ᐅ New Semi-Detached House – Is Investing an Extra $10,000 Worthwhile for a Smart Home?
Created on: 17 Jan 2021 17:11
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Giggz123
Hello everyone,
we are currently planning the construction of our half of a semi-detached house. Initially, I was considering a KNX solution for home automation, but the reality as homebuilders is catching up with us, and the budget is getting tighter. Due to the plot, we are tied to a construction company that handles all trades (including electrical) with their own staff. The contract is expected to be signed soon.
The construction company seems to have limited expertise regarding smart home systems, so I’m now considering how to best proceed.
At the moment, the plan is for conventional electrical work (about 8,000 EUR), plus additional services for almost 4,000 EUR net to install a LAN connection in every room and reach a total of 100 power outlets and 20 lighting points (there may still be some missing).
We still have about 10,000 EUR left, so the entire (smart) electrical installation can cost around 22,000 EUR. We have also planned 13 roller shutters / blinds, which — for now — will have conventional electrical control.
Requirements - Must Have:
Nice to Have:
Options:
1. Conventional wiring plus standalone radio solutions (this is what we currently have in the rental apartment: Somfy roller shutters, HUE lights, etc.), integrated into a common visualization platform (such as ioBroker and others)
2. Proprietary system, currently the favorite is probably Free@Home with central actuators, allowing a possible later switch to KNX if needed. Alternatively, Homematic Wired might be an option.
3a. KNX with the must-haves and preparation (cabling) for nice-to-haves / as much as possible
3b. KNX with must-haves, nice-to-haves via radio solutions / gateways, integrated into a common visualization (ioBroker and others)
I’ve read a lot about this but somehow keep going in circles...
Do you have any advice on how to best approach this now? Should I create a room schedule and request various offers for options 2 and 3? Should I look for a qualified system integrator / smart home expert who can offer both options 2 and 3? Or is this basically unrealistic with the given budget, and I should focus on option 1?
Although construction doesn’t start until summer, if I want to try to contract the electrical trade elsewhere, I only have about 4 weeks left.
I am not completely ruling out KNX and could also imagine doing some work myself. Has anyone used a solution where they hired a planner, had the control cabinet assembled and shipped, then had the construction company’s electrician install all the wiring, and finally configured everything themselves?
Many thanks in advance!
we are currently planning the construction of our half of a semi-detached house. Initially, I was considering a KNX solution for home automation, but the reality as homebuilders is catching up with us, and the budget is getting tighter. Due to the plot, we are tied to a construction company that handles all trades (including electrical) with their own staff. The contract is expected to be signed soon.
The construction company seems to have limited expertise regarding smart home systems, so I’m now considering how to best proceed.
At the moment, the plan is for conventional electrical work (about 8,000 EUR), plus additional services for almost 4,000 EUR net to install a LAN connection in every room and reach a total of 100 power outlets and 20 lighting points (there may still be some missing).
We still have about 10,000 EUR left, so the entire (smart) electrical installation can cost around 22,000 EUR. We have also planned 13 roller shutters / blinds, which — for now — will have conventional electrical control.
Requirements - Must Have:
- Lighting:
- Central control of lights (preferably all, if necessary by floor, room, or selected areas); partial dimming
- Shading:
- Central control of roller shutters / blinds with automated shading
- Power:
- Make approximately 10+ power outlets switchable
Nice to Have:
- Avoid residual current devices (RCDs) if justifiable via smart home (I do not intend to actively control heating)
- Connection to controlled residential ventilation system
- Integration of voice control
- Window contacts
- Visualization
- Presence detectors
- Sonos integration
- Intercom system integration (Doorbird, Busch Jäger Welcome)
- Alarm system functionality (via presence detectors / sensors, possibly also a proprietary system, e.g. Busch Secure@Home)
Options:
1. Conventional wiring plus standalone radio solutions (this is what we currently have in the rental apartment: Somfy roller shutters, HUE lights, etc.), integrated into a common visualization platform (such as ioBroker and others)
2. Proprietary system, currently the favorite is probably Free@Home with central actuators, allowing a possible later switch to KNX if needed. Alternatively, Homematic Wired might be an option.
3a. KNX with the must-haves and preparation (cabling) for nice-to-haves / as much as possible
3b. KNX with must-haves, nice-to-haves via radio solutions / gateways, integrated into a common visualization (ioBroker and others)
I’ve read a lot about this but somehow keep going in circles...
Do you have any advice on how to best approach this now? Should I create a room schedule and request various offers for options 2 and 3? Should I look for a qualified system integrator / smart home expert who can offer both options 2 and 3? Or is this basically unrealistic with the given budget, and I should focus on option 1?
Although construction doesn’t start until summer, if I want to try to contract the electrical trade elsewhere, I only have about 4 weeks left.
I am not completely ruling out KNX and could also imagine doing some work myself. Has anyone used a solution where they hired a planner, had the control cabinet assembled and shipped, then had the construction company’s electrician install all the wiring, and finally configured everything themselves?
Many thanks in advance!
Yes, we are building with a general contractor. Due to our specific requirements early on, we selected an electrical company experienced in building automation. They mostly work on larger commercial projects and therefore have relevant experience. However, when it came to the actual automation planning, it quickly became clear to me that they have limited expertise in this area. This is not a problem since I intended to handle both the planning and later programming myself. Consequently, I was able to avoid hiring an additional specialist planner/system integrator. Still, the electrician explicitly told me that he would withdraw from the contract if I removed all the "profitable" items (KNX sensors and actuators, network hardware). So now we will meet halfway. It’s not the ideal solution for me, but it should work out.
Giggz123 schrieb:
because heat pumps and controlled residential ventilation systems need to be "regulated jointly." This can be done with KNX regardless of the manufacturer, as integrated HVAC controls have always been managed with KNX in building projects. Only the BAFA approval is required afterwards.
Giggz123 schrieb:
I read the recommendation about Elektro Paech (here or in another forum), they are apparently located about 100m (330 feet) from our construction project in Karow and are on my list. You should put them at the top of your list. In your case, they are not only physically close but very likely willing to carry out the work exactly as you need it. They have definitely done very good work here.
Giggz123 schrieb:
I’m curious about the proportion of private new-build projects that actually include a smart home solution (and whether the demand is really so low that the industry feels no pressure to act)... Yes, the proportion is in the single-digit percentage range. Of course, it also depends on what you personally understand by “smart home.”
Giggz123 schrieb:
Where I’m still unsure if I had the choice between: If your general contractor cooperates, I would go with option 1, since that gives the electrician more incentive.
K1300S schrieb:
because, by his own admission, he only profits from the hardware (at list price). That’s a bold lie (or the guy just can’t manage business).
Mycraft schrieb:
A bold lie (or the guy just can’t manage finances).Looking at his commercial building, he definitely does not have a margin problem. 😕I have the same issue: a developer with their own electrical subsidiary charging steep premiums (electric blinds cost 510.- each, wired conventionally with no central control!). I had been considering KNX for a long time and started researching it, but after cost discussions with the electrician, I now have to rely on conventional wiring — to the shame of all smart home new builds — and then add smart functionality via wireless.
Since I’m not from an IT background but quite tech-savvy, I will probably use Homematic IP for the most important functions to have everything essential in one working system that doesn’t require too much tinkering to get it up and running. For all the nice-to-have features, I plan to use Shelly devices and openHAB. I’m currently compiling a list of desired functions and the necessary hardware, and I expect to stay well below the amount the developer is asking for a KNX-ready installation (!).
Since I’m not from an IT background but quite tech-savvy, I will probably use Homematic IP for the most important functions to have everything essential in one working system that doesn’t require too much tinkering to get it up and running. For all the nice-to-have features, I plan to use Shelly devices and openHAB. I’m currently compiling a list of desired functions and the necessary hardware, and I expect to stay well below the amount the developer is asking for a KNX-ready installation (!).
untergasse4328 Jan 2021 09:36It is always striking to see how people are being misled and, as a result, miss out on great opportunities. And how easily this is accepted by them despite the significant capital invested.
I didn’t accept it that easily, actually; there were many discussions beforehand with the project planner, construction company, and electrician. But in reality, at least in our area, the availability of building plots is extremely limited, and you have to be grateful to find anything at all through a developer. Unfortunately, that means you’re tied to them—you can’t just build with someone else. I completely agree, it’s very frustrating given the huge amount of capital involved.