How Much Does It Cost to Install Hard-Wired Carbon Monoxide Detectors & Smoke Detectors?

Hard-wired smoke and CO detectors are a safer and more reliable alternative to the basic, battery-operated detectors.

But how much will it cost you to install them?

Well, in the Denver area, it costs anywhere from $150 to $300+ to install 1 hardwired smoke or carbon monoxide detector.

That said, the overall cost of your particular project will depend on:

1. What kind of detectors do you choose
2. How many detectors do you need installed
3. The amount of installation “difficulties”
4. The electrician/contractor you hire

We’ll dive deeper into those 4 cost factors below.

The price to install hard-wired CO and/or smoke detectors depends on…

1. The detector model you choose

The more advanced features your smoke and/or CO detector has, the more expensive the overall project.

Today’s detectors come with many hi-tech features, including:

• “Smart” detectors with text alert capabilities and ability to connect to Wi-Fi/other smart devices
• Voice alerts
• Visual alerts (flashing lights)
• Weather/disaster alerts
• Digital displays (carbon monoxide detectors only)
• Combination alarm technology (alarms that can detect both carbon monoxide and smoke)

Our suggestion: Try to stick to the same brand and model when it comes to choosing detectors. This ensures that the detectors will be compatible with each other, allowing for interconnection (when detector are wired together so that when one detectors is alarmed, they all go off).

2. How many detectors you need installed

The more detectors you need installed in your home, the more expensive the overall project.

So how do you know how many you need installed in your home? Well, this all depends on the size of your home, the amount of bedrooms and the amount of floors your home has. It also depends on local codes.

For example, the state of Colorado and the city and county of Denver require that:

• 1 smoke detector be placed...
  • In every bedroom
  • Outside each sleeping area
  • On every level/floor of the home, including basements
• 1 carbon monoxide detector be placed…
  • Within 15 feet of each bedroom entry door
  • On each level of the home, including basements
  • Within each bedroom containing a fuel-burning appliance

3. The amount of installation “difficulties”

The more difficulties your electrician/contractor encounters, the more time and labor you end up paying for at the end of the day.

Some “difficulties” that can end up raising the installation cost include:

• High ceilings. Cathedral or vaulted ceilings lead to the need for ladders, additional materials and slower installation times.
• Installations in a finished home vs unfinished. If you are retrofitting your home for interconnected detectors, you’ll see higher costs because your home’s wiring is harder to access. The cost will include cutting holes in the wall, then repairing the drywall and painting.
• The need for new circuit breaker installation. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are not required to be on a separate, dedicated circuit and because a single detector requires very low amperage, it’s often easy to fit all detectors on an existing circuit. However, if your home’s circuits are completely full, the electrician will need to install a new circuit breaker which increases the time and cost of the project.

4. The electrician you hire

The more experienced and qualified the electrician, the more they typically charge.

That’s because, with a high-quality electrician, you’re paying for a job done right the first time, which ultimately saves you money in the long run.

But you’re also paying for peace of mind. When you choose a higher-priced electrician who’s experienced and knowledgeable, you can rest assured knowing that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will work when you and your family need it most.

Bottom line: Don’t be turned off by higher installation prices.

Instead, vet high-priced electricians carefully. Make sure that you ultimately choose an electrician who:

• Is licensed and insured by the state of Colorado
• Has experience in smoke/CO detector installations
• Can offer referrals of past customers
• Works for a reputable company that’s been in business for at least 10 years
• Has good reviews on sites such as BBB, Google+, etc.