What Home Technology Costs in a Denver Luxury Home

Almost every project conversation starts the same way: what should we budget for technology? The honest answer is that it depends on the systems you want and the level of finish they demand — but that does not mean there are no numbers.

The most useful planning tool we can give you is a percentage of construction cost plus a breakdown of what drives each system. Most fully integrated Colorado homes land between 6% and 12% of the construction budget for technology, with lighting control and window treatments accounting for the largest share.

The short answer

Plan 6–12% of construction cost for a fully integrated luxury home; 3–5% for a lighter, essentials-only scope.
Lighting control and window treatments typically consume the largest portion of a technology budget — often more than audio and video combined.
Prewire is the cheapest line item and the most expensive one to skip; adding capacity during framing costs a fraction of retrofitting it later.
A dedicated home theater is a distinct budget of its own, largely driven by acoustics, seating, and room construction rather than electronics.
Ongoing service and remote monitoring should be budgeted annually, not treated as a one-time purchase.

Planning ranges

Three levels of scope

Essentials

3–5% of construction cost

The infrastructure and core systems that are painful to add later, without the full estate scope.

Complete low-voltage prewire and structured cabling
Enterprise-grade network and Wi-Fi coverage
Lighting control in primary living spaces
Motorized shades on key window walls
Audio in the main living areas and primary suite
Primary TV locations mounted and distributed

Integrated home

6–9% of construction cost

One platform running the house, with technology designed into the architecture from the start.

Whole-home lighting control with keypad design and scene tuning
Motorized shading throughout, plus drapery and specialty treatments
Whole-home audio including outdoor zones
Video distribution and a dedicated media room
Surveillance, access control, and alarm integration
Single control platform with remote support and monitoring

Estate

10–12%+ of construction cost

Full estate integration with reference-grade rooms and no compromises on concealment.

Tunable-white and circadian lighting design throughout
Custom drapery from an in-house workroom on every opening
Dedicated cinema with acoustic treatment and reference electronics
Reference two-channel and multi-zone landscape audio
Redundant networking, UPS, and remote monitoring
Guest houses, gatehouses, pools, and outbuildings on one system

Ranges are planning guidance for Colorado luxury homes, not quotes. Final scope depends on square footage, fixture and opening counts, and the level of concealment the architecture demands.

Layered architectural lighting in a Colorado great room

Where the money actually goes

Homeowners often expect the television to be the big number. In practice, lighting control and window treatments dominate the budget — they touch every room, involve hundreds of devices, and require design time, fabrication, and on-site tuning. Audio and video follow, then networking, security, and surveillance.

Structured low-voltage prewire in a home under construction

Prewire is the cheapest insurance you will buy

Pulling extra capacity during framing is measured in hundreds of dollars per room. Retrofitting the same capability after drywall is measured in thousands, and often ends in a visible compromise. If the budget forces a phase-two decision, phase the equipment — never the wire.

Equipment rack with remotely monitored network and control hardware

Budget the years after move-in

Firmware changes, carriers replace equipment, and families change how they use a house. A service plan with remote monitoring catches most issues before you notice them and keeps the system current. Plan an annual figure for it the same way you would for landscaping or mechanical service.

Systems involved

Great room with indirect dimmable architectural ceiling lighting

Lighting control

Luxury Denver living room with enormous motorized shades and drapery

Window treatments

Modern great room with integrated control and architectural lighting

Home automation

Common questions

Home technology budget guide

What percentage of a construction budget should go to home technology?

Most fully integrated Colorado luxury homes fall between 6% and 12% of construction cost. A lighter scope focused on prewire, networking, and core lighting and shading typically lands between 3% and 5%.

What is the single biggest driver of a technology budget?

Lighting control and window treatments, because they appear in every room. Fixture counts, keypad counts, fabric selections, and the number of motorized openings move the number more than any single piece of electronics.

Can a project be phased?

Yes — but phase the equipment, not the infrastructure. Pull all the wire during construction and add zones, displays, or shades later without opening walls.

What does a dedicated home theater add?

A true cinema is its own budget line, driven mostly by room construction, acoustic treatment, seating, and finishes rather than the electronics inside it.

Do you charge for design work?

Design and engineering time is part of the scope on integrated projects. It is what produces the drawings, load schedules, and coordination that keep the build on track.