Residential Service

Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Hardwired smoke and CO detector installation for complete home safety. Interconnected systems for whole-home protection throughout St. Louis and St. Charles County.

5-Star Reviews

2-4 hours

Typical Duration

Free

Estimates

Get Free Estimate

(636) 240-2966

What We Provide

Hardwired smoke detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors

Interconnected systems

Battery backup

Combination smoke/CO units

Kitchen heat detectors

Code compliance upgrades

Smart smoke detectors

Why It Matters

All alarms sound together when one triggers

More reliable than battery-only units

Meet code requirements

Protect your family 24/7

Battery backup for power outages

Smart alerts to your phone

Signs You Need This Service

Not sure if you need smoke & carbon monoxide detectors? Here are the warning signs to watch for.

Smoke detectors over 10 years old

Smoke detectors lose sensitivity with age. The manufacture date is on the back—replace any detector over 10 years old.

Detectors chirp despite new batteries

Chirping with fresh batteries indicates end-of-life. The detector's sensor has degraded and needs replacement.

Only battery-powered detectors

Battery-only detectors aren't interconnected—one can alarm while others stay silent. Hardwired systems wake the whole house.

No detector in every bedroom

Current code requires smoke detectors inside each sleeping room, not just in hallways. Many older homes don't comply.

No carbon monoxide detectors

CO is odorless and lethal. Any home with gas appliances, attached garage, or fireplace needs CO detectors near bedrooms.

Detectors painted over

Paint clogs smoke sensors, making them ineffective. Painted detectors must be replaced.

Missing detectors in basement

Basements often contain furnaces and water heaters—fire and CO sources. Code requires detectors on every level.

Frequent false alarms

If detectors false alarm from cooking or steam, they may be wrong type or location. We'll relocate or replace with appropriate types.

What's Included

Transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Here's exactly what you get.

Detector Replacement

$75–$125 per detector

Removal of old detector
Installation of new hardwired detector
Battery backup included
Interconnect wiring verified
Test all connected detectors

Replace existing hardwired detectors

Whole-Home System (4-8 detectors)

$500–$1,000

Smoke detectors in all required locations
CO detectors near sleeping areas
Hardwired with battery backup
All units interconnected
Heat detector for kitchen
Complete system testing

Standard 3-4 bedroom home

Smart Detector System

$800–$1,500

Nest Protect or equivalent smart detectors
Phone alerts and voice warnings
Self-testing with app notifications
Professional installation
App setup and training
Integration with existing hardwired (where possible)

Modern connected home protection

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Our Process

1. Code Compliance Assessment

We evaluate your current detector setup against code requirements: smoke detectors inside each bedroom, outside sleeping areas on each level, and on every floor including basement. We also assess CO detector requirements based on fuel-burning appliances.

2. Location Planning

For new installations, we identify optimal mounting locations—typically ceiling-mounted, away from corners, HVAC vents, and windows. For kitchens, we plan heat detector placement instead of smoke detectors to reduce false alarms.

3. Quote & Scheduling

You receive a quote covering all detectors, interconnect wiring, and labor. For simple replacements of existing hardwired detectors, we can often complete the work same-day.

4. Power Off & Preparation

We turn off power to the existing detector circuit at the breaker. For new installations, we identify the best circuit to tap for power and plan the interconnect wire routing.

5. Wiring Installation

For new or expanded systems, we run the power and interconnect wiring through attic space or wall cavities to each detector location. All detectors must be interconnected so when one alarms, they all alarm.

6. Detector Mounting

We install mounting brackets, connect power and interconnect wiring to each detector, and secure the detectors in place. We install fresh backup batteries in every unit.

7. System Testing

We test each detector individually using the test button, then verify the interconnection works—pressing test on one detector should trigger all connected detectors to alarm. We document the test for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about smoke & carbon monoxide detectors

How many smoke detectors do I need?

Code requires detectors in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each level including basement. We'll ensure proper coverage.

What's the benefit of hardwired vs. battery?

Hardwired detectors are interconnected, so all alarms sound when one detects smoke. They're more reliable and meet newer code requirements.

Do I need carbon monoxide detectors?

Yes. Missouri requires CO detectors near sleeping areas in homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages.

How often should smoke detectors be replaced?

Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years, CO detectors every 5-7 years. The manufacture date is printed on the unit.

Can you add detectors to my existing hardwired system?

Usually yes. We can add compatible detectors to expand your existing interconnected system.

What about smart smoke detectors like Nest?

We install Nest Protect and similar smart detectors. They provide phone alerts, voice warnings, and can interconnect wirelessly with existing detectors.

Should I use ionization or photoelectric detectors?

Photoelectric detectors respond faster to smoldering fires, ionization to flaming fires. We recommend dual-sensor models for best protection.

Do I need a heat detector in my kitchen?

Yes. Heat detectors replace smoke detectors in kitchens to reduce false alarms while still providing fire protection.