Episode 11 - Hiring a Home Automation Professional

Today's technology landscape presents homeowners with plenty of DIY Home Automation options. But for various reasons, many may still opt to hire a professional to implement their Smart Home system. In this episode of the HomeTech podcast, we dive into this topic. First we discuss some of the considerations to be made when deciding whether or not to hire a professional Systems Integrator in the first place. Some basic questions to ask yourself here include: How complex is the project? How much time are you willing to spend implementing a system yourself? Do you like to tinker? Or would you prefer a more hands-off approach? Deciding to hire an integrator is just the beginning. Next you need to know where to turn to begin your search. We dive into some great starting points including referrals from friends and family, recommendations from architects and builders, and a few websites including Angie's List (http://www.angieslist.com/) , Thumbtack (http://www.thumbtack.com/) , and CEDIA's Find a Pro page (http://www.cedia.org/find-a-cedia-pro...) . Once the search is narrowed, we discuss some of the important qualifications to look for in your Home Automation professional. Common questions that you should ask your Systems integrator (http://www.cedia.org/working-with-an-...) , as well legal questions like licensing and insurance are covered. Hope you enjoy the episode! If you're so inclined, take a moment to leave us some feedback (/feedback) ! We'd love to hear from you! Resources & Links • Universal Remote (URC) Brings A/V Integration to iControl HomeAutomation Platforms (http://www.cepro.com/article/urc_brin...) • Musaic Wireless HiFi / Home Automation Audio System Reaches 100% Funding on Kickstarter (http://www.musaic.com/#!news/c1df1) • Technology.FM (http://www.technology.fm) • Smart Home Show #8: WigWag's Ed Hemphill (http://www.technology.fm/thesmarthome...) • HomeTech Episode 1 - Designing a Smart Home (http://www.hometech.fm/shows/2014/1/2...) • Thumbtack.com (http://www.thumbtack.com) • CEDIA's Find a Pro Page (http://www.cedia.org/find-a-cedia-pro...) • Working With an Integrator - Setting Up Your Project For Success (http://www.cedia.org/working-with-an-...) • Choosing the Right Systems Integrator (http://www.corporatetechdecisions.com...) • Start Early! 😃