Fire can harm people, take lives, and inflict significant property damage. Fire occurrences are something you can plan for, unlike natural calamities. These days, smoke alarms are like vigilantes, ready to alert people and prevent fatalities. You want to know how much this necessary service will cost, whether you’re installing them in a new house or repairing outdated units.
This guide covers the main costs: the alarms, the electrician’s time and any new wiring.
Cost of smoke alarms by type
Some quotes for smoke alarm installation don’t include the alarm itself, so check what’s covered. Here is a glimpse of the anticipated cost range and variations among different types of smoke alarms.
- Ionisation smoke alarms
These fire safety devices ionise the air within a chamber using a tiny quantity of radioactive material. Smoke interrupts the ionisation process when it enters, setting off the alarm and allowing for the early detection of quickly spreading, blazing fires. Fire services in Victoria and South Australia recommend photoelectric alarms instead. - Smoke alarms with photoelectric technology
These models identify the presence of smoke particles in the air using a laser beam and a sensor. These alarms are especially good at detecting slow-burning and smouldering fires. A model with a 10-year sealed battery costs about $25 to $55, and a hard-wired model about $55 to $95. Fire services in Victoria and South Australia recommend this type. - Dual-sensor smoke alarms
Dual-sensor models combine photoelectric and ionisation technologies to improve fire detection capabilities, making them a good choice if you’re searching for a comprehensive gadget. These machines often have smarter tech features and are more expensive. You may have to pay $40 to $150 or more out of pocket. - Smart smoke alarms
They provide wireless communication and high-tech features, as the name suggests. They can improve fire safety and convenience by integrating with smart home systems. These alarms send alerts to your smartphone and offer remote monitoring. Although prices vary greatly, they can go from $50 to $150 or more for each unit.
Factors affecting the cost of installing smoke alarms
The total cost of fire protection might vary depending on a number of factors.
- Batteries vs. hardwiring
Smoke alarms that run solely on batteries still work when the power is off. Hardwired smoke alarms run on mains power. They also have a backup battery to keep them running in the event of a power outage.
If you choose a hardwired model and your device’s wiring isn’t already installed, this will significantly raise the cost of your job. This task can also necessitate hiring a local, qualified electrician.
In Melbourne and Adelaide, electricians typically charge about $75 to $160 an hour, plus a call-out fee. The project’s overall cost could be $500 or more.
- Where alarms must go
The National Construction Code sets where smoke alarms are needed in a home: on every storey, and between the bedrooms and the rest of the home, such as in the hallway. In Victoria, homes built since 1 August 1997 need hard-wired alarms with a battery back-up. In South Australia, homes built since 1 January 1995 need hard-wired (mains-powered) alarms. Older homes need at least battery alarms. In South Australia, when an older home is sold, the new owner has six months to fit hard-wired or 10-year sealed-battery alarms. - Size of the house or area
The number of smoke alarms you require will depend on the size of your building. Keep in mind that an electrician’s fitting charge will increase with the number of alarms you require.
As a guide, replacing a hard-wired smoke alarm on its existing base costs about $150 to $320, including the alarm. Fitting a new hard-wired alarm where there’s no wiring yet costs more, about $280 to $450, because cable has to be run to it.
- Accessibility
Your switchboard must be accessible to the electrician, and if this presents a problem, running the wires may incur additional costs. You will have to pay extra to have cables boxed or tacked into place if they can’t be run above the ceiling. - Rewiring your house
It is advisable to have your electrician inspect your home to see if there are any electrical problems if it is older and has not had any recent modifications. It may not be covered by your insurance if it needs to be rewired. Rewiring costs far more than the alarms themselves, so it’s better to find out early. See how much rewiring costs. - Installing a protection system
You may inspect and determine whether an upgrade is necessary for your security system while you’re at it. If you haven’t installed one, you may need to do so. You should budget between $300 and $1,800, based on the size of your house or structure. - Additional expenses to take into account
Most smoke alarms, even smart ones, don’t need a monitoring subscription.
Final thoughts
Be well-prepared and ensure that your system is installed correctly. Installation is more difficult with hardwired or networked smoke alarms, particularly in houses without existing wiring. Hiring a qualified electrician is the best course of action in these situations. It’s always safer for you and your house to deal with a professional when running new wiring.
