Despite my knowledge of smart home devices, I still feel intimidated to build an automated, affordable smart home myself So it is only natural that readers who are even less experienced than I am would look to a professionally installed system

One reader did After seeing my DIY Smart Home series, and being quoted $6,000 for a smart home control system, he asked what I thought

The reader told me that he had been quoted a Control4 system, priced according to the amount of control panels and connected devices needed; Control4 is a high-end smart home platform that includes not only lights and locks, but also intercom, A/V systems, home theaters, and everything else in the home can be connected In addition, Control4 will send a certified installer to set up a smart system for you

There are several scenarios where it makes total sense to invest in a Control4 system Homeowners with a large space and many devices, but no time or interest in connecting everything themselves, may appreciate Control4's services Frequent businesses and busy offices are also prime candidates for a professional setup

Based on the information you shared with me, it appears that readers are not Control4's target customers They are interested in a "system for an easy smart home" for a new beachside property they plan to rent

The reader even provides a short list of products they would like to connect in the home They wanted a system that could manage smart door locks, smart thermostats, motion sensors, and "possibly" a couple of cameras for the driveway and ocean view

No doubt, they wanted to see how much it would cost to create a Control4-type experience using commercially available smart home devices, not because they wanted to secure a summer beach rental

The heart of Control4 and other professionally installed smart home systems is the control panel, which can manage everything in the house The most appropriate DIY analog is the Brilliant Smart Home controller, a touchscreen smart switch that not only turns lights on and off, but can also be used to manage other smart devices in the house, such as smart speakers and smart plugs 3-gang panel is $399, but you can get a single switch panel for $299 When I installed smart switches instead of smart lights, this was one of the things I splurged on

By comparison, the Control4 entry-level wall panel and entry-level tablet are both $950, but if you only need one or the other, these are the only two available Personally, I prefer the stationary wall-mounted screen, but may be attracted to the flexibility that Control4's tablet allows Of course, the Brilliant app turns any smartphone into a kind of mobile smart home remote control

If wiring is not your thing, you'll also need an electrician to replace your standard switches with the Brilliant panel, but you should still save at least $200

Next, the reader specifically said he was familiar with the $250 Ecobee SmartThermostat My Honeywell Home model costs $79 and is also compatible with the Brilliant, but has fewer features than the Ecobee; Control4 offers only one thermostat option, the Aprilea wireless thermostat for $345

The reader also mentioned that he has used Schlage smart locks in the past The Schlange Encode I use in my smart home costs $250; the Control4 "door station" is said to cost between $1,295 and $16,000

However, the Control4 door station has an intercom feature that also works like a video doorbell If readers want a video doorbell, they can buy Ring's; the Ring Video Doorbell Wired costs only $60; the $229 Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus would have features comparable to the Control4 option

As far as motion sensors go, the Ring Home Alarm Security Kit makes the most sense It includes one pack of motion sensors, plus an alarm base station, alarm keypad, and indoor security camera for $299 Control4, on the other hand, is asking $108 per motion sensor

Also, Brilliant's partnerships are a bit limited in the area of security cameras Currently, only Ring cameras can be viewed through the Brilliant app or the Brilliant panel Readers should be aware that the $250 Ring Floodlight Cam or $200 Ring Spotlight Cam is required to use the Brilliant Control Panel, and no other security cameras are required

This Control4 price list I referenced does not include the cost of the security camera

Total time: a DIY job with Brilliant would cost about $1,600, while the Control4 product would cost at least $3,000 This falls short of the reader's $6,000 estimate, but does not include the cost of security cameras and service fees

I have identified many similarities between my smart home needs and the reader's needs I do not intend to rent my home, but I do want to organize the numerous devices I have under one umbrella

With Brilliant's platform, I don't have to be a smart home expert, but I also don't have to pay a smart home expert to set me up At least that's how I feel When I'm at home, I can use the physical panel to adjust lighting and sound When I'm out and about, my Brilliant account is integrated with a compatible company smart home device, so I can use the Brilliant app (and only the Brilliant app) to make adjustments and create scenes

Again, if you want less setup hassle and more automation, a system like Control4 is a great option They are not cheap, so you have to ask yourself how much is a professionally installed smart home worth

For more gadget recommendations, be sure to check out my guide to the best smart home devices (and the best inexpensive smart home devices) If there's anything you'd like me to cover about the connected space, please email me at katekozuch@futurenetcom or leave a comment below