Myself and the team recently completed a full Lutron RA3 Smart Lighting installation in a 4-bedroom West London house, and it's totally transformed the property.
The goal was simple:
👉 Make lighting easy and intuitive to use — not have switches everywhere like the flight deck of a commercial airliner.
💡 The lighting needed to be functional but also create bespoke ambience settings for both cold winter nights and summer parties.
💡 Enable full Lutron App control so the client can control lights when nobody is home.
💡 Have an "All Off" switch to literally turn off every light in the house when walking out the door.
💡 Future-proof the system and seamlessly dim LED bulbs without flickering.
What We Installed
The project formed part of a wider Lutron smart lighting installation designed to future-proof the property while keeping the lighting effortless to use day-to-day.
Lutron RA3 smart lighting system processor
Scene-based lighting control throughout the house
Beautiful brushed brass keypads throughout the house for main controls, alongside numerous wireless Pico remote switches
Fully integrated garden lighting
Complete app control
How Long Did It Take?
The full installation was completed in a matter of days rather than weeks, with no rewiring and no damage to walls or decoration.
Because Lutron RA3 runs on Lutron's dedicated Clear Connect wireless technology — completely independent of the home's Wi-Fi — the new keypads and dimmers simply replaced the existing switches. No chasing walls, no redecorating, and no interference from the household Wi-Fi network. This is exactly why RA3 is such a strong choice for retrofit projects in period London homes.
The Big Outcomes For The Client
✔ Seamless dimming (no flicker) 🤯 — this was driving everyone mad!
Lighting transitions are now smooth, stable and consistent across all rooms — no harsh steps or flickering.
✔ Scene control
We created multiple lighting scenes, including:
- Relax
- Entertain
- Evening
- All Off
- Movie
- Cooking
- Chill Out
So instead of controlling individual lights, the client can control the entire atmosphere with one button. No fiddling with dimmer dials. Just one silent button press and the Lutron system sets the perfect lighting levels.
✔ "All Off" functionality
One of the most obvious — and already most used — features:
👉 A single button turns off the entire house.
Simple, but a huge quality-of-life upgrade. ⬆️
✔ Garden lighting integration 🍀🍀🌸🌷
Outdoor lighting is now:
- Controlled from inside the house, the Lutron App and wireless remote switches
- Included in scenes for full alfresco living
- Automated with schedules - this means some lights will automatically work with local sunrise and sunset times or specific hours of the day defined by the client.
✔ App control + scheduling
The client can now:
- Control lighting from anywhere
- Set schedules (morning / evening routines)
- Adjust scenes instantly
The system also works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit — although most day-to-day control happens through the keypads and scenes.
The Result
Complete bespoke ambience lighting throughout the house:
- Feels effortless to use
- Enhances the home
- And can easily be expanded in the future
What Does a Project Like This Cost?
Every Lutron project is different, but as a guide, a whole-home Lutron RA3 installation in a typical four-bedroom London property usually falls somewhere in the region of £8,000 to £15,000+, depending on the number of circuits, keypads, lighting scenes and any garden lighting or blind integration.
Smaller projects — a single floor, or the main living spaces — can be done for considerably less, and because RA3 is wireless, the system can be expanded room by room over time rather than all at once.
For an accurate price, we always recommend a site visit so we can assess the existing wiring and circuits.
Thinking About Lutron RA3?
If you're upgrading a home in London, our Lutron installer London team can advise whether RA3 is the right system for:
- Retrofit projects
- Smart lighting upgrades
- Whole-home control
Lutron RA3 can often be installed without major rewiring or damage to walls and surfaces, especially when the project is planned by experienced Lutron-certified engineers. Often it can be retrofitted to an existing wiring system.
RA3 sits in the middle of the Lutron range — more capable than Caséta, and simpler and more retrofit-friendly than a full HomeWorks system — which makes it the sweet spot for most London homes.
We provide Lutron installation services across London and the surrounding areas, including projects in Buckinghamshire and Oxford.
If you're thinking of upgrading your lighting in the next month or two, contact us for a full appraisal.
We've also used similar Lutron-ready lighting approaches in commercial environments, including this London gym LED strip lighting project.
FAQs
What is Lutron RA3?
Lutron RA3 is a premium smart lighting control system that allows homeowners to control lighting scenes, dimming, schedules and automation throughout the home. It sits between Lutron's entry-level Caséta system and the flagship HomeWorks system.
Can Lutron RA3 be retrofitted into existing homes?
Yes. Lutron RA3 is ideal for retrofit projects and can often be installed without major rewiring or damage to walls. It runs on Lutron's dedicated Clear Connect wireless technology, so the new controls simply replace your existing switches.
How much does Lutron RA3 cost to install?
As a guide, a whole-home RA3 installation in a four-bedroom London property typically costs in the region of £8,000 to £15,000+, depending on the number of circuits, keypads and scenes. Smaller projects cost less, and the system can be expanded over time. Contact us for an accurate quote.
How long does a Lutron RA3 installation take?
A typical whole-home RA3 retrofit is usually completed within a few days, with minimal disruption — no rewiring, wall chasing or redecorating is normally required.
Does Lutron RA3 work with LED lighting?
Yes. One of the biggest advantages of Lutron RA3 is smooth, flicker-free dimming with compatible LED lighting.
Can I control Lutron lighting from my phone?
Yes. The Lutron app allows full remote control of lighting, scenes and schedules from anywhere. RA3 also works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit.
What is the difference between Lutron RA3 and HomeWorks?
HomeWorks is Lutron's flagship system, designed for the largest homes and new builds with wired infrastructure and unlimited scale. RA3 delivers most of the same day-to-day experience — scenes, keypads, app control and flicker-free dimming — wirelessly, making it faster to install and better suited to retrofits and most London homes.
What are lighting scenes?
Lighting scenes allow multiple lights to be controlled together with one button press, creating different moods such as Relax, Entertain or Movie mode.
