Written by: Tim Parsons P.Eng
Integration of home technology into new or existing homes has never been easier….. provided the Architectural drawings have the necessary provisions, provided the supervising professional is armed with the tools and knowledge they need, and provided there is an overall plan for the home technology aspect of the project. Below are some of the more common challenges faced by other Architects who integrate home technology into their projects..... and how those challenges are solved.
Challenge #1: What’s the plan?
What would happen if Architectural drawings were provided to a client without dimensions of rooms, without structural information, or without windows? How would a builder know what to build? The short answer is they wouldn’t – and the resulting project would likely include several retroactive changes along the way that cost time and money.
The same is true with integrated home technology. What would happen if construction of a home commenced without the necessary provisions for integrating a lighting control system, a heating automation system, or an entertainment system? Likely there would be retroactive changes that cost time and money, or worst yet, it would be impossible to incorporate the home technology expected by the homeowner.
The solution to this challenge is simple – full design drawings of the integrated home technology system that accompany the Architectural drawings, complete with all of the necessary provisions to allow the home technology to be integrated during the building of the home – design drawings that are complete and certified.
Challenge #2: Who’s doing what?
It is incumbent upon professionals supervising projects to understand the division of responsibilities of those working on the project. The question of the supervising professional then becomes how do I determine the division of responsibilities in a new and challenging field, like home technology, that is being demanded by my clients? Much like Architectural drawings provide guidance to the builder on how to construct the home, a set of home technology design drawings provide guidance to supervising professionals on what is expected of others working on the project, including integrated home technology.
Challenge #3: The “go to” person
In an industry where everyone seems to be doing their own thing, it becomes increasingly important that guidance and support be provided at every step of the process – whether by way of design drawings, in-person and on-site consultation, inspections and sign-off, technical support, or otherwise, a “go to” person is needed.
Challenge #4: Cost overruns
Several factors contribute to cost overruns – some are under our control and some are not. For example, we cannot directly control the cost of lumber, or the cost of copper, nor are we directly able to control the shortage of skilled people or the available of select materials when we may need them. But we can control cost overruns that result from inadequate planning, leading to retroactive changes later on.
Challenge #5: Quality workmanship
Quality workmanship remains a challenge, and is particularly challenging during booming economic times. We would suggest that Architects seeking home technology professionals look for industry recognized certifications of the firm and its employees who are designing the integrated home technology system. Firms that have a process for doing business with clear deliverables that are well understood and are helpful to the project.
Challenge #6: Managing risk
Giving clients choice of equipment suppliers distributes client risk from putting all of their eggs in one basket with one dealer.
Challenge #7: Qualifying the work
Unfortunately, there are few standards in the industry that ensure the home technology system is installed well and will work reliably into the future, and still ever fewer firms that follow the standards that do exist. This underscores the importance of a professionally designed system that provides installers with the necessary guidelines to ensure installation is done well.