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!
S
Stefan8901 Feb 2021 22:04Schelli schrieb:
It deserves respect when someone buys an ETS and manages to create a solid topology with all the features. You should definitely have an interest in the technology. Equally important is the technical background knowledge, which ideally you already have. You are probably right that an experienced system integrator won’t make the mistakes a beginner might. Ultimately, you have to invest the necessary time in a "first project." If you enjoy pursuing this as a hobby, then the time spent is justified ;-)
RotorMotor schrieb:
Regarding the thread, about the 10k: the more I plan, the harder it is to stay within that budget. What’s important is that the cable structure is correct. This means that sufficient cables must be installed in all areas. They don’t all have to be connected to actuators right away. You can always expand that later as needed.
Wow, $20K just for cables is quite intense...
@Schelli
You think the ETS is something more or less complicated and that creating a topology is something special? Well, I always compare it to Excel. If you can create charts, mathematical functions, and dependencies there, you’ll be able to handle ETS in your sleep.
I agree with RotorMotor. For heaven’s sake, landscaping… that’s a nightmare for me. No, I’d rather just connect a few cables and sit at the computer for a bit. While casually checking emails, you can quickly reconfigure some functions or create logics/associations. ETS really isn’t rocket science (in my opinion).
@Schelli
You think the ETS is something more or less complicated and that creating a topology is something special? Well, I always compare it to Excel. If you can create charts, mathematical functions, and dependencies there, you’ll be able to handle ETS in your sleep.
Schelli schrieb:
As a homeowner, I’d rather focus on the landscaping before putting myself through that.
I agree with RotorMotor. For heaven’s sake, landscaping… that’s a nightmare for me. No, I’d rather just connect a few cables and sit at the computer for a bit. While casually checking emails, you can quickly reconfigure some functions or create logics/associations. ETS really isn’t rocket science (in my opinion).
Mycraft schrieb:
Phew, 20K just for cables is quite intense... It’s not just the cables, but also the installation work involved, including chasing walls, drilling, and wiring the distribution board. Yes, it’s not cheap, but I simply don’t have the time to do it myself, and at six or seven euros per meter, the total adds up quickly. On the plus side, all outlets are directly connected, as well as most lighting points, including the garage, outdoor lighting, garden, preparation for two electric vehicle charging stations, and so on. This also includes the necessary RCDs/circuit breakers. But I have to admit, I would prefer to spend less. 😉
Yes, I can already imagine that it’s not just the NYM cable itself but also the rest of the flush-mounted installation. Still, it’s not a small amount. Of course, every house is different, and just the connection for electric vehicles adds considerably to the total cost, even though the charging stations are currently practically free.
But I completely agree with you. It’s worth having the installation done professionally, as there is hardly any potential for savings here for various reasons. It just sounds like a lot.
But I completely agree with you. It’s worth having the installation done professionally, as there is hardly any potential for savings here for various reasons. It just sounds like a lot.
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