Thinking of Installing a Smart Home System?

What to look for in a Smart Home Installer?

The first question that many people are asking as they enter the world of smart technology is whether or not they should do their own Smart Home Installation. There are pros and cons to both choices, and the best answer depends on your specific needs and situation.

Do it yourself?

If you’re the do-it-yourself type, then installing your own smart home may be the way to go. You’ll have complete control over the process and can ensure that everything is done exactly to your specifications. However, installing a smart home can be a complex and time-consuming task. If you’re not confident in your ability to do it right, then it’s probably best to leave it to the professionals.

Get a professional?

Hiring a professional installer has its own advantages. An expert will have experience with all the different components of a Smart Home and will be able to get everything up and running quickly and smoothly. They’ll also be able to offer advice and support if you run into any problems down the line.

Expensive Mistakes

The downside is that it will likely cost more to hire an installer than to do it yourself, but if you’re not confident in your abilities it is worth the investment. Bear in mind many Smart Home Installers spend a lot of their time sorting out badly installed systems that just will not integrate correctly, finishing off work that another installer has abandoned or reconfiguring systems as the installer did not get a clear understanding of the customer needs. 

So unless you are an electronics wizard, it may save a lot of time and energy to start with a professional, who has experience with the systems, and can offer advice and suggestions that you may not have even considered.

Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference. If you’re comfortable taking on the challenge of installing a smart home yourself, then go for it. However, if you’d prefer to leave it to the professionals and make use of their expert knowledge here are some things to take into consideration.

Lack of Regulations for Smart Home Installers

When it comes to installing smart home products, there is no governing body or regulation in place as there is for other trades such as plumbing and electricians. This means that anyone can set up shop as a smart home installer, regardless of whether they have the necessary skills and knowledge. In fact, they don’t even need a shop! Anyone could be purporting to be an expert in smart home installations with very little cash outlay or specialist knowledge. 

This lack of regulation can be a problem for consumers, as they may not know who to trust when it comes to choosing an installer. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to find a reputable and reliable installer who will do a good job. 

Full house systems can be costly so it’s worth doing your research before you take on this investment. Here’s our guide on: 

How to Choose Who to Use?

Look for a company that has been trading for sometime 

Try to find a smart home installer that has a long track record in their field. If they have a physical presence on the high street how long have they been trading? With relatively new areas such as Smart Home Installation you aren’t going to find a firm that has been in the business for decades but you may find companies with years of electrical installation knowledge who have moved into home automation systems and a good reputation. You can use the internet to find out how far back their online presence goes. Do they have a professional-looking website with good information on their products? Is there a long history of posts of their past work? Flashy websites are not always an indication of a company’s real abilities and can be deceptive, so you can always look the company up on https://companieshouse.blog.gov.uk to look further into the business behind the site. 

Look for reviews on their work

When it comes to choosing a smart home installer, it’s important to do your research and read online reviews. This will give you a good idea of the quality of work you can expect from different companies.

Look for reviews on independent websites, as well as the company’s own website and social media pages. See what past customers have said about their experience with the installer. Look for both positive and negative reviews to get a well-rounded view.

Pay attention to red flags like multiple negative reviews or complaints about poor customer service. These can be signs that you should avoid doing business with the company.

When reading online reviews, look for common themes. For example, if multiple reviewers mention that a particular home automation installer was very responsive and easy to work with, that’s a good sign. On the other hand, if there are multiple complaints about a company’s customer service or quality of work, you might want to consider going with another option.

In addition to reading online reviews, it’s also a good idea to ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have had experience with smart home installations. They can provide first-hand insights about the process and help you narrow down your options.

Ask for references from past clients

When looking for a smart home installer, be sure to ask for references from previous clients. Checking these references is a crucial step in making sure you’re hiring a reputable and qualified professional.

What should you look for when checking references? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Make sure the reference is from a legitimate source, you may need to do some online research to see who they are and if they have mentioned the service on their social media
• Ask about the quality of the work performed by the installer. Was the work completed on time and up to code?
• Inquire about the installer’s professionalism. Did they show up on time and communicate well throughout the project?
• By taking the time to check references, you can be confident that you’re hiring the best possible installer for your smart home project.

Talk to the company

It may seem an obvious thing to say, but before employing a smart home installer, speak to them and ask questions. This will give you a chance to get a feel for their knowledge and experience, and how they deal with issues.

• Some things you may want to ask about include:
• How long they have been installing smart home systems
• What kind of systems they have installed before
• What information would they need to know before they begin
• How do they deal with issues that arise during the work
• What kind of timescales they are working to
• What issues might they encounter during the work
• What happens if something goes wrong after the fit
• What kind of guarantees or warranties do they offer

Tried and tested Smart Home Solutions

A reputable installer should have tried and tested methods of establishing what their customer’s smart technology needs are, suggestions for the smart home devices, the best way to use the technology, what problems may arise during and how to solve them. By speaking to the installer and asking questions, you will be able to get a better idea of whether they are the right person for the job. If they seem knowledgeable and experienced, and are able to give clear answers to your questions, then they are likely to be a good choice. However, if they are vague in their answers to your questions, then you may want to consider someone else.

Check that they are certified by the manufacturers 

As discussed earlier, there is no governing body for smart home technology installers but reputable smart home installers will have gone through training with the manufacturer and received some form of accreditation on their knowledge of their ability to install the product. Accreditation is not necessarily a guarantee of quality, it does show that the installer has gone through the necessary training to properly install products from that manufacturer. This is important because each manufacturer has its own unique way of doing things, meaning knowing how to install one company’s product does not necessarily mean they could install a competitor’s product. Look for a company that has sound knowledge, skill and experience in installing the make of smart home technology you are looking to install. This will ensure that they are properly trained to install products from that specific manufacturer. 

Customer service and Aftercare 

Installing a smart home is not a one-time event. There will likely be questions or issues down the road. Look for an installer with great customer service so that you know you will be taken care of long after the initial fit is complete. It’s important to make sure that you’re getting the best possible aftercare and support from your installer. At the end of the day, you want to make sure that you’re working with a smart home installer who is going to be there for you when you need them. After all, your home is one of your most important investments, so you want to make sure that it’s in good hands. Here are some things to look for:

Regular health check-ups

A good installer will offer regular health check-ups of your system to make sure that everything is working as it should be. This can be done remotely or in-person, depending on your preference.

Technical expertise

Is there a team of qualified and experienced engineers who can provide expert support for any issues?

Remote support

If you have any issues with your system, a good installer will be able to provide remote support so that you don’t have to wait for someone to come out and fix the problem.

Updates

A good installer will keep your system up-to-date with the latest software so that you can benefit from new features and bug fixes.

Tailored packages

A good installer will offer tailored aftercare packages that are designed specifically for your needs. This means that you’ll only pay for the support that you need, and you won’t have to worry about anything else.

Availability of support

You want to make sure that you’re working with a smart home installer who is going to be there for you when you need them. What are the hours of availability? Do they have plenty of staff to deal with issues promptly and effectively? 

Detailed Estimate

When you’re looking for a smart home installer, be sure to ask for a detailed estimate. Every aspect of the work should be itemised. Does the estimate include the cost of installation and full fitting, meaning that your system will be installed correctly and that all wiring is hidden? Make sure you understand what is included in the estimate and that you’re comfortable with the price.

Check what could add to the costs

It is always good to ask what factors could add to the bill. Installers will have come across issues before so ask what may add to your estimate. By being prepared you may be able to flag up potential problems before they arise.

Be sure to ask about aftercare and full fitting services.

These are important factors to consider when choosing a smart home installer. Aftercare ensures that your system is working properly and that any necessary repairs are made. 

Finally, ask about the warranty.

Reputable smart home installers offer a warranty on their work. This gives you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected. Check the warranty lengths and costs to extend the warranty if you want that extra peace of mind.

By following these tips, you can be sure you’re choosing a qualified smart home installer who will do a great job installing your new devices.  Here at SMS we have over 20 years as a successful smart home installer and are up to date on current technology. We are happy to give our expertise on smart devices and your smart home installation, get in touch today.