A home cinema can be a simple screen and speakers in a living room or a purpose-built room with acoustic treatment, tiered seating and a projector. The cost spans a wide range because the kit does. This guide sets out what we typically see and what to budget for.
All figures are indicative, depend on the equipment chosen, and exclude VAT. We can give a firm price only after a survey.
Indicative price ranges
| Project | Indicative range (prices exclude VAT) |
|---|---|
| A single room: a small Control4 processor, a Control4 remote and integration into an existing media room system | From about £5,000 |
| A fully fitted cinema room, including room build, seating and decor, priced on top of any whole smart home | About £20,000 to £150,000 |
| A whole smart home, without a cinema (see our Control4 cost guide) | Up to around £100,000 |
All prices on this page exclude VAT. The dedicated cinema range includes the room build, seating and decor, as well as the equipment. It is wide because projectors, screens, speakers and processing can all be specified at very different levels. A survey and a written quote are needed for an exact figure. A fully fitted cinema room is priced on top of the whole smart home figure, not within it.
Why the range is so wide
The same room can cost very different amounts depending on these choices:
- Picture: a television or a projector and screen, and the quality of each.
- Sound: the number and type of speakers, amplification and processing.
- Acoustics: treating the room so it sounds as good as the equipment allows.
- Seating: from comfortable sofas to bespoke tiered seating. See cinema seating.
- Control and lighting: one app or keypad to dim lights, close curtains and start a film.
- The room itself: how much building work, cabling and ventilation are needed.
We choose speakers from brands such as Sonance, James Loudspeaker, Miller & Kreisel, Wisdom and Steinway Lyngdorf, and we recommend whichever suits the room and budget.
Dedicated cinema or media room
A dedicated cinema is a room built for film, with controlled light and sound. A media room is a living space that does a good job for film but also works for everyday life, and it usually costs less. Each suits different households. If you are unsure, our home cinema page explains how we think about both.
Costs beyond the equipment
The dedicated cinema range above covers the room build, seating and decor as well as the kit, so it is a fuller figure than equipment alone. Even so, it helps to think about acoustic treatment, power, ventilation and where the equipment will live. Equipment racks need space and airflow too, as we cover under AV rack building. If you want a screen set into a wall or fireplace, media walls are worth considering from the start.
A recent example near our Honiley base
As part of a full smart home we installed in a family home near our Honiley base, we fitted a media room alongside a sensory room, a space designed for a child with learning difficulties to play in. The two rooms have different jobs, and each needs to be simple for whoever is using it.
How to plan a budget
A few principles help whatever you spend. Decide what matters most to you: picture, sound, seating or simplicity. Spend first on what is hard to change later, such as cabling, acoustics and speakers, because electronics can be upgraded in future. Agree the room layout early with your builder and designer. And ask any installer to explain what is and is not included in a quote.
Get an accurate figure
We offer a free site survey. We look at the room, talk through how you want to use it and give a written proposal. You can also read about related work on our Control4 smart homes page.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a home cinema cost?
A dedicated cinema room typically runs from about £20,000 to £150,000, depending on the kit. This is an indicative range. We confirm a price after a survey.
Can I have a cinema for less?
A fully fitted cinema starts around £20,000. If you already have a media room, adding a small Control4 processor and remote and integrating the existing equipment typically starts from about £5,000. Prices exclude VAT, are indicative, and we confirm after a survey.
What affects the price most?
The projector or screen, the speakers and processing, the acoustic treatment, the seating and the amount of building work. The kit level has the largest effect.
Is a projector better than a TV?
Neither is better for every room. A projector and screen suits a large, dark room, and a good TV can suit a living space. We recommend what fits your room.
Do these prices include VAT, and what does the cinema range cover?
All prices on this page exclude VAT. The £20,000 to £150,000 range for a dedicated cinema includes the room build, seating and decor. It is indicative, and we confirm an exact price in a written quote after a survey.
Is the survey free?
Yes. We arrange a free, no-obligation visit to look at the room and discuss options.
Book a free site survey
Tell us about the room and how you want to use it. Call 01926 934612 or use our contact page for an exact quote.