heating controls belongs with someone competent in that trade. Gadget set-up and app configuration can come from a tech support technician, but they should say clearly where their work ends.

Frequently asked questions

Do smart devices work if the internet goes down?

Many lose cloud features such as remote viewing and voice assistants, though some local functions like a bulb switch may still work. Check how each product behaves offline before relying on it for security.

Is a smart home worth the cost?

It depends on what you want. Heating control and lighting schedules can be genuinely convenient, while gadgets bought for novelty often go unused. Starting small and expanding is a sensible approach.

Can a technician set up devices I have already bought?

Generally yes. Provide the model names in your request so the offer reflects the work involved.

Find tech support providers near you

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