Home Automation
Discussion
Good Morning All,
I guess this has been up discussion many times.
Anyway we are due to start a project this spring/summer and would like Home Automation.
How far we go down the route will depend on the price.
We would like sound,heating,security and lighting as a minimum.
Has anybody got any good suggestion regarding brands etc that they have installed into there homes.
I have looked into Loxone,Control4,Crestron etc but just be good to receive some advice and previous experiences with any other products.
I know it depends on how fully automated we go and the size of the property but I guess we would be looking at around 20k?
Really wanted control most of the house via the ipad/pc rather than having different devices to control certain areas.
All help/advice is welcome
I guess this has been up discussion many times.
Anyway we are due to start a project this spring/summer and would like Home Automation.
How far we go down the route will depend on the price.
We would like sound,heating,security and lighting as a minimum.
Has anybody got any good suggestion regarding brands etc that they have installed into there homes.
I have looked into Loxone,Control4,Crestron etc but just be good to receive some advice and previous experiences with any other products.
I know it depends on how fully automated we go and the size of the property but I guess we would be looking at around 20k?
Really wanted control most of the house via the ipad/pc rather than having different devices to control certain areas.
All help/advice is welcome
I would say to choose the installer rather than the technology. They should be able to show you lots of experience installing the solution they recommend, multiple case studies and maybe let you talk to a customer with a similar sized system.
For £20k you wont be at the Crestron or Control4 level but I know a lot of smaller guys use Loxone and seem to like it. I don't know pricing for it though.
If you want help with any specifics then feel free to ask - i'll be impartial as the project isn't one we would get involved in.
For £20k you wont be at the Crestron or Control4 level but I know a lot of smaller guys use Loxone and seem to like it. I don't know pricing for it though.
If you want help with any specifics then feel free to ask - i'll be impartial as the project isn't one we would get involved in.
Firstly, forget any products of hardware manufacturers for the moment.
What you think would work for you may not actually achieve your desires. You run the potential to be disapointed or over budget.
As NorthDave has said, find an installer that you are happy can meet ypur nèeds and then work with them to build your ideal kit combination / solution.
For me as an installer, it really hangs on where you are, doing the actual project isnt the difficult bit, it is how to support you and evolve the project afterwards if you are 2 hrs in the opposite direct to your installers usual work load.
Hapoy to be involved if your local or even a sounding board if not.
V.
What you think would work for you may not actually achieve your desires. You run the potential to be disapointed or over budget.
As NorthDave has said, find an installer that you are happy can meet ypur nèeds and then work with them to build your ideal kit combination / solution.
For me as an installer, it really hangs on where you are, doing the actual project isnt the difficult bit, it is how to support you and evolve the project afterwards if you are 2 hrs in the opposite direct to your installers usual work load.
Hapoy to be involved if your local or even a sounding board if not.
V.
Sorry Gents for the No response as I'm out of the country until mid Feb.
Thank you for the replies.
As you say it's not going to be cheap, but whichever I choose we're looking at something that's easy to upgrade and good customer service in general.
It's an old barn that we are converting so will be wiring from scratch. Whether we go down the route of full installation by one of the companies or working with our own sparky is a ?
One of the guys I work with has just installed Control 4. He said for his music(All rooms 4 Bed house) and TV he paid 15k with two rooms surround sound. That was up near Aberdeen
We are based in North Lincolnshire.
I have spoken to Loxone based over Donny way but were looking for further options.
My architect will be carrying out the tendering of the project and management, I'm sure he will gulp when I tell him what we intend on the home automation.
Good for an email now!!
Cheers
Thank you for the replies.
As you say it's not going to be cheap, but whichever I choose we're looking at something that's easy to upgrade and good customer service in general.
It's an old barn that we are converting so will be wiring from scratch. Whether we go down the route of full installation by one of the companies or working with our own sparky is a ?
One of the guys I work with has just installed Control 4. He said for his music(All rooms 4 Bed house) and TV he paid 15k with two rooms surround sound. That was up near Aberdeen
We are based in North Lincolnshire.
I have spoken to Loxone based over Donny way but were looking for further options.
My architect will be carrying out the tendering of the project and management, I'm sure he will gulp when I tell him what we intend on the home automation.
Good for an email now!!
Cheers
Edited by RoamingBull on Tuesday 24th January 06:51
Take a look at KNX also, as it opens you up to hundreds of different manufacturers using the same cable infrastructure and communication protocol.
As others have said, find an installer that you're happy with first, then work out which hardware to use.
Where possible, we use KNX for the core house functionality- lighting, hvac, door entry etc, and Control4 or Crestron for the AV.
As much as the AV manufacturers want to sell you a complete solution, it is rarely the best choice.
Loxone is a great alternative to KNX, and can form part of a KNX system where budgets are tight.
We're in London, so wouldn't be your first choice as a contractor, but give myknxstore (part of Park Group) a call for a recommendation of an installer near you.
As others have said, find an installer that you're happy with first, then work out which hardware to use.
Where possible, we use KNX for the core house functionality- lighting, hvac, door entry etc, and Control4 or Crestron for the AV.
As much as the AV manufacturers want to sell you a complete solution, it is rarely the best choice.
Loxone is a great alternative to KNX, and can form part of a KNX system where budgets are tight.
We're in London, so wouldn't be your first choice as a contractor, but give myknxstore (part of Park Group) a call for a recommendation of an installer near you.
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