Project Overview

This client needed to be under $10,000, but did not want to give up on his dream of an automated home. After being turned away from several local integrators he found us. Not only did we come in under budget, he got more than what he thought was possible.

Wiring Plans, Guides, and Pulling Wire

Detailed wiring plans were created after the design and estimate were accepted by the client. Each system was diagramed on its own page, making the plans very readable. Custom guides were also created to ensure that no detail was left unanswered.

To keep costs as low as possible the homeowner pulled all the wire himself. The rough-in went quickly, taking him and a friend only a 3-day weekend to complete.

Getting a lot for the money

What we were able to offer, even in a value system, was downright impressive.

• Dogs Out - Our client has two dogs that often need to go out at night. Our client can simply go to the bedroom touch screen and select the "Dogs Out" button. This will disarm the security system for ten minutes and automatically re-arm. This feature only works when the system is in "Night Mode" to prevent an easy disarm from an intruder.
• Energy Savings - We did some basic lighting control programming tied to the astronomical clock for the outdoor lights. We also tied the indoor system to the security to prevent entering into a dark house. The thermostat programming was advanced, since this couple does a lot of traveling and have conflicting work schedules. We used variable setbacks for weekends/weekdays, nights/mornings and arm/disarm times. It required a full spreadsheet to make it work!
• Security - Vacation mode programming was a priority for these clients as they are frequent travelers. The system will duplicate the clients' actions to simulate that they are home. When home, they use the security system to control the lighting and the HVAC system as well as to secure the home while they are away.
• Entertainment - The audio system was not a major priority for this couple and we gave them a value system with basic music throughout the home and on the patio. It now stays on most of the time they are home!

Home Owner Installation

With our documentation and technical support this client had little trouble getting the system completed on his own. We helped him through a few rough patches early on, but in the end he was truly DIY.

Ongoing Changes & Updates

We worked on programming with this client for so long prior to the system being completed, they have had very few changes outside of the occasional upgrade. We did add in a few more lighting sequences to the vacation mode programming and a "night-light" function tied to the Master Bedroom motion and the Master Bathroom lights.