About this job
What is home automation, and what can it do for you?
Home automation means automating and centralising control of functions in the home: lighting, blinds and shutters, heating and ventilation, and sometimes security, access and energy management. You control it with a button, an app or your voice. The idea is simple: comfort, convenience and a lower energy bill, without technology for technology's sake. Lighting that comes on when you arrive home, switches that do what you expect, and systems that talk to each other reliably.
Technically there are two main routes. Wired bus systems such as KNX use a separate data cable, independent of the 230 V supply: highly reliable and future-proof, but suited to new builds or renovations where the walls are already open. Wireless systems communicate via radio protocols such as Zigbee, Z-Wave and increasingly Thread, linked to an app via a hub: ideal for an existing home without any building work. The key advice: choose a system that suits your home and lay the foundations properly, rather than stacking up individual gadgets.
Warning signs
When is home automation worth considering?
Smart living pays off most at the right moment. If you recognise any of these situations, it is a good time to think about it.
New build or renovation
Are the walls and ceilings already open? That is the moment to run cabling for KNX or extra cores at the same time. Adding it later is considerably more expensive.
Comfort and ambience
Lighting scenes, blinds that follow the sun, one button press when you arrive or leave. You can start small and expand gradually.
Smart energy use
Presence and daylight control for lighting, and running appliances when the sun is shining or electricity is cheap. Particularly relevant heading towards 2027.
Expanding your installation
Getting an EV charger, heat pump or solar panels, or upgrading to three-phase? Smart energy management often comes with it in one go.
A mess of separate gadgets
Devices that do not talk to each other, or too many apps on your phone? A signal to consolidate into one system that works together.
Reliability first
You do not want a system that fails without internet. We deliberately choose devices that demonstrably work together and continue to function locally at a basic level.
How we work
How we approach it
From your wishes to a system that simply works: clear, professional and without fuss.
- 1
Intake and needs analysis
We discuss what you want to achieve and look at your home. Existing or new build, wired or wireless: you get honest advice on what fits.
- 2
Design and fixed price
We choose the system and materials and put everything in writing. You receive a quote with a fixed price upfront, no surprises afterwards.
- 3
Installation and programming
We lay cabling and circuits, fit switches, sensors and actuators, and programme the system. KNX includes configuration with the system software.
- 4
Demonstration and handover
We test everything, hand over neatly and explain how to use the controls, including strong passwords and updates. So you know exactly how your home works.
Good to know
The technical side, in plain English
A few choices that often raise questions with home automation. We explain them calmly so you can make an informed decision.
Home automation: which system should you choose?
The core choice is wired or wireless. Wired bus systems such as KNX are a manufacturer-independent standard: the components are connected via a separate data cable, independent of the 230 V supply. This is highly reliable, expandable and future-proof, making it ideal for a new build or major renovation. The drawback is that the cabling must be installed during the build, so retrofitting is expensive.
Wireless systems use radio protocols. Zigbee and Z-Wave are energy-efficient mesh networks, Wi-Fi is used for individual devices and Thread is increasingly common. A hub or gateway links everything to an app. The advantage is that no walls need opening, which makes wireless the logical choice for an existing home. The drawback is greater dependence on a stable network and on the manufacturer's app or cloud. Brands you encounter include Loxone, Niko Home Control, Gira, Homey and Shelly. We give straightforward advice on what suits your home and wishes.
Does home automation work in an existing home?
Yes. Wireless systems and smart switches in existing wall boxes are designed precisely for existing homes, without any building work. You can start small with the lighting or blinds and expand gradually. Wired systems such as KNX make most sense for new builds or renovations where the walls are already open.
With wireless systems, pay attention to cross-brand compatibility. Since the introduction of the open connectivity standard Matter, backed by Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung among others, brands are increasingly working across the boundaries of their own ecosystems. Matter is growing, but in 2026 it does not yet cover all device types. That is why we deliberately choose devices that demonstrably work together and test the combination in advance, rather than stacking up separate gadgets.
Smart bulbs or smart switches?
Smart lighting can be done in two ways. Smart bulbs are controllable per lamp and easy to replace, but the ordinary wall switch must remain on. Smart switches and dimmers sit in the wall box and control an entire circuit, even with ordinary bulbs. That is neater and more reliable, and it is fixed 230 V installation work.
With dimmers the fit is important: a dimmer must match the load, for example the correct LED-compatible dimmer to prevent flickering or overheating. Everything that touches the fixed 230 V installation, from switches in the wall box to extra circuits, falls under NEN 1010 and belongs with a professional installer. Plug-in equipment with CE marking and smart bulbs you may install yourself.
Wired or wireless: the differences at a glance
Two routes to a smart home, each with its own strengths. This comparison helps you choose a direction. At the intake we decide together what fits.
| Feature | Wired (KNX) | Wireless (Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi) |
|---|---|---|
| Suited to | New build or renovation | Existing home without building work |
| Reliability | Very high, dedicated data cable | Good, depends on network |
| Expandable | Very good, future-proof | Good, per device |
| Internet required | No for basic functions | Basic functions local, app remotely yes |
| Retrofit | Expensive, cabling needed | Simple, no building work |
| Cost | Roughly double | More affordable entry level |
Indicative comparison based on 2026 market data. The right choice depends on your home, your wishes and whether the walls are open.
Price
What does home automation cost?
The price depends heavily on wired or wireless, the number of points and functions, the brand and whether the walls are open. That is why we look first, then give you a fixed price upfront via quote. Below is an indication per scenario.
Common extras:
- Automating blinds, shutters or curtains
- Smart thermostat and heating control
- Integration with EV charger, solar panels or home battery
- Luxury home or villa: full KNX from € 15,000
Price guide
Fixed price upfront| Wireless smart home starter package, including basic installation | € 300 to € 1,000 |
| Smart flush-mounted switch or dimmer, including installation | € 100 to € 250 per unit |
| Smart lighting per light point, including fitting | € 25 to € 100 per point |
| Set of 10 smart bulbs installed | € 250 to € 450 |
| Full KNX home automation in a new-build home | € 7,500 to € 12,500 |
Indicative prices incl. VAT. You will always receive a tailored quote.
Related services
Often done together
A smart home stands or falls with a solid foundation. These services often go with it.
Outdoor lighting installation
Smart outdoor and garden lighting that comes on by time or motion, neatly installed and connected.
More infoSocket and switch
Smart or extra sockets and switches, professionally built into the fixed installation.
More infoElectrical installation
Cabling and circuits as the foundation of a smart home, installed correctly from the start to NEN 1010.
More infoConnect solar panels
Want to use your own generated power smartly? We connect your panels and help think through the control.
More infoWhy Brabant Elektra
Certified, insured and guaranteed
All our engineers are qualified and work to the NEN 1010 standard. We give a 2-year guarantee on all our work. Reliable work you can count on.
Frequently asked questions
Good to know
Service area
Home automation installation in Noord-Brabant
Brabant is in the middle of the energy transition. More and more homes are getting solar panels, an EV charger or a heat pump, and that is exactly when smart control becomes interesting: running appliances when you have your own solar power or electricity is cheap. This becomes particularly relevant now the net-metering scheme ends on 1 January 2027 and your own consumption carries more weight. We are happy to help, from new-build estates to farmhouses in the countryside.
For ordinary home automation the grid operator does not need to be involved. If a heavier connection is required, for example an upgrade to three-phase or a large EV charger, we handle the application with Enexis, the grid operator for most of Noord-Brabant. Due to network congestion there can be a waiting time, so we submit the application in good time.
Service area
Across Noord-Brabant
From major cities to smaller towns, active in:
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