Using a smart home professional
Making the decision to invest in a smart home is always exciting. Whether you’ve already embraced a range of smart technologies, or are starting from scratch, the possibilities are manifold. But before you get carried away with choosing devices and planning elaborate lighting designs, it’s crucial to find the right smart home professional to assist with design and installation. Here, we outline what to expect when working with an expert.
Research
Doing research is the first step to finding the right provider. Ask friends for recommendations and/or research local professionals online. Be sure to read independent reviews of their service and check out their portfolio to see if their work matches your requirements.
Planning
Once you’ve found an expert to help with your smart home setup, they’ll want to meet you for a consultation. They will ask questions about your lifestyle, preferences and budget to determine your current needs, as well as any future requirements you may have. They will also need to assess your existing WiFi capability, as this might need to be upgraded before you’re able to get started.
With this information, your smart home professional will make product suggestions and create a plan that achieves your goals within your budget. It’s important at this stage to be clear about what you want and address any changes you require; trying to alter things mid-project can prove costly and time consuming.
When you’re happy with the plans, you’ll receive a complete scope of work with itemised products, as well as an estimated installation time.
Installation
When you’ve given the plans the green light, you can arrange a convenient time for the smart home professional to visit your home and begin installation. If you are planning renovations alongside your installation, you will need to liaise with any other professionals – such as builders or electricians – who will be carrying out work simultaneously. The best results come from a cohesive strategy and plenty of communication.
When the installation is complete, your provider will train and educate you on the system and its capabilities. If you have engaged an authorised Control4 installer, for example, they will talk you through how to program and change various settings to suit your needs.
Post-installation
When selecting a smart home professional it’s wise to choose a company that offers ongoing maintenance and monitoring of your system. The best providers will be happy to answer questions further down the line, come and resolve any issues that may arise, or discuss new projects you’re interested in. This is where opting for a quality operating system like Control4 is also worthwhile, as you’ll benefit from ongoing remote maintenance and security upgrades.
Smart homes in the south east
At New Wave AV, we have over 20 years’ experience installing smart homes for both private and commercial customers. As a Control4 specialist, we have the expertise to complete the most complex of projects, delivering results that are personalised to your needs. Contact our Kent or Surrey showroom today to book a demonstration – we serve customers across these two counties as well as in Essex, London and Sussex.
