They cost 2 to 3 times as much as a normal pump. I got my Ikeric pump directly from the maker as there are no East Cost reps/installers. As such, I think I got a really great price, but still expensive (lets say just north of a thousand). As I said, the Intellipumps, from Pentair, are very similar (although I think the electronics may be enclosed in the pump motor housing, not in a separate box) and I think they start in the 1200 range. (The Ikeric pump is a rebadged Pentair, they basically replace the motor and add the electronic box).

I was going to put in a 2 speed anyway because my 2HP Hayward Superpump was driving me crazy - too noisy. The cost difference between a 2 speed plus relays and the Ikeric wasn't that much, and I love that I can (and have) adjusted the various "speeds" to suit my needs make it a relatively painless decision. To me, it was much like my SWG decision, strictly based on cost it might not be worth it, but with the extra benefits (such as much lower noise), it was.