ᐅ New Semi-Detached House – Is Investing an Extra $10,000 Worthwhile for a Smart Home?
Created on: 17 Jan 2021 17:11
G
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!
R
RotorMotor29 Jan 2021 16:31K1300S schrieb:
So that would be 7 K instead of 2 K. Yeah, okay, you could calculate it that way, although I’m not exactly sure what the components you mentioned cost.
K1300S schrieb:
That should be more accurate, but then you wouldn’t have any light switches. 😀 Well, that’s the point of the exercise, isn’t it?
K1300S schrieb:
It also depends a bit on the level of equipment, but assume, for example, that network outlets (duplex) cost around 200 EUR each. Ten are quickly added up, which alone uses up the 2 K. Basically true, but for me the network part is independent of KNX anyway.
I would have included network outlets even with “standard” electrical work.
Maybe it’s two more now for visualization and distribution connection, but that’s not a big deal.
Mycraft schrieb:
Where is the construction site?
At least 3 individually switchable circuits per room to the distribution board. Which are initially connected via terminal blocks and all sockets initially on constant power. Later, you can rewire them as needed.
And of course, bus cables in every corner and everywhere you could imagine sensors or actuators (planning so that expansion is possible even in 10 years). Don’t forget empty conduits as well. Laying the bus cable alongside standard power cable (NYM) is really no effort and practically cost-neutral. In OWL.
Yes, that’s the current wishlist. I still need to finalize exactly where empty conduits and such should go.
A friend just told his electrician to install enough empty conduits and such separately for future flexibility.
Although it was agreed upon, in the end nothing extra was installed. ;-)
K1300S schrieb:
That only calls for an integrator if there is obviously no knowledge and no understanding of such technical topics.It deserves respect when someone buys an ETS and manages to create a proper topology with all the features. An ETS is not exactly cheap, and a basic KNX course for electrical professionals takes a week, just as a point of reference. Even then, you still know very little and lack experience. A good integrator handles this topic quickly, including an optimal user interface concept, and often has ideas for hardware cost savings. As a homeowner, I would rather focus on the outdoor areas than put myself through that.R
RotorMotor1 Feb 2021 21:00Regarding the thread about the 10k: the more I plan, the harder it becomes to stay within that budget.
You really need to be good at saying "no, I actually don’t need that."
There are quite a few things you would like to have (prepared) in advance, and that makes it expensive.
I guess it’s a matter of personal preference.
I see it more as a hobby and also feel that without a strong interest, there won’t be much enjoyment, since changes to KNX systems are hardly manageable for someone not interested in it.
Calling an electrician/integrator every time doesn’t sound appealing to me.
You really need to be good at saying "no, I actually don’t need that."
There are quite a few things you would like to have (prepared) in advance, and that makes it expensive.
Schelli schrieb:
As a builder, I’d rather spend my time on the outdoor areas before putting myself through that.
I guess it’s a matter of personal preference.
I see it more as a hobby and also feel that without a strong interest, there won’t be much enjoyment, since changes to KNX systems are hardly manageable for someone not interested in it.
Calling an electrician/integrator every time doesn’t sound appealing to me.
Calling an electrician/integrator every time doesn’t sound very appealing to me.
[/QUOTE]
OKI! But I’m really curious about how it went. I worked for a manufacturer for a long time, and attending these courses at their in-house training center was mandatory. For me, it was a disaster. However, through that job, I met my partner—by chance an integrator—so the problem was solved 🙂 Normally, a house like this is set up, lived in, and then a list of changes is created. After that, things should be fine, and if not, you can quickly fix it via IP. If it’s really a hobby for you—great. Despite having several certifications at an “advanced” level, I couldn’t do it myself, and that’s what I wanted to point out to anyone interested before investing in ETS or similar software.
[/QUOTE]
OKI! But I’m really curious about how it went. I worked for a manufacturer for a long time, and attending these courses at their in-house training center was mandatory. For me, it was a disaster. However, through that job, I met my partner—by chance an integrator—so the problem was solved 🙂 Normally, a house like this is set up, lived in, and then a list of changes is created. After that, things should be fine, and if not, you can quickly fix it via IP. If it’s really a hobby for you—great. Despite having several certifications at an “advanced” level, I couldn’t do it myself, and that’s what I wanted to point out to anyone interested before investing in ETS or similar software.
Schelli schrieb:
Even with various certifications, I couldn’t consider myself more than "advanced"In this case, you would call the structural engineer, but you already have them on hand. 😉