Pricing Guide
Savant Home Automation Cost in Charlotte (2026)
What does Savant home automation cost? Real installed pricing — by home size, by scope, and compared with Control4 and Lutron — drawn from luxury projects across the Charlotte metro area.
11 min read · Updated September 2026
How Much Does a Savant System Cost? Pricing by Tier
A Savant home automation system costs $30,000 to $350,000+ installed in 2026. Focused installations run $30,000–$60,000, whole-home systems $60,000–$150,000, and full estate systems $150,000–$350,000+.
| Tier | Home Size | Cost Range | Typical Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focused Installation | 2,000–3,500 sq ft | $30,000 – $60,000 | Lighting control in primary living areas, 1–2 audio zones, Savant Pro app |
| Whole-Home System | 3,500–6,000 sq ft | $60,000 – $150,000 | Whole-home lighting and shading, 6–12 audio zones, media room, enterprise Wi-Fi |
| Estate System | 6,000–15,000+ sq ft | $150,000 – $350,000+ | Full lighting, shading and climate, 15–30+ zones, private cinema, multi-structure integration |
Estimate Your Savant Budget
Three questions, based on real Charlotte-metro project pricing. Planning ranges only — every project begins with a documented design proposal.
Planning range
$75K – $150K
≈ $24 per sq ft
Every range above becomes a documented, line-item proposal for your specific home — no obligation.
Request System DesignFocused Installation
2,000–3,500 sq ft
$30,000 – $60,000
- ✦ Lighting control in primary living areas
- ✦ Single-zone or 2-zone audio
- ✦ Basic Savant automation (scenes, scheduling)
- ✦ Savant Pro app configuration
- ✦ 1–2 Savant keypads
- ✦ Network assessment
Whole-Home System
3,500–6,000 sq ft
$60,000 – $150,000
- ✦ Whole-home lighting and shading control
- ✦ Multi-zone distributed audio (6–12 zones)
- ✦ Savant Metropolitan keypads throughout
- ✦ Home theater / media room integration
- ✦ Security camera integration
- ✦ Enterprise Wi-Fi upgrade
- ✦ Climate control integration
Estate System
6,000–15,000+ sq ft
$150,000 – $350,000+
- ✦ Comprehensive lighting, shading, and climate
- ✦ 15–30+ audio zones including outdoor
- ✦ Multiple Savant touch panels
- ✦ Private cinema with full Savant control
- ✦ Whole-property security and access control
- ✦ Savant Energy Module
- ✦ Multi-structure integration (pool house, guest house)
- ✦ Dedicated equipment room with custom rack
Estate Tier: Hardware vs Labor
Where a $150,000–$350,000+ estate budget actually goes. On estate-scale Savant projects, equipment is roughly 60–65% of the installed figure; the balance is design, programming, rack building, and commissioning labor.
| Budget Component | Share of Budget | Typical Range | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware & equipment | 60–65% | $95,000 – $225,000 | Hosts, keypads, touch panels, Ketra/USAII lighting, shading motors, amplifiers, speakers, cinema, network, rack |
| Design & engineering | 8–10% | $12,000 – $35,000 | System design, lighting load schedules, drawings, coordination with architect and builder |
| Programming & commissioning | 15–20% | $22,000 – $70,000 | Savant programming, scene design, Ketra tuning, network configuration, testing and handover |
| Installation labor | 10–15% | $15,000 – $52,000 | Cable pulling, device mounting, rack building, fixture and shade installation |
| Component | New Construction (Pre-Wired) | Retrofit (Existing Home) | Why It Differs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware & equipment | 65–70% of budget | 55–62% of budget | Equipment cost is fixed; retrofit labor grows, shrinking hardware's share |
| Cable routing & installation | 8–10% | 15–22% | Open framing vs fishing wire through finished plaster and masonry |
| Programming & commissioning | 15–18% | 15–20% | Similar scope; retrofits add integration with existing systems |
| Design & engineering | 6–8% | 8–12% | Retrofits require as-built documentation and patching plans |
Retrofit estates shift 5–10% of budget from hardware into labor for plaster and masonry cable routing; pre-wired new construction does the reverse.
Savant vs Control4 vs Lutron: Cost Comparison
For the same 4,000 sq ft home, a Savant system typically lands 15–30% above a comparable Control4 system, while a Lutron-only lighting and shading package costs less because it covers a narrower scope.
| Platform | Typical Installed Cost | Scope Covered | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savant | $60,000 – $150,000 | Lighting, shading, audio, video, climate, energy | Luxury homes wanting one refined interface and Apple-ecosystem control |
| Control4 | $45,000 – $110,000 | Lighting, audio, video, climate, security | Broad device compatibility on a tighter budget |
| Lutron (lighting + shading only) | $25,000 – $80,000 | Lighting control and motorized shading | Homeowners prioritising light and shade, paired with a separate AV system |
| Crestron | $80,000 – $200,000+ | Fully bespoke automation across every subsystem | Very large estates and commercial-grade bespoke engineering |
Ranges reflect comparable scope on a single property. Peters Audio Video designs and installs Savant and Lutron systems; the Control4 figures are included for planning comparison only.
Where the Savant Premium Goes
The 15–30% gap between Savant and Control4 buys three things homeowners notice daily. First, the interface: Savant's single app presents lighting, shading, audio, video and climate in one refined view, where multi-brand Control4 projects often surface several manufacturer apps. Second, the hardware: architectural keypads, proprietary lighting and machined faceplates are designed to disappear into the interior rather than read as technology. Third, the ecosystem: native Apple integration, spatial audio scenes and circadian lighting scenes are engineered into the platform rather than programmed around it.
Over a ten-year horizon the gap narrows further. Savant systems receive long-term platform support and can be reprogrammed as rooms change, so the initial premium amortizes across a system lifespan that routinely exceeds a decade. For a focused two-room project, Control4's lower entry cost is rational; at whole-home and estate scale, the daily interaction quality and support lifespan are why most of our Charlotte clients choose Savant.
Hardware-Level Comparison: Savant vs Control4
Budgets only make sense against the actual hardware each platform puts on the wall and in the rack. These are the components that drive the price difference on a typical Charlotte whole-home project.
| Subsystem | Savant Example | Control4 Example | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lighting keypads | Savant Echo or Metropolitan keypads, machined finishes, engraved buttons | Control4 configurable keypads, standard decora-style finishes | Savant runs roughly $400–$800 more per keypad location across 30–50 locations |
| Lighting fixtures | USAII architectural downlights and Ketra circadian lamps with native tuning | Third-party fixtures (DMF, WAC) integrated via drivers | Ketra/USAII adds roughly $1,200–$2,500 per fixture zone |
| User interface | Single Savant Pro app plus Savant Pro Remote X2 with voice control | Control4 app, Halo touch remote and manufacturer apps for some devices | Comparable hardware cost; Savant reduces programming hours on complex scenes |
| Audio distribution | Savant IP Audio with Artison or Sonance architectural speakers, native spatial scenes | Triad matrix amplifiers and speakers, or third-party matrix over drivers | Within 5–10% on comparable zone counts |
| Control processor & rack | Savant Pro Host with SmartSystem monitoring in a conditioned rack | EA-5 or Core 5 controller with remote monitoring | Savant rack infrastructure runs roughly $3,000–$6,000 higher at estate scale |
| Shading integration | Native Lutron shade control with Savant scene logic and circadian schedules | Lutron shades via integration driver with separate programming | Similar hardware cost; Savant reduces commissioning time on large shade counts |
The pattern across every row: where Control4 integrates third-party hardware through drivers, Savant either manufactures the component or engineers a native integration. That is the source of both the premium and the polish — fewer visible devices, one app, and scenes that hold up across a decade of daily use.
What a Savant System Costs in Charlotte
Across the Charlotte metro area, most Savant projects we design fall between $60,000 and $150,000. Newer construction in Ballantyne, Waxhaw and Marvin is usually pre-wired, which keeps labour lower. Established homes in Myers Park, Eastover and Dilworth often require retrofit routing through plaster and masonry, which adds 15–25% to the same scope. Lake Norman waterfront properties add outdoor audio, dock lighting and weather-rated equipment.
| Area | Typical Project | Installed Cost | Pricing Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballantyne / Waxhaw / Marvin | New construction, pre-wired during build | $85,000 – $140,000 | Pre-wiring saves roughly 20–30% versus the same scope as a retrofit |
| Myers Park / Eastover / Dilworth | Retrofit in 1920s–1950s construction | $95,000 – $150,000 | Plaster and masonry cable routing adds 15–25% |
| SouthPark / Foxcroft | Renovation or teardown rebuild | $80,000 – $130,000 | Phased scope is common on remodels; rough-in follows framing |
| Lake Norman waterfront | Estate with outdoor structures | $150,000 – $350,000+ | Weather-rated audio, dock lighting and multi-structure integration |
| Uptown & luxury condos | Focused installation, single residence | $35,000 – $65,000 | Building rules limit structural wiring; wireless shading and lighting are common |
For estate-scale configurations, budgets break down further: a dedicated private cinema with Sony 4K projection and Dolby Atmos typically adds $85,000–$250,000, Lutron Ketra circadian lighting adds roughly $1,200–$2,500 per fixture zone, full-property motorized shading runs $900–$3,500 per window, outdoor landscape audio for pool and terrace areas adds $12,000–$30,000, and a conditioned equipment room with custom racking, power management and remote monitoring adds $15,000–$40,000. Multi-structure estates — pool houses, guest houses and docks — add $20,000–$60,000 per structure for extended control and audio.
Myers Park Retrofit: Line-Item Example
A 5,800 sq ft 1930s Myers Park home, whole-home scope: hardware $58,000–$68,000 (Pro Host, 24 keypad locations, Ketra in primary rooms, 8 audio zones, enterprise network), retrofit cable routing through plaster and masonry $14,000–$22,000, programming and commissioning $18,000–$26,000, design and drawings $8,000–$12,000. Total installed: $96,000–$128,000. The retrofit premium is labor, not equipment.
Lake Norman Estate: Line-Item Example
A 9,400 sq ft Lake Norman waterfront estate with pool house and dock: hardware $165,000–$195,000 (two Pro Hosts, 40+ keypad locations, Ketra throughout, 18 audio zones, cinema, weather-rated outdoor audio), outdoor and multi-structure installation $28,000–$42,000, programming $38,000–$55,000, design and coordination $16,000–$24,000. Total installed: $247,000–$316,000. Outdoor structures add $20,000–$60,000 each.
For a figure specific to your plans, call 980-391-4956 or request a system design.
Charlotte Pricing Case Studies
Installed pricing varies by neighborhood and housing stock: Myers Park retrofits in 1920s–1930s homes run $96,000–$236,000 depending on plaster routing and estate scale; SouthPark renovations along the Fairview corridor typically land $142,000–$178,000; Ballantyne and Weddington new construction prices lowest per square foot ($118,000–$168,000) because pre-wiring eliminates retrofit labor; Lake Norman waterfront estates reach $247,000–$340,000 when pool houses, docks and landscape audio join the scope.
Three illustrative Charlotte-area budget examples (not specific client projects) showing how scope, construction type and neighborhood shape the final installed figure.
Case Study 01 · Ballantyne New Construction
7,200 sq ft estate, pre-wired during build
Whole-home Savant control with 72 lighting circuits, 22 motorized shades, 10 audio zones and a dedicated media room. Because rough-in followed framing, labour stayed near the low end of the range. Installed cost: $118,000.
Case Study 02 · Myers Park Retrofit
5,800 sq ft 1930s residence, plaster and masonry
Savant lighting and shading across primary rooms, invisible architectural audio and a conditioned equipment rack. Retrofit routing through plaster added roughly 20% over the same scope in new construction. Installed cost: $96,000.
Case Study 03 · Lake Norman Waterfront
9,400 sq ft estate with pool house and dock
Full-estate Savant system with Ketra circadian lighting, weather-rated outdoor audio across pool and terrace, dock lighting and multi-structure control extending to the pool house. Installed cost: $265,000.
Sample Budget: A 4,500 sq ft Charlotte Home
A typical whole-home Savant budget for a 4,500 sq ft Charlotte home totals roughly $95,000–$147,000: lighting control $25K–$35K, motorized shading $18K–$28K, multi-zone audio $15K–$22K, network and Wi-Fi $8K–$12K, media room $20K–$35K, plus programming and commissioning $9K–$15K.
| System Area | Budget Range | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Savant lighting control | $25,000 – $35,000 | Dimmers, keypads and processors for ~60 circuits across primary rooms |
| Motorized shading | $18,000 – $28,000 | 12–18 shades on main living and bedroom windows, integrated with Savant scenes |
| Multi-zone audio | $15,000 – $22,000 | 8 zones including kitchen, patio and pool terrace with architectural speakers |
| Enterprise network & Wi-Fi | $8,000 – $12,000 | Wired access points, managed switch and remote monitoring foundation |
| Media room | $20,000 – $35,000 | Sony 4K projection, immersive surround and Savant one-touch control |
| Programming & commissioning | $9,000 – $15,000 | Scene design, system programming, calibration and homeowner training |
This example reflects a pre-wired new construction project in Ballantyne. Retrofit routing in established Myers Park or Eastover homes typically adds 15–25%, and estate-scale properties with outdoor structures exceed this scope. Every project begins with a documented design proposal — call 980-391-4956 or request a system design for a line-item figure for your home.
Three Illustrative Budget Scenarios
Budgets become concrete when they are attached to a specific house. These three scenarios reflect the project profiles we design most often across the Charlotte metro — a pre-wired new build, an established-neighborhood retrofit, and a multi-structure waterfront estate.
New Build in Ballantyne — 5,200 sq ft
$118,000 – $142,000
Pre-wired during construction. Savant lighting across 72 circuits, 10 audio zones, motorized shading on 16 windows, enterprise Wi-Fi, media room. Pre-wiring saved roughly $35,000 versus the same scope as a retrofit.
Myers Park Retrofit — 4,100 sq ft
$96,000 – $128,000
1930s construction with plaster walls. Savant lighting, 6 audio zones, shading on 12 windows, network overhaul. Retrofit routing added 18% over new-construction pricing for the same scope.
Lake Norman Estate — 9,800 sq ft
$265,000 – $340,000
Main house plus pool house and dock. Full Savant lighting and climate, 22 audio zones including outdoor landscape audio, Ketra circadian lighting, private cinema with Dolby Atmos, whole-property security, conditioned equipment room.
SouthPark Executive Renovation — 6,400 sq ft
$142,000 – $178,000
Fairview Road corridor home rebuilt to the studs. Savant lighting across 88 circuits with Ketra in the great room and kitchen, 14 audio zones including a landscaped terrace, motorized shading on 24 windows, enterprise Wi-Fi and surveillance, dedicated media room with 85-inch display and Atmos soundbar wall. Coordinating shade pockets and keypad locations with the millwork shop added design time but eliminated visible hardware.
Myers Park Estate — 7,900 sq ft
$188,000 – $236,000
Queens Road West property with guest house. Full Savant lighting and climate across both structures, 18 audio zones, Ketra circadian scenes in primary suites, motorized drapery and Roman shades, private cinema, whole-property gate and camera integration, conditioned rack room. Plaster preservation and long underground runs to the guest house added roughly 22% over comparable new construction.
Weddington New Construction — 6,100 sq ft
$134,000 – $168,000
Providence Downs South custom build wired during framing. Savant lighting across 96 circuits, 12 audio zones with landscape audio on the rear terrace, motorized shading on 30 windows, enterprise Wi-Fi, dedicated theater, and gate and camera integration. Pre-wiring during construction saved roughly $38,000 versus retrofit routing.
Your home will not match any of these exactly — that is why every project starts with a documented design visit rather than a price list. Call 980-391-4956 or request a system design and we will scope yours.
Savant Cost by Room: Line-Item Breakdown
Priced room by room, a Savant kitchen runs $8K–$15K, a master suite $12K–$25K, a great room $15K–$30K, a dedicated cinema $85K–$250K, and outdoor living $18K–$45K — a full estate sums these zones into the $150K–$350K+ estate tier.
Whole-home budgets are the sum of individual rooms. These line-item ranges reflect what each space typically contributes to a Charlotte-area Savant project in 2026, so you can build a realistic figure for the rooms that matter most to you.
| Room / Zone | Typical Cost | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen & morning room | $8,000 – $15,000 | Lighting scenes and keypads, in-ceiling audio, shading on 2–4 windows |
| Great room / living room | $15,000 – $30,000 | Lighting and shading control, surround or architectural audio, TV integration, scene keypads |
| Master suite | $12,000 – $25,000 | Circadian lighting, blackout shading, audio, climate integration, bedside keypad control |
| Home office | $5,000 – $10,000 | Lighting scenes, shading, enterprise-grade network drop and Wi-Fi coverage |
| Dedicated private cinema | $85,000 – $250,000 | Sony 4K projection, Dolby Atmos, acoustic treatment, seating, one-touch Savant control |
| Outdoor living (terrace, pool, dock) | $18,000 – $45,000 | Landscape audio, dock and terrace lighting, weather-rated displays, outdoor scenes |
| Whole-estate backbone | $25,000 – $50,000 | Conditioned equipment room, custom rack, power management, enterprise network, remote monitoring |
A focused project might be two or three of these zones; a full estate includes them all plus guest and pool structures. For a line-item figure for your rooms, call 980-391-4956 or request a system design.
What Changed for Savant Pricing in 2026
Three shifts shaped Charlotte-area Savant budgets this year. First, hardware: Savant's current-generation processors and Metropolitan keypad line carry modest price increases over their predecessors, adding roughly 3–6% to the hardware portion of a whole-home project versus 2024–2025 quotes. Second, labor: certified programmer and low-voltage labor rates across the Charlotte metro have risen with demand for new luxury construction in Ballantyne, Waxhaw and Lake Norman, which is why pre-wiring during the build — rather than retrofitting later — now saves closer to 25–30% on labor alone. Third, scope: Ketra circadian lighting and outdoor living zones have moved from occasional add-ons to standard inclusions on most estate projects, which is why the estate tier in this guide carries a wider range than it did two years ago. The figures on this page reflect September 2026 Charlotte-area pricing and are reviewed quarterly.
What Savant Home Automation Includes
Savant home automation is more than a remote control for lights — it is one platform that unifies every system in the residence behind a single app, keypad and voice interface. Understanding the full scope explains where the budget goes and why whole-home projects are priced as a system rather than a collection of gadgets.
Lighting & Shading
Architectural keypads replace banks of switches, Ketra and USAII fixtures tune color temperature through the day, and motorized shades track the sun. Scenes like Entertain, Evening and Away set the whole house in one touch.
Whole-Home Audio & Video
Invisible architectural speakers in every room, a dedicated private cinema, and any source — streaming, vinyl, live TV — available in any space. Savant's SmartAudio platform distributes it all from a central rack.
Climate, Security & Access
Thermostats, door locks, gates, cameras and alarm zones report into the same interface. Arriving home can disarm the system, open the gate, light the drive and set the temperature — automatically.
Network & Remote Monitoring
An enterprise-grade network underpins everything, and remote monitoring lets your integrator fix most issues before you notice them. This infrastructure is the unglamorous line item that makes the experience reliable.
The practical benefit of this integration is daily: fewer apps, fewer remotes, and a home that responds as one system. The pricing sections below show what each scope level costs installed in the Charlotte metro — and the companion guide on what Savant home automation is covers the platform itself in more depth.
Savant vs Crestron vs Lutron HomeWorks: Cost and Fit for Charlotte Luxury Homes
For a comparable luxury estate, Crestron typically runs 20–40% above Savant, while Lutron HomeWorks costs less because it covers lighting and shading only — audio, video, network and security still need a separate platform.
| Factor | Savant | Crestron | Lutron HomeWorks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | Lighting, shading, audio, video, climate, security in one app | Full-home and commercial-grade control | Lighting and shading only |
| Relative cost (same scope) | Baseline | Typically 20–40% higher | Lower, but narrower scope |
| Programming | Dealer-configured, owner-adjustable scenes | Fully custom code; changes usually need the programmer | Dealer-configured lighting scenes |
| Daily interface | Polished Apple-centric app and keypads | Custom-designed touch panels | Palladiom / seeTouch keypads, Lutron app |
| Best fit | Private residences wanting one unified experience | Very large estates with bespoke engineering needs | Lighting-first projects paired with another control system |
Many Charlotte estates combine platforms: Lutron shading or lighting integrated under a Savant interface, so homeowners get Lutron's fixture ecosystem with a single control app. Crestron remains a credible choice for very large, heavily customized properties; Peters Audio Video designs around Savant and discusses other platforms editorially so you can compare fairly.
Cost vs value when you sell in Charlotte
We have not seen a published dataset that isolates the resale premium of home automation in Charlotte, so treat any single percentage with caution. What listing agents in Myers Park, SouthPark and Lake Norman do consistently show is that branded, documented systems appear as listing features, while undocumented or failing systems become inspection negotiation points. The practical value levers are: a recognized platform, wired infrastructure that a buyer can reuse, full as-built documentation and a transferable service relationship.
If resale is a priority, invest first in infrastructure a buyer keeps — structured wiring, network backbone, lighting control and shading — and keep personal-taste items like cinema décor as the flexible layer.
Is a Savant System Worth It? Professional Installation vs Consumer-Grade
A professionally installed Savant system costs more upfront than consumer smart-home devices, but delivers one unified interface, wired reliability, dealer-level support and a system engineered to last 10–15 years — where consumer kits typically need replacing every 2–4 years.
Consumer-grade platforms — Wi-Fi bulbs, plug-in hubs and app-per-brand control — look cheaper until you count the real costs: devices that drop offline, apps that multiply as you add rooms, and hardware that reaches end-of-life within a few product cycles. A professional Savant installation replaces that patchwork with a single engineered system: wired lighting control that works when the internet doesn't, architectural keypads instead of phone apps, and integration with complementary brands such as Lutron shades and Sony reference projectors under one interface.
Long-term value is where the difference compounds. Savant systems are supported for a decade or more, can be reprogrammed as your home changes, and are a listed premium feature in luxury real estate. Consumer kits are disposable; a Savant system is infrastructure. For a focused two-room project a consumer approach can be sensible — but once scope reaches whole-home lighting, multi-zone audio or a private cinema, the professional path is almost always lower total cost over ten years.
Savant Home Automation Price List: Core Hardware
Core Savant hardware budgets in 2026: a Savant Pro Host runs $2,500–$4,500, a Smart Host $1,000–$1,800, Pro Remote X2 $600–$900 each, architectural keypads $350–$700 per gang, and the 8-inch wall touch screen $1,200–$1,800 — before programming and installation.
Savant does not publish retail pricing — systems are sold through authorized integrators with project-specific proposals. These ranges reflect typical hardware budgets across our Charlotte-metro projects and are useful for sanity-checking a proposal line by line.
| Component | Typical Budget | Role in the System |
|---|---|---|
| Savant Pro Host | $2,500 – $4,500 | Primary system processor running the Savant Pro engine for whole-estate control |
| Savant Smart Host | $1,000 – $1,800 | Compact processor for single-room or focused installations |
| Pro Remote X2 | $600 – $900 each | Handheld voice remote for theaters and primary living spaces |
| Architectural keypads | $350 – $700 per gang | Engraved wall keypads replacing conventional switch banks |
| 8-inch wall touch screen | $1,200 – $1,800 | In-wall control point for kitchens, entries and primary suites |
| SmartAudio multi-room amplifier | $1,500 – $3,500 per chassis | Distributed audio amplification across listening zones |
| Ketra / USAII lighting fixtures | $1,200 – $2,500 per zone | Circadian architectural lighting native to the Savant platform |
| Programming & commissioning | $9,000 – $15,000 per project | Scene design, calibration and homeowner training — the largest non-hardware line |
Hardware typically represents 55–70% of an installed Savant budget; design, wiring, programming and commissioning make up the rest. A 4,500 sq ft whole-home system usually carries $60,000–$100,000 in hardware within a $95,000–$147,000 total. For a line-item proposal for your home, call 980-391-4956 or request a system design.
Charlotte Labor, Licensing and Permits: What Adds Local Cost
National Savant price guides skip the local line items that change a Charlotte budget. These are the ones we plan for on every Mecklenburg County project.
- Licensed low-voltage work: North Carolina requires low-voltage and control wiring to be performed under a license issued by the NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors. Licensed labor costs more than unlicensed handymen, but it is what inspectors, builders and insurers expect.
- Mecklenburg County permits: Low-voltage and electrical permits for new construction and major renovations are issued through Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement and tied to the project's inspection schedule. Timing rough-in wiring to the framing inspection avoids opening finished walls later.
- Historic districts: Dilworth, Wilmore and Fourth Ward are Charlotte local historic districts, where exterior changes such as cameras, outdoor speakers or gate hardware may need Historic District Commission review. Interior Savant work is generally unaffected, but it can shape equipment placement.
- Plaster and older construction: 1920s–1940s homes in Myers Park, Eastover and Dilworth often have plaster walls and limited attic access, which is why retrofit routing typically adds 15–25% over the same scope in new construction.
- Lake Norman and outbuildings: Docks, pool houses and detached garages require trenching and outdoor-rated cable runs, often the single largest variable on lake properties.
Ask any Charlotte installer to show these items separately on the proposal so you can compare bids accurately. Request System Design or call 980-391-4956.
What Drives Savant Cost?
Six factors account for most of the difference between a $60,000 and a $250,000 Savant project: the number of lighting circuits and keypad locations, window count and shading fabric selection, audio zone count and speaker grade, network complexity across structures, cinema scope, and whether the home is pre-wired new construction or a retrofit through finished walls.
Home Size
Larger homes need more processors, keypads, speakers, and cable runs. Cost scales roughly linearly with square footage.
Lighting Fixture Count
Savant's proprietary dimmers and switches are priced per circuit. A 30-circuit home costs less than a 120-circuit estate.
Audio Zone Count
Each audio zone requires speakers, an amplifier channel, and cabling. Outdoor zones cost more due to weather-rated equipment.
Shading Scope
Motorized shades run $800–$3,500+ per window. A 40-window home with full shading adds significant budget.
New Construction vs Retrofit
Pre-wiring during construction saves 40–60% compared to retrofit. Wireless Savant products bridge the gap but have limitations.
Programming Complexity
Custom scenes, conditional logic, and complex automation rules require more programming hours ($150–$250/hr).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting price for a Savant system?
The minimum practical Savant installation — covering lighting control and basic automation in a focused area — starts around $30,000–$50,000. A whole-home system for a 3,000–4,000 sq ft home with lighting, audio, and shading typically runs $50,000–$80,000.
Why is Savant more expensive than Control4?
Savant's higher price reflects its premium hardware (proprietary lighting fixtures, architectural keypads), more polished user interface, and Apple ecosystem integration. The hardware itself is more refined, and the programming platform enables more sophisticated customization. For homeowners who value daily interaction quality, the premium delivers measurable value.
Are there ongoing costs with Savant?
Savant itself has no subscription fees. However, most luxury installations include an annual service contract ($1,500–$5,000/year) for remote monitoring, system updates, reprogramming requests, and priority support. This is optional but recommended for complex systems.
How much does a Savant system cost?
A Savant home automation system costs $30,000 to $350,000+ installed in 2026. Focused installations run $30,000–$60,000, whole-home systems for a 3,000–5,000 sq ft home run $60,000–$150,000, and full estate systems with cinema, Ketra lighting and outdoor structures reach $150,000–$350,000+.
How much does a Savant Pro Host cost?
A Savant Pro Host — the primary processor for whole-estate systems — typically budgets $2,500–$4,500 for the hardware. The smaller Smart Host for focused installations runs $1,000–$1,800. Both require professional programming, which is a separate project line item.
How much does a Savant system cost in Charlotte, NC?
Most Savant projects in the Charlotte metro area fall between $60,000 and $150,000 for a 3,500-6,000 sq ft home covering lighting, shading, audio and control. Pre-wired new construction sits at the lower end; retrofits in older Myers Park or Dilworth homes typically add 15-25% for cable routing.
Is Savant more expensive than Control4 or Lutron?
For comparable scope on a 4,000 sq ft home, Savant generally runs 15-30% above Control4. A Lutron-only lighting and shading package costs less because it covers a narrower scope and is often combined with a separate audio and video system.
How much does Savant cost per square foot?
Across Charlotte-metro projects, a whole-home Savant system works out to roughly $15–$35 per square foot depending on scope: a 4,500 sq ft home with lighting, shading, audio, network and a media room totals $95,000–$147,000 (about $21–$33 per sq ft). Focused single-system projects sit lower; estate systems with cinema, Ketra lighting and outdoor structures sit higher.
Is Savant cheaper than Crestron?
Yes, typically. On comparable estate-scale projects, Crestron generally runs 20–40% above Savant because its hardware and programming platform target fully bespoke commercial-grade engineering. For a 6,000+ sq ft estate, Savant commonly lands $150,000–$350,000 where an equivalent Crestron system reaches $200,000–$450,000+. Both are professional platforms; Savant is the more common choice for private residences, while Crestron dominates boardrooms and very large estates.
Is Savant more expensive than Lutron HomeWorks?
Lutron HomeWorks usually costs less than a full Savant system because it controls lighting and shading only. Once audio, video, network and security are added through another platform, total project cost is often comparable, and many Charlotte homes run Lutron shading or lighting under a Savant interface.
Does Savant increase home value?
Yes. In luxury real estate markets, a Savant system is increasingly listed as a premium feature. Real estate agents report that homes with branded automation systems sell faster and command higher prices. The brand recognition of Savant among luxury buyers — particularly in the $1M+ market — makes it a genuine investment in property value.
Serving the Charlotte Metro
Savant Home Automation in Charlotte, NC
We design and install Savant systems throughout the Charlotte metro — Myers Park, SouthPark, Eastover, Dilworth, Ballantyne, Waxhaw, Marvin and Lake Norman. Pricing in this guide reflects real Charlotte-area projects, and every budget starts with a documented design visit.
Peters Audio Video, LLC4401 Barclay Downs Dr #132, Charlotte, NC 28209
980-391-4956
Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Charlotte
- Myers Park
- SouthPark
- Eastover
- Dilworth
- Ballantyne
- Weddington
- Waxhaw
- Marvin
- Matthews
- Davidson
- Cornelius
- Huntersville
- Lake Norman
Savant Pricing For Your Home
Get a Line-Item Savant Budget
Send your home size, neighborhood, and scope. We reply within one business day with a documented range for your specific project.