Ensuring the Ultimate Smart Home Experience

Smart homes are no longer a rare commodity in luxury living. Today, they are in demand, driven by the desire for smarter security, breathtaking lighting, and an ease that’s hard to define until experienced. 

Unfortunately, the demand has not kept pace with the knowledge that integrators—those who design, install, and program smart home solutions—should be called in during the blueprint stage, long before the foundation is laid. 

Instead, many homeowners treat it as an afterthought. “Hey, wouldn’t it be nice to have a whole-home audio system and effortless control of our lights and shades?” Had that thought arisen during the design phase, homeowners would not be faced with integrators cutting into drywall and the increased costs associated with change orders. 

Seamless integrations turn into missed opportunities with home automation that doesn’t always line up with the aesthetics. 

At Prodigy, we collaborate with architects, builders, and designers to ensure that lighting, shading, sound, and control systems integrate cleanly with design intent. To achieve this requires tech planning from the start. 

Here, we’ll explore the difference it makes when smart home solutions become part of the conversation during the blueprint stage. 

Discover Why Designing Your Smart Home with the Future in Mind Is Essential

In the excitement of embracing automated technology and creating the smart home you’ve been dreaming about for years, it’s easy to get caught up in the present moment. Which systems and user experience would best suit you and your family? From smart home entertainment to the latest LED lighting systems, the possibilities are nearly limitless.

So, where do you begin? 

And that’s where the problems start. So caught up in present needs and expectations, many homeowners forget to look to the future. Not only does technology change, but families change, with children who ultimately find their way in the world and parents who need a comfortable home to age in place. 

To create a smart home that meets your needs now and into the future, you should keep one eye on the horizon. Here, we’ll explore the best options for building a smart home that meets your needs today and doesn’t fall short as your needs evolve. 

The Inherent Pitfalls in a DIY Smart Home

Walk into nearly any big-box store and you’ll find smart devices scattered throughout the aisles and in various departments. You might discover smart speakers in electronics, smart appliances in the kitchen aisles, and smart thermostats in the electrical department. 

How hard could it be to pick them up, install them yourself, and, voilà, you have a smart home for a fraction of the cost of a professional installation. Of course, you also have a mere fraction of a smart home. 

Here, we’ll explore the difference between DIY and professionally designed and installed smart homes—and why you should consider a professional installation. 

How Travelers Can Keep Their Homes Safe in Their Absence

It’s that time of year when many people find themselves packing their bags and heading out of town to visit family and friends as they celebrate the season of giving. Unfortunately, criminals are keenly aware of this activity and use it to their advantage by targeting unoccupied homes. The National Crime Victimization Survey found that larceny and robbery increase by about 20% every December. 

A standard precaution is setting lights on timers. However, because this act has become so common, thieves use the regularity of lights turning off and on as a sign that no one is home. 

There is a better way. It’s called smart lighting control. Here, we’ll explore the benefits it brings and how to ensure a home that appears occupied through the holidays and beyond.