Technology & Low Voltage
Smart-Home Controls & Motorized Shades
Smart-home controls, lighting control and motorized shades planned with the electrical and window design and installed by licensed partners.
Overview
Home automation works well when it is planned as part of the house rather than added device by device. Lighting control, motorized shades, thermostats, audio, cameras and door locks can be brought into one system with keypads, scenes and a phone app – but each one needs wiring, power and space that are easiest to provide during construction.
Motorized shades are a good example. Shade pockets, blocking, power or low-voltage wiring at each window, and the depth of the window head all need to be decided before drywall. In Florida, shades also help manage glare and heat gain through large openings.
An appropriately licensed low-voltage contractor partner designs and programs the control system, and a licensed electrical contractor handles line-voltage dimming and power. We coordinate both with framing, windows, ceilings and finishes, and keep the decisions in front of you at the right time.
Who it’s for
- New homes and whole-home renovations where controls can be planned from the start
- Homes with large windows or sliding doors that need glare and heat control
- Owners who want fewer wall switches and simple lighting scenes
- Second homes that benefit from remote monitoring and control
- Homeowners planning for aging in place, where automation can make daily tasks easier
What’s included
Typically included
- Review of how you want rooms to work – scenes, schedules, remote access
- Lighting control design coordinated with the lighting and electrical plans
- Keypad and control locations planned with switch and outlet layouts
- Motorized shade planning: pockets, blocking, wiring and power at each opening
- Shade fabric and opacity selections, including blackout and solar fabrics
- Integration of thermostats, audio, cameras, locks and garage doors where compatible
- Central control processor, network connection and equipment location
- Programming of scenes, schedules and app access
- Owner training and a record of devices and settings
Common exclusions
- Monthly monitoring or service subscriptions
- Window replacement or structural changes to window openings
- Devices not compatible with the selected control platform
- Ongoing reprogramming after turnover unless a service arrangement is made with the partner
- Electrical panel upgrades if required by added load
Every proposal lists its own inclusions and exclusions in writing.
Materials, design options & upgrades
How pricing works
Smart-home and shade work is priced per project. The estimate is built from the number of lighting loads and keypads, the number and size of shaded openings, the fabrics and mounting style chosen, the control platform and the devices to be integrated.
Programming and commissioning are part of the estimate, not an afterthought. Recessed shade pockets and wired motors are most economical when planned before framing is finished.
What changes the cost
- Number of lighting loads, keypads and controlled rooms
- Number and size of windows and doors receiving shades
- Fabric selection and recessed versus surface mounting
- Wired versus battery shade motors
- Control platform and the number of integrated systems
- New construction versus retrofit
- Programming complexity and number of scenes
If this work is part of a larger project, it’s priced within that project’s budget — please don’t add separate estimates together. Read the pricing guide.
Typical stages
Discovery
We walk through how each room is used and what you want the system to do.
System and shade design
The partner proposes the control platform, keypad locations and shade layout, coordinated with lighting and window plans.
Framing and rough-in
Shade pockets and blocking are framed, and control and power wiring are run before drywall.
Measurement and ordering
Shades are measured after openings are finished and ordered to exact sizes.
Installation
Keypads, processors, dimmers and shades are installed after paint.
Programming and training
Scenes and schedules are set, tested with you, and adjusted.
What affects the schedule
- Lighting and shade decisions must be made before framing and rough-in
- Shades are custom-sized, so measuring waits until openings and finishes are complete
- Fabric and motor lead times
- Programming depends on the network being active
- Coordination with audio, cameras and HVAC equipment installation
Questions & answers
Do I need to choose a system before construction starts?
The platform should be chosen before rough-in, because wiring, keypad locations and shade pockets depend on it. Final scenes and settings can be refined later.
Will I still be able to use the lights if the internet goes down?
Most professionally installed lighting control systems keep local keypads working without internet access; remote app control is what depends on the connection. Ask the partner to confirm this for the platform you select.
Can motorized shades be added to an existing home?
Yes. Surface-mounted shades with battery or plug-in motors are common in retrofits. Recessed pockets usually require ceiling work.
Do shades help with heat?
Shades can reduce glare and solar heat entering through glass, particularly on east and west exposures. The effect depends on fabric, color and fit.
Start here
Planning smart-home controls & motorized shades?
A short form — three steps, a few minutes. Share plans or photos if you have them. We’ll review it and follow up using the contact details you provide.