ONCE YOU’VE DECIDED TO MAKE YOUR HOME TRULY “SMART,” YOU’LL WANT TO BRING IN A PROFESSIONAL — A TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATOR WHO’S WELL-VERSED IN INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING THESE SYSTEMS.

As you begin that journey, here are five critical things that will help make the project successful:
Think about your needs and wants. What’s important to you? Music everywhere? Movie night? Security? Spectacular lighting solutions that function automatically? Make a list and prioritise what you want from your smart home. Be ready for an open and honest discussion about what you know (and what you don’t). A good integrator doesn’t expect you to know everything — you’ll find that the best ones are eager to share their technological knowledge. The best professionals will walk you through the options, answer all your questions comprehensively and recommend the systems and brands that you can 100% rely on.
Do a little research. Here’s where to start: call and speak to the specialists from the leading smart home brands. Just ask them to recommend a specialist smart home installer in your area. If you get several names, ask around. Maybe your builder, architect, designer — or even neighbour — is familiar with one of those firms. And don’t be shy about asking for references when you think you’ve found a good candidate.
Bring the technology integrator in at the beginning. Whether you’re building a new home or remodelling an older one, you want to plan your technology needs at the very beginning, right along with the other infrastructure that goes into the project. Low-voltage lines that carry data run behind walls in much the same manner as higher-voltage electrical wiring. Additionally, if you’re planning on hiding or disguising any part of the system (such as tucking a TV behind a panel that slides away, for example), it’s critical to make those decisions before a single nail is driven.
Don’t expect your Wi-Fi network to handle everything. Wireless connectivity is constantly improving, but it’s still a much less reliable solution than a cabled network. Any robust smart home system needs a solid, hard-wired backbone, and you’ll also need to dedicate some part of the space to equipment racks — the heart of the network. Talk to your integrator about potential future upgrades, too: A properly designed system will be able to handle technological advances.
Be prepared to talk about service contracts. Your smart-home system isn’t like the plumbing or electrical infrastructure in your home — think about it as something more akin to your car. It will need service and updates. Your integrator will likely offer you a contract; perhaps a monthly, fee based service agreement as opposed to a “charge-per-visit” scenario. A lot of services can be performed remotely these days, and regular maintenance of your system can prevent any number of problems.

Hiring a professional integrator is paramount when it comes to ensuring the seamless integration and functionality of complex technological systems in both residential and commercial spaces. These professionals possess the expertise, experience, and technical know-how required to design, install, and maintain sophisticated audio-visual, automation, and networking solutions tailored to the specific needs of their clients.

One of the key benefits of hiring a professional integrator is their ability to streamline the entire process, from initial consultation to final implementation, resulting in a more efficient and effective solution. Moreover, their thorough understanding of various technologies enables them to optimise performance and enhance user experience while minimising potential issues and complications.

Choosing a CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) member as your integrator further ensures a higher standard of professionalism and quality. CEDIA members adhere to strict industry standards and guidelines, undergo rigorous training and certification processes, and stay updated on the latest advancements and best practices in the field. This affiliation not only signifies their commitment to excellence but also provides clients with peace of mind knowing that their project is in capable hands.
Why not speak to a Luxavo Specialist Integrator?
Send us a copy of your plans and a brief outline of your design goals. We'll do the rest!
Speak with a Luxavo specialist today about your residential or commercial integrated automated systems.
We are Ireland's leading registered dealers for Control4, Crestron, Lutron and Dynalite.
Email: info@luxavo.ie or Phone: (01) 908 1202 or (042) 942 0261

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