ᐅ Building a Single-Family Home Suitable for Extended Absences – What Should You Consider?
Created on: 7 May 2018 08:22
P
Pianist
Hello everyone!
What should be considered when planning and building a single-family house if you know that you will often be away? It should all work smoothly, with solutions in place for any expected situation, regardless of whether you are there or not. Realistically, I would expect a maximum absence of four weeks.
I’ll start a list here and would appreciate any additions:
- Complete security system with perimeter protection, smoke, water, and gas detectors
- Full outdoor video surveillance with motion detection
- Connection to a monitoring center
- Notifications to the monitoring center in case of power outage or heating failure
- The monitoring center should be able to remotely open the driveway gate and front door
- The monitoring center should have the ability to make announcements around the house via loudspeakers
- No roller shutters (not even automatic ones)
- Roof drainage entirely passive, without the need to pump out infiltration pits during heavy rain
- Automated garden irrigation
- Garden design without large lawn areas, possibly with a robotic lawn mower
- Trash bins must be accessible from the outside for waste collection services
The only remaining requirement is that someone regularly collects the mail. Have I forgotten anything else?
Matthias
What should be considered when planning and building a single-family house if you know that you will often be away? It should all work smoothly, with solutions in place for any expected situation, regardless of whether you are there or not. Realistically, I would expect a maximum absence of four weeks.
I’ll start a list here and would appreciate any additions:
- Complete security system with perimeter protection, smoke, water, and gas detectors
- Full outdoor video surveillance with motion detection
- Connection to a monitoring center
- Notifications to the monitoring center in case of power outage or heating failure
- The monitoring center should be able to remotely open the driveway gate and front door
- The monitoring center should have the ability to make announcements around the house via loudspeakers
- No roller shutters (not even automatic ones)
- Roof drainage entirely passive, without the need to pump out infiltration pits during heavy rain
- Automated garden irrigation
- Garden design without large lawn areas, possibly with a robotic lawn mower
- Trash bins must be accessible from the outside for waste collection services
The only remaining requirement is that someone regularly collects the mail. Have I forgotten anything else?
Matthias
H
HilfeHilfe7 May 2018 11:14Pianist schrieb:
I’m not really thinking about serious crimes, just opportunistic offenders. I want to make it as difficult as possible for them. And the security service doesn’t just receive alerts from the system; they also have access to the video footage.
Ultimately, my goal is to have as comprehensive remote monitoring as possible.
In my case, I maintain that the vandalism only started after the hedges in the surrounding green area were trimmed.
MatthiasOh man, vandalism... do you really think you’ll catch those responsible and report them?
Opportunistic offenders? Like stealing the robotic lawn mower or what?
Then just get a proper insurance policy and that’s it.
Do you think the police want to analyze your videos over a $500 robotic mower????
In Berlin.
At this point in time, I cannot yet decide whether to build something here again or to completely change the location. In addition, the standard land values in Berlin and the surrounding area have increased so much that it is probably no longer realistic to find a suitable plot. Here, however, I already have the land. It will likely be cheaper to invest more in security here than to buy something elsewhere. Especially since the front houses will also represent a future source of income.
Matthias
At this point in time, I cannot yet decide whether to build something here again or to completely change the location. In addition, the standard land values in Berlin and the surrounding area have increased so much that it is probably no longer realistic to find a suitable plot. Here, however, I already have the land. It will likely be cheaper to invest more in security here than to buy something elsewhere. Especially since the front houses will also represent a future source of income.
Matthias
I can fully understand the original poster. Not everyone lives or builds in rural areas or quiet towns where burglary and/or vandalism are rare occurrences.
The most important points have already been mentioned. I consider a presence simulation that does not switch devices on and off at the same time in a static manner, as well as a shading system, to be essential.
Floodlight-style lighting that activates in the evening upon motion detection is relatively simple and cost-effective, thanks to LED technology.
Regarding automatic and controlled ventilation, yes, even today many houses are still built without it. For many, it is simply too expensive.
In any case, I would definitely set very high requirements for the doors, windows, and roof—nothing below RC4, or better yet, directly going for RC6.
The most important points have already been mentioned. I consider a presence simulation that does not switch devices on and off at the same time in a static manner, as well as a shading system, to be essential.
Floodlight-style lighting that activates in the evening upon motion detection is relatively simple and cost-effective, thanks to LED technology.
Regarding automatic and controlled ventilation, yes, even today many houses are still built without it. For many, it is simply too expensive.
In any case, I would definitely set very high requirements for the doors, windows, and roof—nothing below RC4, or better yet, directly going for RC6.
Yes, I am familiar with the mechanical properties of windows and doors. Naturally, I use the best standard available at the time of installation. However, that doesn’t protect against everything.
A few years ago, some idiot tried to pry between the window and the brick facade. Whatever they hoped to achieve. In the process, a piece of the brick broke off and there is a pressure mark on the window frame. That’s really frustrating...
Matthias
A few years ago, some idiot tried to pry between the window and the brick facade. Whatever they hoped to achieve. In the process, a piece of the brick broke off and there is a pressure mark on the window frame. That’s really frustrating...
Matthias
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