[Brandnewideas]

I would like some recommendations on home automation packages. I am putting together a preconfigured home automation package it will be an upgrade option for a new condo development. I am in the tech field (pos hardware service and mobile app development) but I have limited experience in home automation and honestly, it seems to change so fast it's hard to keep up. Whatever I put together I will be setting up and support for 6 months or so. Alexa integration is pretty much a must. Any advice very appreciated

 

[brantmacga]

The basics would typically be lighting, temp control, door locks, and maybe a video doorbell.

You could put together an affordable lutron package, or the new Legrand Zigbee devices would be a good choice. Lutron doesn’t make a doorbell, but Legrand/Netatmo does that has no monthly fee. The Legrand stuff is compatible with Alexa, HomeKit, Google home, and IFTTT.

For a development like this, you may be better served by working with a local integration contractor that can support the system for the owners. If you’re selling the system, you’ve got to support it.


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[Brandnewideas]

The basics would typically be lighting, temp control, door locks, and maybe a video doorbell.

You could put together an affordable lutron package, or the new Legrand Zigbee devices would be a good choice. Lutron doesn’t make a doorbell, but Legrand/Netatmo does that has no monthly fee. The Legrand stuff is compatible with Alexa, HomeKit, Google home, and IFTTT.

For a development like this, you may be better served by working with a local integration contractor that can support the system for the owners. If you’re selling the system, you’ve got to support it.


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Thanks I am going to look into those now.

 

[ifor]

You could also look at Clare Controls and the ClareOne panel. It has z-wave built in and has a kit that comes with some wireless security sensors. Easy to integrate a video doorbell, z-wave deadbolt, Ecobee t-stat, etc

 

[quattr0]

Been using homeassistant.io for years that includes an alarm system. Rock solid and free as in free beer ;-) It supports hundreds of sensors/brands. I'm running it off a raspberry pi 4 with a USB stick. Don't use sdcard as it tends to go bad if you're not using backup battery and system got power interruption a few times.

 

[Christian Jeffreys]

Been using homeassistant.io for years that includes an alarm system.

Why would you want to use DIY systems when someone is paying the OP to install and setup? Look at things like Sonos for audio, maybe a small control system like URC or RTI, you something that actually has a tech support

 

[sbarnesvta]

X2, I have done many projects like this and most of the developers I have talked with would never use a home grown solution for something like this that they have to warranty it because it is part of their package when selling the units.

The key that is included with every one of their units is the cabling, get the cabling right and you can do whatever you want down the road. So all of our packages start as cabling packages in every suite then the electronics get added down the road.

Regarding control, we have always stuck either Crestron because of the scalability of it and reliability of the hardware, but IMO Savant or C4 would work well in addition. All of these can handle Lighting, Audio, Video, HVCA, Alexa Integration (I would highly recommend staying away from this if possible or charge a premium to integrate it because it is a support nightmare).

The key with this is remote management, support, and monitoring.

 

[tuxkamen]

6 months is an awfully small window of support for a system. Are you considering offering support for hire on these systems after the fact? There are many customers I've seen over the years that get frustrated when their custom system that they expect to just work doesn't. If the end customer isn't keen on managing all their own systems, they'll need a way to troubleshoot the individual components. In any event, it would be at a minimum ideal to provide those end customers with the technical support numbers of the companies whose systems you are installing, unless you intend to be their primary contact going forward.

 

[spiwrx]

I think you'll find for product quality, support, options, integration the most universal will be Lutron. They basically invented dimmer, have their own or integrate well with HVAC, have their own shades, and play well with Sonos. They have Caseta, Radio Ra Select which are both user programmable by APP. or Radio Ra 2 and HomeWorks depending on the scale and budget of the project.