One of the first questions our clients ask is: "How much does it actually cost?" That is understandable, since a smart home is a significant investment and every responsible homeowner wants to know what to expect. The answer, as with most major investments in a property, is not one-dimensional, because it depends on a range of factors, from the size of the house and the chosen system to the level of automation and the quality of the equipment.
At Elko, we take pride in our transparency. As a smart home automation company from Rijeka, we have worked on projects ranging from affordable basic packages to complete luxury automation of coastal villas. In this guide, we break down all the costs, provide concrete price ranges, and explain where it pays to economize and where it absolutely does not.
What Makes Up the Cost of a Smart Home?
The cost of a smart home is not a single, one-dimensional item. It is made up of several key components that together form the total investment.
1. System design
Every quality smart home begins with a detailed design. Our design team analyzes the floor plan, discusses your needs and wishes with you, defines the control zones, and selects the optimal components from our portfolio, from Control4 controllers to Gira or Vimar switches, from Hikvision cameras to Bose audio systems.
The cost of design in Croatia ranges roughly from 1,000 to 3,000 euros for a standard family home, and for more complex properties it can be higher. This investment is absolutely worthwhile, because a well-conceived design saves money in every later phase and prevents costly mistakes. From our experience, projects that begin without detailed documentation end up costing 20 to 40 percent more than those that are properly planned from the start.
2. Equipment and components
This is the most variable item, because the cost depends on the chosen system, the manufacturer, and the number of devices. At Elko, we work with premium brands in every category, but that does not mean every project has to be in the luxury segment. It is precisely the breadth of our portfolio, from Schneider Electric components that offer an excellent price-to-quality ratio, to Gira and Ekinex designer switches for the most demanding interiors, that allows us to tailor the equipment to any budget.
The equipment typically includes a central control unit (in our case most often Control4), actuators and modules for lighting, roller shutters, and heating (Zennio, Ekinex, Eelectron, Schneider Electric, Vimar), switches and control panels (Gira, Vimar, Ekinex), CoolAutomation modules for air conditioning integration, network infrastructure (MikroTik, Ruijie Reyee, Ubiquiti, Araknis), audio equipment (Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Triad Audio, Episode, Cabasse, Marantz, Denon), and security systems (Hikvision, Luma, ClareVision, Ajax).
3. Electrical installations and cabling
In new construction, smart installations require additional cabling compared with standard electrical installations. In addition to conventional wiring, KNX BUS cables are introduced for communication between devices, along with extra cables for motorized roller shutters and blinds (power to each window), network (LAN) cables for IP systems, cameras, audio streamers, and access points, and power supply for sensors and actuators.
This cost is considerably lower if the smart home is planned from the very start of construction. The advice we repeat to every client: even if your budget does not currently allow for full automation, run all the cables during construction. The cost of one extra cable while the walls are open is negligible compared with breaking into the walls later.
4. Installation and programming
Professional installation and programming of the system make up a significant part of the total cost. Our team not only physically installs the equipment, but also programs the Control4 scenes, sets up the automations, integrates all the subsystems (audio, video surveillance, air conditioning), and fine-tunes everything to your habits and wishes.
This item usually amounts to 20 to 35 percent of the total project cost. Trying to economize on installation and programming almost always backfires, since an improperly installed or poorly programmed system frustrates rather than simplifies life.
5. Maintenance
Ongoing maintenance of a smart home is relatively low-cost, usually around 200 to 500 euros per year for periodic checks, software updates, and minor adjustments. Quality systems such as the Control4 and KNX equipment we use are designed to run trouble-free for years. At Elko, we offer annual maintenance packages that include regular system checks and priority technical support.
How Much Does a Smart Home Cost in Croatia? Concrete Prices
Based on our completed projects and current prices on the Croatian market in 2025 and 2026, here are three typical scenarios for a family home of 150 to 200 square meters.
Basic package: 5,000 to 10,000 EUR
The basic smart home package we install at Elko includes a Control4 central unit with a mobile control app, smart lighting control in the main rooms via Schneider Electric or Vimar modules, several motion and temperature sensors, basic air conditioning integration via CoolAutomation, and a basic Ajax alarm system.
This is an ideal entry package for those who want to experience the advantages of a smart home without a large initial investment. The system can be gradually upgraded with new devices and features, and this is exactly where the strength of the Control4 platform lies: you add modules and expand the system at your own pace, without any need to replace existing equipment.
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Mid-range package: 10,000 to 25,000 EUR
The mid-range package offers significantly broader functionality and is the most frequent choice among our clients in Rijeka and the surrounding area. It includes a Control4 system with one or two touch screens, complete lighting control throughout the house via Zennio, Ekinex, or Gira modules, motorized roller shutters or blinds with automatic scenes, integrated zoned heating and cooling control with CoolAutomation, Hikvision or Luma video surveillance with three to six cameras, an Ajax alarm system with full Control4 integration, and multiroom audio in two to three spaces with Bose or Episode speakers.
This is the level of automation that brings a real change to everyday life. In the morning you are woken by the gradual raising of the roller shutters and a gentle increase in the lighting, when you leave for work a single touch deactivates the entire home, and on your return you are welcomed by a pleasant temperature and your favorite music.
Premium package: 25,000 to 70,000+ EUR
The premium package represents complete home automation with no compromise. It includes an advanced Control4 system with multiple touch screens and full KNX integration, complete lighting control with Gira or Ekinex designer switches and dimming in all rooms, motorized roller shutters, blinds, and awnings with automatic tracking of the sun and weather conditions, zoned heating and cooling with advanced CoolAutomation control, an integrated security system with Hikvision or ClareVision HD cameras, an Ajax alarm, and smart locks, a professional multiroom audio and video system with Bowers & Wilkins, Triad Audio, or Cabasse speakers and Marantz or Denon amplifiers, automatic energy management including integration with solar panels, and control of the pool, irrigation, and outdoor systems.
For larger and more complex properties, such as luxury coastal villas with a pool and extensive grounds, the cost of a premium system can reach 100,000 euros and more, especially if it includes a high-quality Bowers & Wilkins or Triad Audio home cinema, advanced security systems, and full integration of all home systems.
Price Comparison by the Systems We Use
KNX equipment (Gira, Schneider Electric, Zennio, Ekinex, Vimar, Eelectron)
KNX components form the backbone of most of our wired installations. The cost of equipment per room usually ranges between 800 and 2,500 euros, depending on the number of functions and the level of design. For example, equipping a living room with dimmable lighting (three circuits), motorized roller shutters (two windows), a temperature sensor, and a switch would cost roughly 1,200 to 2,000 euros for the equipment alone, depending on whether you choose a functional Schneider Electric switch or a designer Gira or Ekinex switch.
A major advantage of the KNX system is interoperability, since you can combine Zennio actuators with Gira switches and Eelectron sensors without any compatibility problems, because they all adhere to the same standard.
The Control4 platform
Control4 licensing and equipment form the heart of our systems. A basic Control4 package with a controller and mobile app starts at roughly 1,500 euros, while a complete system with multiple touch screens, an advanced processor, and licenses for all integrations can reach 5,000 to 10,000 euros. What makes Control4 valuable is its ability to bring KNX devices, audio systems, cameras, alarms, and air conditioning together into a single interface, so that instead of a dozen apps, you have one.
Audio equipment
The price range for audio equipment is wide and depends on your expectations for sound. A practical multiroom system with Episode or Bose in-wall speakers for four rooms ranges from 3,000 to 6,000 euros. A mid-range system with Bose or Cabasse speakers and Denon electronics costs between 6,000 and 15,000 euros. For audiophile installations with Bowers & Wilkins or Triad Audio speakers and Marantz amplifiers, the budget starts at 15,000 euros and goes up from there, with no upper limit.
Security systems
An Ajax alarm system for a standard family home with motion, opening, and smoke detectors usually costs from 1,000 to 2,500 euros. Video surveillance with Hikvision, Luma, or ClareVision cameras (four to eight cameras, a recorder, and a monitor) ranges from 2,000 to 6,000 euros, depending on the camera resolution and recording capacity.
Network infrastructure
A professional network infrastructure, which we consider a prerequisite for any serious smart home, costs from 1,000 to 4,000 euros. That includes a router or firewall (MikroTik or Ubiquiti), a network switch, access points (Ruijie Reyee, Ubiquiti, or Araknis) for full Wi-Fi coverage, and professional cabling and configuration. For remote locations without a quality internet connection, Starlink satellite internet adds roughly 500 euros for the equipment plus a monthly subscription.
How Does a Smart Home Affect the Total Cost of Construction?
If you are building a new house, installing a smart system represents an additional cost on top of the overall construction investment. According to current data, the average cost of building a family home in Croatia ranges from about 1,000 to 1,500 euros per square meter for a turnkey system. For a 150-square-meter house, that means a total cost of roughly 150,000 to 225,000 euros.
Installing our mid-range smart home package adds roughly 7 to 12 percent to that amount, while a premium system can raise the total cost by 15 to 25 percent. Concretely, for a 150-square-meter house, smart installations add between 10,000 and 50,000 euros to the total investment.
It is important to note, and we emphasize this to all clients who contact us during the construction phase, that planning smart installations from the very start is considerably more affordable than installing them afterward. When the installations are planned together with the design of the house, it is much easier for the electrician to run the necessary cables while the walls are open. Retrofitting a wired system into a finished house can cost up to 50 percent more because of the construction work required.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
From many years of experience, we know that when planning a smart home budget, there are several costs that are easily overlooked.
A quality network infrastructure. This is the item people most often try to economize on, and most often regret it. A smart home requires stable, reliable Wi-Fi and a wired network backbone. A professional solution with MikroTik or Ubiquiti equipment and Ruijie Reyee or Araknis access points costs an additional 1,000 to 4,000 euros, but it is absolutely essential for flawless system operation. A home router from an electronics store simply is not enough for a home with fifty or more connected devices.
A UPS, uninterruptible power supply. An uninterruptible power supply ensures that the smart home keeps functioning even during brief power outages. This is especially important for security systems, since the Ajax alarm and Hikvision cameras must work even when there is no power. The cost of a quality UPS ranges from 300 to 1,000 euros.
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Adjustments after installation. After installation, the system is usually fine-tuned during the first weeks of use, because only then does it become clear which scenes work well in practice and which need to be adjusted to your actual habits. At Elko, we include this adjustment period in the project price, because we believe a system is finished only when you control it without a second thought.
Future upgrades. A smart home is a living system that grows with your needs. Budget between 500 and 2,000 euros per year for new devices, updates, and expansions. The beauty of the Control4 platform is that an upgrade does not require replacing the core of the system, since you simply add new modules and devices.
Savings: How Much Does a Smart Home Give Back?
Energy savings
Smart control of heating and cooling, especially with CoolAutomation integration that enables precise zoned control, can reduce energy bills by 20 to 30 percent. For an average Croatian household that spends around 1,500 to 2,500 euros per year on heating, that means savings of 300 to 750 euros every year. Smart lighting, automatic switching-off of unnecessary lights, and consumption optimization can save an additional 5 to 15 percent on electricity.
Increasing the value of the property
A smart home with a quality, professionally installed system increases the market value of the property. On developed markets, it is estimated that a smart home can raise a property's value by 3 to 8 percent, which for a home worth 300,000 euros means an additional 9,000 to 24,000 euros. On the Croatian luxury property market, especially along the coast, this effect is becoming ever more pronounced, since foreign buyers expect the level of automation they are used to in their home countries.
Damage prevention
Systems for detecting floods, gas leaks, or fire, integrated into the Ajax alarm system and the Control4 platform, can prevent damage that would otherwise cost thousands or tens of thousands of euros. A single prevented incident can cover a significant part of the investment in a smart home.
Insurance savings
Some insurers offer lower premiums for homes equipped with certified security and fire protection systems, which represents an additional annual saving. It is definitely worth contacting your insurer and inquiring about possible discounts.
How to Optimize Your Smart Home Budget?
If a smart home seems out of reach for your budget, here are strategies we suggest to clients every day.
Phased implementation. You do not have to do everything at once. Start with the Control4 core, lighting control, and an Ajax alarm, and add the audio system, video surveillance, and multiroom music in the next phase. The key is for the initial installation to be planned for future expansion: run all the necessary cables from the very start, even if you will not use them all yet. At Elko, we plan every project with future growth in mind.
Prioritize by ROI. Install first the features that deliver the greatest savings, heating and cooling control via CoolAutomation and smart lighting. These investments pay for themselves fastest through lower energy bills.
Combine price categories. Within the same project, you can use Schneider Electric components in less visible spaces (garage, storage room, hallways) and Gira or Ekinex designer switches in the living room and bedroom. The result is a system that looks luxurious where it matters and saves money where it does not.
Ask for a complete quote. By engaging a single company for the entire project, from design to installation and programming, you get better overall terms than when you separately hire an electrician, an audio technician, a security company, and a programmer. At Elko, we offer exactly this comprehensive approach, because we know that integrating all the systems requires one vision and one accountable team.
The Marine Program: A Smart Home at Sea
For boat owners, we offer a specialized marine program that brings all the advantages of a smart home to a boat or yacht. Prices for the marine program range from roughly 5,000 euros for a basic system with Control4 control, Starlink internet, and a Garmin Fusion Audio system, to 30,000 euros and more for complete automation with Bowers & Wilkins or JL Audio premium sound and Rockford Fosgate amplifiers.
What sets the marine program apart is the use of equipment certified for maritime conditions, resistant to salt, moisture, vibration, and temperature extremes. The Control4 platform works just as reliably on a vessel as in a house on land, and Starlink satellite internet ensures connectivity even in the middle of the Adriatic.
Is a Smart Home a Worthwhile Investment?
Our answer, based on years of experience and feedback from our clients, is an unequivocal yes. The combination of energy savings, increased security, damage prevention, increased property value, and improved quality of life makes a smart home one of the most sensible investments you can make in your home.
The key is to choose the right level of automation for your needs and budget, to work with an experienced integrator who will design a system tailored to your way of life, and to plan for the long term, with an infrastructure that allows future upgrades without major costs.
At Elko, we are here to help you through this process, from the first conversation about ideas, through a detailed quote with a transparent breakdown of costs, to installation, programming, and many years of support. Contact us for a free consultation and find out how much your smart home would cost.
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