5 Steps to Making Your Home Smarter

Are you considering adding home automation technology to your residence? There are so many different types of electronics and appliances that can be automated, it can be difficult to know where to start. Whether you’re looking to automate lighting, doors, or temperature controls, it’s all possible with the right smart home technology.

Here’s a 5-step guide to making your home smarter with automated technology.

1. Ask the Right Questions.

Just because you can automate almost everything about your home, it doesn’t mean you have to, or that you’ll even want to. Before you decide to install any smart home technology, you’ll want to ask yourself several questions.

Every household’s needs are different depending on the makeup of its residents and their unique needs and preferences. What works for one household might not work for another, so it’s important to check in with everyone before spending any money on tech.

When considering which types of automation may work best for your household, some things to consider include:

• How old is the home?

Is it a newer construction? Or, as it built pre-1950s? An older home may require more work to make it “smart”.

• What type of home is it? Do you own or rent?

Do you live in a single-family home, or a multi-tenant building or apartment? What are the rules around installing technology in your home or building unit?

• Are there children and/or pets living in the home?

Some automated technology might not work or be safe for children or pets.

• Do you want to install it yourself or hire a professional?

Do you want to install the technology yourself, or would you rather let someone else handle it?

2. Consider Your budget for Smart Home Tech.

Smart home tech can cost hundreds of dollars, or it can cost thousands of dollars. Make sure you understand all of the upfront and ongoing costs of smart home technology before going all in. Making a list of must-haves vs. nice-to-haves is a good place to start. That way you know what can be cut out if it doesn’t fit your budget.

3. Evaluate the Potential Return on Investment.

The right type of automated technology for your home could absolutely save you time and in the long run, even money. However, some technology will require more of an upfront investment, so it’s important to consider how long you plan to live in the home to determine whether you’ll likely receive a return on your investment when you sell.

4. Research Smart Home Technology Options and Providers.

Once you’ve considered the types of smart home technology that might be a good fit for you, you’ll want to do some research to ensure you find the best quality products on the market. Be sure to read reviews, specifications, and any additional information about the technology you plan to add to your home. You don’t want to end up purchasing something that doesn’t work the way you expected it to, or at all.

Some common types of smart home technology include:

• Thermostats
• Door locks
• Smart Lights
• Ring doorbells
• Ring water sensor
• Blink cameras
• Floor cleaning appliances
• Google Home security
• Apple HomeKit

5. Install Your Smart Home Technology

Now that you’ve chosen the smart home technology products you want to incorporate into your daily routine, there’s the matter of installation. Do you have the time (and the patience) to install the technology yourself? Or, would you rather hire a professional to do the installation(s) for you?

At My Handyman of Dover, we are fully bonded and insured, so you can rest easy knowing that all of the work we do is covered. We can even perform work while no one is home, so you can go to work, run errands, or do whatever you had planned for the day while we install your smart home technology. Plus, our technicians promise to treat your home like it’s ours - we’ll clean up all of our messes before we leave.

Have My Handyman Install Your Small Home Tech

Looking to make your home a little smarter with smart home technology installation? Call My Handyman of Dover, Portsmouth, and Rochester today to help ensure it gets done right the first time. Request a quote today.