Unless you’re crazy rich and the house is really big money don’t do a panel. It really locks you into to a single infrastructure and if the controller fails you lose everything in the house. And if that happens after X years and you can’t repair or replace the controller it’s a nightmare. I’ve seen it happen a few times after lightning strikes and it ain’t pretty.
Sounds like an expensive solution. If ligth is your only concern, a far cheaper alternative is Ikea tradfri bulbs and switches are a better option. No installation or electrician needed at all. Just replace your bulbs for $10 each. You could have your whole house full of these for 200-300$.
Ikea tradfri is based on Zigbee standard så you can add as many sensors as you wish.
What’s the price point he is suggesting per switch? Or what switch is he recommending? At this point Zigbee and zwave are rapidly on their way out. I’d rather think seriously about what light switches I’d want smart, and get the more future proof models. Worst case you get a couple ones down the line when they drop in price.
@Christian
Zigbee and Zwave are NOT on their way out, what are you on about?
Matter over wifi should be sufficient for a home setup.