Start Designing Your Home Technology

Get Started By Building Your Home Technology Design And Budget.

HTA Certified firms undergo a rigorous background check to ensure they are technically competent, demonstrate solid customer service, and have a positive reputation. Less than 10% of companies will reach this status!

Get started by filling out our Create a Budget Form. “Turn-key” Pricing will be sent to you within 1-2 business days.

As a consumer, you should know that there is a Certification Program for our Industry. It’s administered by the Home Technology Association. Only about 10% of home automation installation companies in this industry will meet the standards to pass this certification. Our company is in that top 10%. You should make sure that any company who bids on your project is HTA Certified. It’s hard to figure out who the good companies are, the HTA does a great job of weeding out the bad apples .

In about 20 questions we can get you to a realistic budget range for all of the home automation technology in your home. If you really know what you want, you can breeze through this in about 5 minutes or less. If you need to think about things, expect it to take you about 8 minutes or so. If you would rather us fill out this form for you Give Us A Call.

*The calculated home technology budget range you will receive will includes parts, labor & accessories (Tax not included)
(a round number is OK)
Numerous structures on the property: Dock, Casita, Guest House, Barn, Gate etc. Check all that apply.
Prewire installation calculations assume you would like your home fully wired for ALL home automation technologies shown throughout the budget calculator, including 'future-ready' wiring. Prewire pricing can vary substantially based on what features you would like in your home. The wiring budget is for low-voltage wiring, not for electrical.
Prewire pricing will vary based on exactly what features you would like in your home. Read this article about the importance of wiring/cabling in today's "wireless" world. Your local Smarter Homes integrator is the best resource for exact prewire pricing. Wiring budget is for low-voltage wiring only, not electrical.
Keep in mind that our modern lifestyle and our home's automation technology systems are extremely reliant on a quality network and Wi-Fi system. Most homes are moving towards enterprise-grade hardware and away from the types of network products you could buy in an office supply store or a consumer computer store. We recommend that all homeowners consider the network and Wi-Fi system to be the most important system and installation within the home.
Higher-quality sound or higher-grade architectural finished speakers can range from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 PER ROOM
Basic background music system pricing ranges from $1,500.00 to $5,000.00 per room including all equipment, labor, and programming.
Range includes video sources such as AppleTV, a Blu-ray player, satellite receiver, and remotely-locating them for best aesthetics. A basic soundbar is included for better audio.
This is called “video distribution” and reduces the amount of audio/video equipment located at each TV location/room.
A surround sound system creates an immersive sound experience, much like a dedicated home theater room, though in a dual-purpose room such as a Family Room, Master Bedroom, etc. If you would like more than one surround system location, click on the "Add Another Surround System" button below
Typically, homeowners want to see the following areas: front of house, front door, driveway / gate, sides of house, and pool. If you are more concerned about security, you may want to add cameras for the perimeter of your property. Good-quality cameras see about 75 feet of distance on average. The high range of the budget estimate includes higher resolution cameras, better night vision, and longer surveillance recording time.
The installation of a lighting control system reduces wall clutter, allows preset lighting scenes at the push of a button, increases security through programming automation, and adds convenience.
Motorized shades add beauty, convenience, address privacy concerns, and can be used to save energy. If desired, provide your best guess on how many windows/shades you want to motorize. The higher-end of the budget range includes higher-end fabrics, large windows, and dual-roller shades (both sheer and privacy shades on one window).
For example, a house music app, an app to operate your TV, an app for lighting automation, an app for locks, an app for cameras, an app to open close garage doors & gates, etc. Or do you want to control the entire house through a single unified app that controls all the automation systems within the home?
Make your home feel larger by balancing the light between indoor and outdoor areas.

Budget Advice - 4 Vital Tips From The Home Technology Association

When embarking on a new home build or remodel project, the fuzziest budget item for most homeowners is typically the technology budget. Your builder, architect, and interior designer can quickly ballpark what a pool, a kitchen, or an electrical contract will cost. When it comes to technology, though, they often shrug their shoulders since there are so many variables. Some clients want very basic systems, and others want audiophile music systems and George Jetson-levels of Home Automation. More often, homeowners do not really know what they want or need. Here are some budget guidelines:
Typically, in a major remodel or new home build, the budgets for technology systems range from 4 – 8% of your home’s value.
This excludes lighting control, motorized shades, and Home Theater systems. For a lighting control system, figure between $4 – $7 per square foot if you are controlling most of the home’s interior and exterior. The upper range is for a hardwired system, which provide the highest reliability. The lower range of the price scale includes wireless lighting solutions. For Home Theater systems, your budget can be anywhere between $10K and $1M (or more) depending on your desired level of performance.
Here are 4 key tips to get a handle on your home technology budget.

1. Divide Technology Systems Into Bite-Size Chunks

The first glance at a technology budget might send you running for the hills. Typically, it represents many different systems, therefore costs can add up quickly. Here are the technology systems you need to think about as separate budgets:

  • House music systems

  • House television systems

  • Home theater or surround sound systems

  • Home Automation or “smart home” home control

  • Security cameras

  • Burglar alarms

  • Wi-Fi / home network systems

  • Lighting control

  • Access control

2. Do Not Skimp On The Network / Wi-Fi System

Our life is run on the computer network. Our phones, tablets, doorbells, music, TV, movies, security systems, and just about every device that plugs into a wall or has a battery needs connectivity to function properly. Your home’s network is the foundation of much of your activity. We recommend strongly that you invest in an enterprise-grade network for your home. The devices you get in the mall or the office supply store are no longer adequate. Your HTA Certified technology integrator will suggest enterprise-grade brands such as Cisco, Ruckus, and Luxul. These systems, and others, are typically business-grade products that have a higher level of security, speed, and reliability than inexpensive office supply store devices. If you are going to splurge anywhere, splurge on the home network. Your family will thank you. Read the following article to learn why you want an enterprise-grade network system: Why an Enterprise-Grade Network is a MUST in every Luxury Home

3. Do Not Always Assume You Are Being Oversold

The reality is that most homeowners underspend on technology. Feeling that they are being “oversold” on their technology needs, they may obtain enough bids until they get a price low enough that they feel is right for their needs. Experience shows that the vast majority of homeowners that settle for cheap-priced systems get exactly what they paid for, and later regret it.

Keep an open mind when listening to suggestions from your technology professional, though be very clear on what is important to you. Define your needs as specifically as possible so your technology professional can assemble the right systems for your price, performance, aesthetic, and reliability needs. Ask a lot of questions. Make sure you understand why your technology pro is making the recommendations they are.

Most reputable technology installers know what makes their clients happy, and are typically enthusiastic about delivering a great experience to you. If you have communicated that you are hard of hearing and your technology professional is suggesting an audiophile-grade sound system, though, it is time to find someone else. However, if you are communicating your needs and your technology integrator is suggesting logical solutions, resist the urge to be cynical. In the words of Ronald Reagan, “trust, but verify”.

4. Do Not Underestimate The Role That Technology Plays In Your Life

Surveys have shown that most Americans would rather temporarily lose electricity or running water than their Internet service. This says a lot about the role that technology plays in our lives. We spend a lot of money building beautiful pools, gyms, gardens, formal living spaces, and other home improvement projects that in reality get fairly minimal use by our families. Technology is touched constantly by all members of the family…daily. When implemented correctly, there is no aspect of our home that will impact our enjoyment of where we live more than its technology systems. The reverse is also true. A home that has a poor technology implementation is a source of constant frustration. We suggest that you consider shifting some budget dollars from lesser-used rooms or features to the most used technologies in your home. Your family will thank you for it.

These are just a few tips to consider when deciding how much to spend on your home’s technology systems. The Home Technology Association has created a budget calculator to help you understand the cost ranges and drivers in building a budget. Click the button below to create a sample technology installation budget.

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Austin’s Certified Luxury Home Automation, Home Theater, Audio Video & Wi-Fi Experts

CREATE YOUR SMART HOME BUDGET

*The calculated home technology budget range you will receive will includes parts, labor & accessories (Tax not included)
(a round number is OK)
Numerous structures on the property: Dock, Casita, Guest House, Barn, Gate etc. Check all that apply.
Prewire installation calculations assume you would like your home fully wired for ALL home automation technologies shown throughout the budget calculator, including 'future-ready' wiring. Prewire pricing can vary substantially based on what features you would like in your home. The wiring budget is for low-voltage wiring, not for electrical.
Prewire pricing will vary based on exactly what features you would like in your home. Read this article about the importance of wiring/cabling in today's "wireless" world. Your local Smarter Homes integrator is the best resource for exact prewire pricing. Wiring budget is for low-voltage wiring only, not electrical.
Keep in mind that our modern lifestyle and our home's automation technology systems are extremely reliant on a quality network and Wi-Fi system. Most homes are moving towards enterprise-grade hardware and away from the types of network products you could buy in an office supply store or a consumer computer store. We recommend that all homeowners consider the network and Wi-Fi system to be the most important system and installation within the home.
Higher-quality sound or higher-grade architectural finished speakers can range from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 PER ROOM
Basic background music system pricing ranges from $1,500.00 to $5,000.00 per room including all equipment, labor, and programming.
Range includes video sources such as AppleTV, a Blu-ray player, satellite receiver, and remotely-locating them for best aesthetics. A basic soundbar is included for better audio.
This is called “video distribution” and reduces the amount of audio/video equipment located at each TV location/room.
A surround sound system creates an immersive sound experience, much like a dedicated home theater room, though in a dual-purpose room such as a Family Room, Master Bedroom, etc. If you would like more than one surround system location, click on the "Add Another Surround System" button below
Typically, homeowners want to see the following areas: front of house, front door, driveway / gate, sides of house, and pool. If you are more concerned about security, you may want to add cameras for the perimeter of your property. Good-quality cameras see about 75 feet of distance on average. The high range of the budget estimate includes higher resolution cameras, better night vision, and longer surveillance recording time.
The installation of a lighting control system reduces wall clutter, allows preset lighting scenes at the push of a button, increases security through programming automation, and adds convenience.
Motorized shades add beauty, convenience, address privacy concerns, and can be used to save energy. If desired, provide your best guess on how many windows/shades you want to motorize. The higher-end of the budget range includes higher-end fabrics, large windows, and dual-roller shades (both sheer and privacy shades on one window).
For example, a house music app, an app to operate your TV, an app for lighting automation, an app for locks, an app for cameras, an app to open close garage doors & gates, etc. Or do you want to control the entire house through a single unified app that controls all the automation systems within the home?
Make your home feel larger by balancing the light between indoor and outdoor areas.
Smarter Homes Austin
Austin’s Certified Luxury Home Automation, Home Theater, Audio Video & Wi-Fi Experts

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