Tips for a Successful Home Tech Project

The earlier you can meet with the technology integrator, the better. Often they will have design suggestions that can improve the system, and getting the integrator involved at the beginning will make for a smoother workflow and help all the trades stick closer to your timeline.

Maximize your home's technology systems capabilities by having your architect, builder or remodeler, and interior designer collaborate and partner with a CEDIA integrator from the beginning of the planning process.

The integrator is not expecting you to know all the intricate details of the project — that's their job. Instead, describe big ideas and concepts like, "We want music in these rooms" or "I want to be able to control these lights" or "I want a surround system in this room, but it can't dominate the room's décor." The integrator can take these big-picture statements and turn them into a system design. However, be sure to mention any must-haves. Notes like "We have a large movie collection that needs to be managed," "I need to be able to remotely access my system," or "I want full control from my phone" will help the integrator design a system that fully meets your needs and expectations.

Depending on the scope of work to be done, systems can range in price from the thousands to well over six figures. Having some kind of budget in mind will allow the integrator to deliver the best system for your budget by choosing the best components and allocating your dollars where they will maximize performance.

The integrator will likely want to visit your home and look at the space before a proposal is generated. This is especially true in retrofit jobs where things like running wiring can be quite difficult. Also, walking through a space makes it easier to visualize which products and designs will best fit.

Whether you're building or remodeling, start with a wiring plan that can support both your current and future needs. Though wireless devices and applications are everywhere, hard-wired infrastructure is still required to support them. Proper wiring can also make it easier — and less costly — to make additions and changes to your system as new technologies become available.

Find an integrator that allows you to experience the thrill of a high-performance system. Few people have the time to research all the hardware choices. It's smarter to focus on the end result and make your choices based on overall performance and value. Additionally, easy-to-use, all-in-one remote controls can be custom programmed so they make perfect sense to you and focus on the functions you want at your fingertips. Current technologies also offer intuitive control from mobile devices anywhere in the world.

After discussing your needs and wants and viewing your space, the integrator will prepare a proposal. Typically this is for a "turnkey" system and includes delivery, installation, setup, programming and support. Some integrators will give proposals with good/better/best options, allowing you to step up or down according to your needs and budget.

If you're not sure of something -- anything -- just ask. It's much better to voice any concerns early on in the project when changes can easily be made to the system design.