Smart technology is quickly transforming how people control and interact with their homes and properties. In fact, smart home builders have become much-sought-after specialists in the construction industry.
But what exactly do smart home builders “do” that can’t be done by homebuyers themselves? After all, it has never been easier to purchase plug-and-play technology solutions, such as smart locks and security cameras, directly off-the-rack.
But while it is always possible to add-on new technology to any home, smart home builders plan and build from the ground up and help make sure that technology is part of the home’s foundation, which ultimately translates to more convenience, cost efficiency and investment value for homebuyers.
Smart Home Builders and the Modern Real Estate Market
In addition to the traditional skills of a home builder—coordinating and managing the different stages of a construction project—smart home builders are also experts in a field known as “domotics.” This is the use of technology to automate, integrate and manage the many different systems in the home, from heating and air conditioning to lighting and security. The advantages of smart homes are obvious: it makes everyday living much more convenient, from adjusting the room temperature to opening or closing the shades and even advanced security systems keeping an eye out for unwelcome intruders.
Whereas a traditional home builder would hire a subcontractor to do a particular technology job, such as install a security system, smart home builders have the expertise to incorporate smart technology from the beginning of the design process and every step of the way. In a sense, smart home builders “technify” a home the way an electrician would “electrify” a home, not merely by lighting a candle but by connecting all the wiring and subsystems in the safest and most efficient ways possible.
In the case of smart technology, “wiring” can include actual physical wiring, such as for lighting or security cameras, but it also includes non-physical wiring such as deciding how appliances and systems will connect to the Internet or to each other. Will they be connected and managed through a central home hub, for example, or remotely through the homeowner’s smartphone? This is the type of design decision that will fundamentally affect the user experience for homebuyers and can significantly alter the home’s market value and selling potential.
In a Coldwell Banker Real Estate survey, 81% of respondents said that the presence of smart devices in a home would make it a more attractive purchase. Smart home builders are in high-demand not only because they make homes more convenient, but because they are having a major impact on the bottom line of the real estate market.
Building Scalable Smart Homes from the Ground Up
There are currently more than 37.5 million smart homes in the United States and this number is growing rapidly as consumers now expect the conveniences of modern technology in their homes, their cars and everywhere else.
Smart home builders play an important role in the construction process even when they are not the primary coordinators or managers of a construction project. By bringing in a smart home builder early in the design process, property developers and homeowners avoid wasting time and money on technology solutions that may seem good on paper, but ultimately fail to account for all the factors involved.
To take just one example, a security system can be a major investment and may scare away some homebuyers who don’t want to be locked in to a pre-designed system. A good smart home builder will focus on laying a digital foundation that homebuyers can scale up as their needs and desires change. They may want to install their own security system and are more interested in finding a home that is digitally equipped for any system of their choosing. Scalability is crucial because a smart home has to be able to adapt to new technology—it’s not just about having the latest and the greatest because tomorrow will always bring something new.
It’s also important to know which smart features are truly in demand among today’s tech-savvy homebuyers. If a home has a digital key system it is definitely an attractive feature, but buyers may ultimately purchase another home in a different neighborhood that has more robust smart amenities, such as remote temperature control. Smart home builders can take these and many other factors into consideration from the beginning of the design process.
Hire A Smart Home Builder: It’s the Smart Thing to Do!
Smart home builders are taking the traditional skills and expertise of their profession, from solving and preventing design problems to managing quality subcontractor relationships and setting construction timetables, and applying them to the innovative new demands of a digital real estate market.
Whether you want your home to be more convenient, on the cutting edge of innovation or just want to increase its investment value, a smart home builder is now an indispensable leader and contributor to any construction project.
Are you ready to build a smart home in Harlingen? Smart Home Construction can make your tech-savvy dreams come true!
