Simple lighting solution needed

^ There are a lot of options and the word affordable is a bit vague since that can be different per person. What comes to my mind as affordable is INSTEON, and perhaps Lowes new IRIS system. What I don't see offered with IRIS is way to do lighting scenes but I don't have direct experience with it yet. I am going to setup a simple IRIS system this weekend for a friend.

I don't have direct experience with Insteon, but they say to go with ISY99 out of the gate for a much more reliable hardware solution. I think you have some very good programming capabilities as well. I am thinking of trying Insteon in the same home I installed the IRIS this weekend. The IRIS is a pretty basic cloud based and I use the term lightly home automation system. It doesn't allow you to do any more complex conditional coding and is limited to what the provide with their Magic Rules, for example, When Button Pushed toggle Light Module A. Also for scheduling lights to come on at a certain time there is no lighting scenes/groups and as it is deviced based and not schedule based meaning that a schedule has to be set for each controlling device.

If you go Insteon post your thoughts.

With insteon, just replace each switch you want to control with a SwitchLinc and replace the most convenient location with a KeypadLinc. Would cost less than $300 to control 5 loads (different switches).

No need for an ISY for that simple of a set up. If you want to be able to control the lighting with a smartphone I would recommend the ISY otherwise that is not needed.

With insteon, there is no need to do special wiring, just have your uncle wire it as if it was going to be a normal room in any house.