Smart home installers set up and configure connected devices in homes and small offices, including smart lighting, thermostats, locks, cameras, video doorbells, whole-home audio, networking, and control hubs. Most work solo or in small crews and bill for labor, hardware, programming time, and sometimes ongoing support. Invoices usually combine equipment resale with hourly or flat-fee installation and setup.
Create an invoice for payment collection
Upload logo
PDF will be generated with filename:
Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Most installers mix flat fees for standard installs with hourly billing for custom programming, troubleshooting, and network work. Common flat-fee items are a thermostat install, a video doorbell, or a smart lock, since the time is predictable. Larger projects such as whole-home lighting control or multi-room audio are often quoted per device or per room, or as a project fee with a deposit and progress payments. Hardware is typically resold with a markup of roughly 10 to 30 percent, or billed at cost plus a procurement or handling fee, and some installers instead charge a higher labor rate and pass hardware through at cost. Trip charges, after-hours rates, and wall-fishing or attic/crawlspace work are often priced separately. Ongoing monitoring, remote support, and system check-ups are sold as monthly or annual service plans, or as prepaid blocks of support hours.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Standard hourly labor (installation, setup) | per hour | $65-130 |
| Programming, scenes, and automation configuration | per hour | $85-150 |
| Smart thermostat install and setup | flat fee | $100-250 |
| Video doorbell or smart lock install | per device | $75-200 |
| Smart switch or dimmer install | per device | $50-125 |
| Security camera install (wired or PoE, including cable run) | per camera | $150-400 |
| Wi-Fi/mesh network setup and optimization | flat fee | $150-500 |
| Hub setup and voice assistant integration | flat fee | $150-400 |
| Remote support or service plan | per month | $25-100 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart thermostat install and app setup (client-supplied unit) | 1 flat fee | $150.00 | $150.00 |
| Smart dimmer switch install, living room and kitchen | 6 per device | $65.00 | $390.00 |
| Smart lock install and code programming, front door | 1 per device | $120.00 | $120.00 |
| Smart lock (keypad deadbolt), supplied by installer | 1 each | $229.00 | $229.00 |
| Hub setup, scene programming, and voice assistant integration | 3 hours | $110.00 | $330.00 |
| Client walkthrough and app training | 1 hours | $85.00 | $85.00 |
| Total | $1,304.00 | ||
Notes: Payment due within 14 days of invoice date. Hardware is covered by manufacturer warranty; installation labor is warranted for 90 days. Client-owned accounts and admin credentials were transferred at handoff. Late balances are subject to a 1.5% monthly fee.
Clients need this for warranty claims, and you need it to show what you supplied versus what they already owned.
Programming time is easy to undervalue; listing it separately shows the work behind a system that looks simple once it runs.
Helps clarify which devices went where, especially on multi-room or multi-property jobs.
Records that the client owns their cloud accounts, hub, and admin logins, which prevents disputes later about access.
Makes it clear what you will fix for free and what goes back to the manufacturer.
Prevents surprise questions when travel or off-hours work is billed separately from the main install.
Low-voltage and electrical work often requires a license in many states, and some clients and insurers ask to see it.
For small installs, payment is usually due on completion or within 7 to 14 days. For larger projects, a deposit of 30 to 50 percent is common to cover hardware purchases, with the balance due at completion and sometimes a progress payment at rough-in. Many installers require full payment up front for special-order equipment. Late fees of 1 to 1.5 percent per month are typical if stated in advance. Cards, ACH, and checks are common; card payments let clients pay on the spot after a walkthrough, and ACH is often preferred for larger projects to avoid processing fees.
Hardware can be a large share of the total, and returns are often subject to restocking fees or are impossible on special-order items. A deposit that covers equipment protects you if the client changes their mind.
Getting devices from different brands to work together often takes longer than the physical install. Track that time and bill it at a programming rate rather than folding it into a low flat fee.
Clients often call back about Wi-Fi drops, app updates, or a device they added themselves. Define what your labor warranty covers and bill other visits at your normal rate or through a support plan.
Monthly or annual plans covering remote support, firmware updates, and a yearly check-up give clients predictable costs and give you steadier income than one-off installs.
Take photos of wiring and panel changes and list device names and locations. It saves time on later visits and supports your invoice if the client questions the scope.
Many installers do, typically 10 to 30 percent, because they handle sourcing, shipping, returns, and warranty issues. Others bill hardware at cost and charge more for labor. Either works if you state your approach in the quote and show equipment as its own line item.
Bill labor and setup only, and note on the invoice that equipment was client-supplied. Many installers charge a slightly higher rate or exclude warranty on labor if the client's device is defective or incompatible, so state that in writing before starting.
Generally yes, at your hourly rate, unless the problem comes from your own error. If a faulty unit is the cause, log the time and bill it, and tell the client early so they understand why the job is taking longer.
It depends on the state and the work. Low-voltage wiring, security systems, and anything that involves line-voltage wiring, such as replacing switches, often require a license or must be done under one in many places. Check your state and local rules and your insurance requirements.
Set up a recurring invoice with a clear description of what is included, such as remote support hours, monitoring, and updates. List the billing period and any overage rate for extra time so it is clear when additional charges apply.
Send a Smart Home Installer estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Smart Home Installer estimate template