Smart Home Technology Worth Including in Your Custom Build

Custom-built homes provide opportunity. Buyers can choose anything they’d like, from the layout to the look of the exterior and everything inside the home to make sure it meets their needs exactly now and into the future. Today, many buyers are interested in creating a smart home, and during the building process is the perfect time to include the latest in technology.

Why Consider Smart Home Technology?

Many buyers who are building a custom home might wonder, Is smart home technology worth it? The primary benefit of a smart home is control. With a smart home, owners can control anything internet-connected throughout the home, even if they’re away.

There’s no more worrying about whether the lights were turned off or if the thermostat is set properly. Whether the homeowner is relaxing at home or away on vacation, they can check on their home, control the lights, appliances, and other devices, and make sure their home is exactly the way they want it.

What Offers More Value for the Dollar

Is there such a thing as too many smart appliances? What smart devices or appliances should be installed from the start? Home buyers will want to make sure they choose the devices and appliances that are going to provide the best value for them – and that differs from buyer to buyer. Home buyers looking to add smart devices to their custom home may want to consider the following to choose the right smart home items to install.

• What does the device or appliance do?
• Is it necessary/beneficial to be able to control the device away from home?
• Is it necessary/beneficial to be able to check on the device at any time?
• What is the cost for the device, installation, and maintenance?

Adding Smart Features During the Building Process

Smart devices can be added to the home at any time, but it’s often beneficial to do it while working with a custom home builder and before the home is built. While the home is being built, smart features can be seamlessly added to the home.

If the home is already built, adding smart devices may involve upgrading the internet connection, adding wired connections throughout the house, expanding the wi-fi reach in the home, and running wires in the walls. Doing this while the home is being built cuts down on the cost of installing smart devices and appliances, plus helps to ensure everything is ready to go when it’s time to move in.

Future-Proofing the Home

While building a custom home, it’s crucial to think about what the future will hold. That’s part of the benefit of building a custom home – it’s possible to make sure there are plenty of electrical outlets or a completely modern kitchen with all of the desired conveniences. This is why adding smart features and devices is such a good idea. It’s another way to future-proof the home and make sure everything is set up to keep on top of the changes and trends in technology.

Smart Lighting Options

Most people have climbed into bed at night, exhausted and ready to sleep, and wondered if they turned off all of the lights in the home. No one wants to get up and wander through the house to make sure the lights are out. That’s where smart lighting options can help. Buyers can choose to install smart bulbs or have smart switches installed while the home is being built.

Smart switches are often the better choice when building a home, as they’ll work with almost any light fixture or bulbs. Once the buyer moves in, they can simply ask a voice assistant to make sure the lights are turned off or use an app on their phone to turn them all off. Or, if desired, they can schedule the lights to turn off at a specific time – and to turn back on when they’re ready to get up in the morning.

Add a Smart Thermostat

Another common device that home buyers will want to consider is adding a smart thermostat. For years, programmable thermostats have been the standard when building a home, as they make it easy to have the temperature automatically adjusted depending on the season and time of day.

However, smart thermostats can take it a step further. The thermostats can learn about the household and automatically adjust when no one is home to save money. They can also be controlled with a voice assistant or smartphone, making it easy to adjust the home’s temperature from anywhere.

Smart Security Systems

Home security can benefit from smart features and automation, too. From the locks used on exterior doors of the home to installing a smart security system, buyers can make sure the entire home is secured and that the family is safe.

Smart security can include smart locks, home security systems, alarms on doors and windows, and a lot more. Plus, unlike basic security options, homeowners can get alerts on their phone whenever a door or window is open and can check to make sure everything’s locked even if they’re on vacation.

Smart Irrigation Systems

Programmable irrigation systems can be beneficial, but they are lacking in functionality. They may go off even if it’s rained recently or is expected to rain, and it can be difficult to change the programming based on the time of the year.

A smart irrigation system, on the other hand, is connected to the internet. It knows when rain is expected, so the yard won’t be watered a day ahead of heavy rain. It can also adjust automatically based on the season or be easily adjusted through the smartphone app, making it far more convenient to use.

Include Smart Kitchen Appliances

Smart kitchen appliances help the kitchen work for the homeowner. There’s no need to wait for a cup of coffee in the morning – it can make itself and be ready when the homeowner wakes up. Smart ovens can be set to turn on and preheat at a certain time or even start cooking foods at the right time.

Smart refrigerators can even let the homeowner know what’s inside while they’re at the grocery store, so they don’t overpurchase food or forget something important. Homeowners can choose from a wide range of smart kitchen appliances for modern convenience.

Home Entertainment

Media rooms are getting closer to offering the movie experience from home, and smart devices are helping. Setting up the media room with smart devices can make it far more enjoyable to relax and watch a movie with friends and family. Just a few taps in an app or a few words to a voice assistant can turn the lights down, turn on the TV, and get everything ready for movie night. During the home building process, have wiring and connections installed to make it easier to set up a smart home entertainment center for the perfect movie nights.

Window Treatments Automation

Natural light provides plenty of benefits, but opening and closing the curtains (especially in a large home) may not exactly be on the list of fun things to do. However, even this can be automated in a smart home. Smart devices can be installed with the curtains to make it easy to automate them so they open and close at the desired time each day. Changes are easy through the connected app, and it’s possible to open or close the curtains at any time, even when away from home.

Getting Started With Home Automation

The best time to add smart features and devices is while the home is being built. Before doing this, though, there are a few things the home buyer will want to do. This will help ensure they choose the devices that work best for their lifestyle and that they’re ready to use everything when the home is move-in ready.

• Choose the Right Devices to Install – It’s a good idea to think about what devices are needed or desired in the home. Narrow down the types of devices to purchase and where they’ll be placed inside the home.
• Talk to the Custom Builder – Talk to the custom builder about what features they can install, as well as how the home can be set up with more outlets or ethernet connections to make it easy to add smart devices in the future.
• Pick Out Brands and Features – Choose the specific brands and features to install and provide all of the details to the custom home builder.
• Learn How to Use Smart Devices – Take some time to learn about how to use the smart features and devices in the home, including how to set up home automation features and how to access everything when away from home.

If you’re planning on purchasing a custom-built home, don’t forget about technology when you’re working on the design. Make the home work for you by including numerous smart home devices and appliances, so you can get all of the benefits they offer. Talk to a custom home builder today to learn more about how they can help create a smart home for you.