What planning should i consider for future home automation ?

4 years ago

I have just bought a new house which i am planning to completely renovate back to the bare walls and ceilings. I like the idea of home automation and new tech trends. I may not be able to afford to automate everything from the beginning but i want to lay the foundations so that in the future i can add more automation with minimal effort. What sort of things should i plan?

For Example i am going to install Sonos ceiling speakers in 2 or 3 zones so i will run speaker wire to the rooms which is cheap enough then add the speakers when i have the funds to do so.

I know a lot of home automation can run wireless now days but i don't want to miss this opportunity while im still in the planning phase. I'd appreciate peoples thoughts or previous experience. Plus any recommendations on home automation systems you are using would be helpful.

Featured Answer

E D

4 years ago

Nice idea to prepare for automation in your home.

The only thing I would say though is speakers in the ceiling don't sound great.

Comments (12)

rinked
4 years ago
Ikea sells Sonos speakers (but they don't say it's made by Sonos). No advise on automation, sorry.
PRO
Design By Kurys
4 years ago
https://www.homecontrol.uk.com/
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Observations more than criticism .... Most fridge freezers need a gap between the wall and the appliance so the door can open fully . The bathroom looks a little on the snug side around the loo/wall spacing ?! Make sure that you leave enough gap between fridge and breakfast bar to enable you to remove and replace fridge freezer and cooker if you need to . You might need an umbrella handy when you go outside to the Laundry area ? Unless you are in a warm dry climate ?! Keep you closet tidy at all times incase a visitor needs the loo while they are with you ! This setup might work if you are incredibly tidy ! Otherwise there's no where to hide clutter !!
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We completed a loft conversion and 2 storey rear extension last year. Originally we were going to do this in two phases due to budget. But soon realised it was best to be disrupted by builders once rather than twice. Just a few tips. My house is a typical 1920's semi, so the new staircase to the loft took up nearly all the box room. But we compensated for this by extending out by 4 m. All the bedroom ceilings needed to be lowered. Which was well worth doing to get a good ceiling height in the loft and get rid of all the artex bedroom ceilings. There are three RSJ's in the attic floor. As well as further ones on the ground floor. My rear foundations needed reinforcing too( they were in poor condition). We had a contingency budget of 10% but really needed 20%. We also moved into a rental house whilst the work was on. The time scale was six months but ended up being eight. We only got the keys back from the builders before Christmas. Still have to sort out the garden as we hadn't asked the builders to put in a patio to the rear of the house(due to lack of budget and foresight) . So now sit at my kitchen island looking out through my bi folds onto a muddy patchy lawn. To keep costs down all the walls and ceilings were tradesmen white. Carpet and vinyl for the floors. The bathrooms and kitchen were on sale as well as appliances. We also needed a new boiler as the old one couldn't handle the new radiators and extra bathroom ( a vented high pressure combi system was installed).
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Am wondering if it is worth your time adding an extension. Is the garage fully detached or does it have a shared wall with next doors? if the later you will need their permission and a party wall agreement. That will all add time and cost. The drain suggests that there are utilities under the drive: you cannot build on those without permission, though you can move them at your own cost. Also, how will you access the back garden if you extend over the drive? how wide is the drive? With insulation is it going to be worth adding a room as they will be tiny rooms. I would consider a rear extension to gain real space and knocking down the garage to keep garden space.
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Hi everyone. I would love to hear you thoughts on my house plans...
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I'm glad you like my tweaking. It's not worth worrying too much about the utility room at this point, better to sweat the big stuff. Seeing as this project is still a couple/few years away I now have enough to juggle it all around in my head in the mean time, and much will depend on the budget we have available at that time. I think we can let it lie at this point for now, thanks to everyone for your thoughts and opinions. The only thing I would still really like to know; is if anyone has a recommendation for (free or good value) software that will make it easier to make plans and 3d CGI models. As you can see, I like to work the Photoshop, but it's a bit cumbersome for this type of thing (I've used Sketchup - is that the best?) Andrew
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Jonathan
4 years ago
Almost everything can be controlled wirelessly but of course you will need a power supply in the right place.
This means if you want an electric gate, or a security entry system, outside security cameras, or garage door opener, or automatic window blinds or garden lighting you need to put a power supply to unconventional locations in your home. You might also consider where the burglar alarm might go, where you will charge your cordless vacuum (might need a socket under the stairs), where you intend to put your router too.
You should also consider the demands on your power supply, ensure your consumer unit is big enough and consider what energy saving options you might choose to balance your bills (such as solar power or Air Source heat pumps).
Since you are stripping everything back consider underfloor heating for a cleaner look (but check out if this affects your future ability to get grants for an ASHP).
And since you are stripping everything back consider getting professional advice on creating the right atmosphere rather than putting spotlights everywhere which can over light a room.
Daza
4 years ago
if rewiring then you might want to ask the electrician to 'loop in/out' at the switches, rather than the ceiling roses, so that there is a neutral there. Many smart switches need a neutral at the switch and it's not usually there.
Anturos Arhaus
2 years ago
Thanks everyone for sharing all those good answers!
Pearl Oguchi
2 years ago
Home automation is easier than many people think. You don’t need any installation for most devices. Get the smart devices; bulbs, kettles, door locks, cameras, vacuum cleaner, sound system, TV etc and set it up on alexa or google home or Apple home. It’s much cheaper than building it into your home and if you move, you can take it all with you.
PRO
Design By Kurys
2 years ago
Hi James, just a security warning, bear in mind that devices like kettles, boilers etc won't have firewalls, they can act like a back door for hackers to get into your wifi system.
James
Original Author
2 years ago
Hi All, thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I’ve recently completed my project at the end of April. In the end I opted to hardwire security cameras and went for a dedicated smart security system. I put cat 6 cabling to each room and hard wired speakers in the ceilings. The rest of my smart home tech is wireless and it’s all working really well.
Ryan Leach
11 months ago
Hey, congrats on your new house and the renovation project! Post some pics of your new place. Planning for home automation is a smart move, and it's great that you're thinking ahead.
Edward Rosales
11 months ago
last modified: 11 months ago
Running speaker wire for future Sonos ceiling speakers is a wise choice. It's always easier to lay the foundation during renovations.

In terms of home automation systems, there are many options out there. Personally, I recently came across Vivint, and they seem to have some interesting smart home devices and solutions to consider. It's worth checking them out for some inspiration.

I'm also in the process of setting up my own smart home, and I've found that a combination of wired and wireless devices works well. Hardwiring security cameras and speakers is a solid choice while keeping other smart home tech wireless for flexibility.
seylen
8 months ago
last modified: 8 months ago
Creating an automated home is an excellent idea, and it's crucial to prioritize safety and reliability when integrating smart devices. One essential aspect to consider is UL certification, which plays a significant role in ensuring the products' quality and safety standards. UL certification, offered by reputable organizations like https://360compliance.co/ul-certification/, guarantees that the devices have undergone rigorous testing and meet the necessary safety requirements. It can be tempting to opt for cheaper, uncertified devices. Non-certified devices may not have undergone proper testing for potential hazards like electrical faults, fire hazards, or compromised security protocols. By choosing UL-certified products, you can rest assured that the devices have been thoroughly examined for safety, and they meet industry standards. In an automated home, various interconnected devices communicate with each other and the central hub. The last thing you want is for one faulty device to cause a chain reaction of problems.

What planning should i consider for future home automation ?

E D

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rinked

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