The hidden cost of wiring in building automation
By Nick Dutton
PUBLISHED 1 May 2025
Installation type | Estimated cost* per foot | Estimated cost* per meter** | |
|---|---|---|---|
Installation typeBasic (low voltage, accessible areas) | Estimated cost* per foot$4 – $8/ft | Estimated cost* per meter**$13 – $26/m | |
Installation typeStandard 120–277V, commercial install | Estimated cost* per foot$6 – $12/ft | Estimated cost* per meter**$20 – $39/m | |
Installation typeComplex or retrofit environments | Estimated cost* per foot$10 – $20+/ft | Estimated cost* per meter**$33 – $66+/m |
Cost type | Low estimate* per foot | Low estimate* per meter** | |
|---|---|---|---|
Cost typeMaterial (cable only) | Low estimate* per foot$0.20–$0.50/ft | Low estimate* per meter**$0.66 – $1.64/m | |
Cost typeLabor and installation | Low estimate* per foot$1.50–$3.00/ft | Low estimate* per meter**$4.92 – $9.84/m | |
Cost typeTotal (avg) | Low estimate* per foot$2.00–$6.00/ft | Low estimate* per meter**$6.56 – $19.68/m |
Wired data cabling | Wireless | |
|---|---|---|
Wired data cablingExpensive to install and scale | WirelessMinimal install cost – no cable pulls | |
Wired data cablingDisruptive to deploy | WirelessNon-disruptive – deploy while site is live | |
Wired data cablingFixed infrastructure | WirelessFlexible, self-healing, supports mobilit |
Concern | Traditional wired view | Wirepas response | |
|---|---|---|---|
ConcernReliability and interference | Traditional wired viewWired avoids RF issues from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or metal structures | Wirepas responseWirepas Mesh uses a decentralized, self-healing mesh that adapts to interference in real time | |
ConcernScalability | Traditional wired viewWireless networks are limited in size | Wirepas responseWirepas Mesh scales to tens of thousands of nodes and has been proven in real-world deployments— including a single network with over 1.3 million nodes in operation | |
ConcernSignal stability | Traditional wired viewWireless can drop in dense or metal-rich environments | Wirepas responseWirepas nodes dynamically adjust frequency, power, and routing—ensuring stable performance | |
ConcernPower supply | Traditional wired viewWireless needs batteries, often seen as a maintenance burden | Wirepas responseWirepas enables over 10-year battery life through ultra-low-power design | |
ConcernSecurity | Traditional wired viewWireless is more vulnerable to hacking | Wirepas responseWirepas uses proven AES-128 encryption and modern security practices trusted daily in banking & finance | |
ConcernRange and coverage | Traditional wired viewWireless has limited range | Wirepas responseWirepas mesh can span buildings or campuses—scaling easily without costly cabling | |
ConcernIndustry trust | Traditional wired viewEngineers prefer wired protocols like BACnet or Modbus | Wirepas responseWirepas bridges with existing systems and uses standardized APIs for secure integration |
