Homeowners spend between $259 and $1,358, with a national average of $797, to install a home fire sprinkler system.
Home fire sprinkler systems cost $0.80 to $4 per square foot to install in an unfinished home and $2 to $7 per square foot for existing homes. If you live in a high-rise building, expect to pay at least $4 per square foot. A typical person will spend a national average of $4,000 to install a home fire sprinkler system.
When installing a home fire sprinkler system, you’ll consider factors like the size of your home and the system you install. You should weigh these lifetime costs against the ongoing protection unlocked by installing a fire sprinkler system.
You’ll pay more to install a home sprinkler system if you have a larger home because you’ll need more materials, and the installer will spend more time setting them up.
It’s more difficult to retroactively add a home sprinkler system than it is to add one during the construction of a new home. With that in mind, new home sprinkler systems cost less per square foot than those in existing homes.
For new construction, you may pay between $0.80 and $2 per square foot, whereas prices start at $2 and may go up to $7 per square foot for existing residences. Installing sprinkler systems in high rises will end up costing around $4 per square foot.
| Type of Home | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| New home | $0.80–$2 |
| Existing home | $2–$7 |
| High-rise building | $4 |
Installers use three main types of sprinkler pipes: nonmetallic, copper, and a mix of metallic and nonmetallic materials. Nonmetallic options include CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) and PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). Your fire sprinkler company can help you choose the best pipe material for your system.
| Pipe Material | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| CPVC or PEX | $1–$2 |
| Mixture | $1–$2 |
| Copper | $3–$4 |
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a working smoke alarm more than doubles your chance of surviving a house fire. Check the batteries every three months and replace your smoke detector every 10 years. New batteries cost about $10 to $25, and replacement smoke detectors run from $15 to $65 on average.
Carbon monoxide can cause illness or even death in high doses. However, it's invisible, odorless, and colorless, so you need a detector to know it’s there. Newer models will last up to seven years and range from $15 to $150 on average.
Heat sensors detect significant temperature spikes in addition to smoke. The sensors run anywhere from $60 to $100 per sensor.
This essential part of the chimney cap keeps sparks and flying embers from landing on your roof or its surrounding area, preventing fire hazards. The metal meshing also helps keep small critters from crawling into your chimney. A chimney cap costs about $300 to install.
If you’re focused on fire safety, there are a few additional costs to consider to increase your preparedness level in the event of a fire.
New fire extinguishers cost between $100 and $500 and are available at most home improvement stores. The NFPA recommends inspecting and maintaining your fire extinguisher annually, which costs an additional $30 to $100 per year. The best location for an extinguisher is in an accessible and visible area for quick and easy access. Make sure you have the right kind of fire extinguisher for your needs.
Fire blankets cost $10 to $100 on average. Most non-flammable blankets are designed for up to 900 degrees and can put out small fires with ease. One blanket will last around seven years.
Private fire hydrants cost between $3,000 and $7,000 and are built on someone’s personal property. The price varies based on the hydrant’s classification, which depends on how many gallons per minute it can handle.
Safety statistics aside, installing an indoor sprinkler system in your home is a good idea to stay up to local codes and requirements. But what you pay for the system will depend on your location, as labor and material costs vary nationwide. Here are a few examples of local fire sprinkler system costs:
| State | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $300–$600 |
| California | $350–$1,300 |
| Colorado | $300–$650 |
| Pennsylvania | $200–$1,000 |
| Nebraska | $200–$1,000 |
| New York | $200–$1,500 |
| North Carolina | $200–$1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $200–$1,000 |
Installing a home fire sprinkler system is not a good DIY because it involves intricate wiring and piping. You also need contracting, plumbing, and electrical experience for this job. If you don’t have that experience and try to DIY this project, it could lead to flooding and water damage. A local fire sprinkler company will help ensure your indoor fire system works when needed.
While there may not be a way to reduce the up-front cost of a fire sprinkler system other than getting quotes from multiple companies, other financial incentives may help offset the cost. When pricing out the project, contact your insurance company to see if they can reduce the premiums for a home with a fire sprinkler system. You can also contact your local government to see if they offer incentives or funding for fire sprinkler system installation.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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A home fire sprinkler system reduces heat, flames, and smoke within seconds. Fire sprinkler systems hide in walls with sprinkler heads running along the piping throughout your home.
When the air surrounding a sprinkler reaches a specific temperature, the heads closest to the fire activate and release anywhere from 10 to 25 gallons of water per minute.
The NFPA model codes and International Residential Code (IRC) mandate that all new one- and two-family homes have fire sprinkler systems. However, all municipalities are different. The best way to determine if your municipality requires fire sprinklers is to contact your state fire marshal’s office. One reason to install a fire sprinkler system is that it’s the first line of defense in putting out a fire and alerting your family of emergencies.
Residential fire sprinkler systems have a couple of drawbacks, including the cost to install, particularly for high-rise buildings or existing buildings, and the potential for water damage if the sprinklers go off. You will also need to keep up with annual inspections to make sure the system will work as intended during an emergency.
But keep in mind that sprinklers can save lives, and the cost to repair water damage, about $400 to $4,700, is less than the average cost of fire damage restoration, about $2,900 to $38,500.
While adding fire sprinklers to your home, you may want to consider other fire prevention and protective measures. Get your smoke alarms and CO alarms inspected and replaced, if needed. Add fire doors to vulnerable areas of your home. Inspect or purchase fire extinguishers. For exterior protection, consider fire-smart landscaping practices.
Fire sprinkler systems give your home’s value a boost. Potential home buyers are looking for a safe place to settle, and a well-maintained sprinkler system can provide peace of mind. Plus, some homeowners insurance policies offer discounted rates for homes with this type of built-in system, thanks to the decreased risk of fire.
