DIY vs Professional Home Automation

Many homeowners understand the value of doing their own home maintenance and improvements, and they take pride in being able to accomplish both simple and complex tasks themselves. However, not everyone is capable, equipped, or enthusiastic about tackling “do-it-yourself” projects, especially when electrical work is involved. Projects involving electrical work usually require expert knowledge and special tools, so most homeowners prefer to leave those tasks to licensed professionals. When it comes to creating a Smart Home network, a local professional can outline a connected home plan, help choose the right products and implement them in a seamless network. As Long Island’s largest electronics and appliance retailer, as well as your go-to Smart Home authority, P.C. Richard & Son is pleased to offer some advice about Smart Home installations.

Evaluating Smart Home ease of installation.

Most Smart Home products are powered by ordinary electrical outlets, onboard batteries, or safe-to-handle low voltage wiring. They normally communicate with “command hubs” via a home’s wireless Wi-Fi network. Simply plug in smart voice-control speaker hubs like Google Home and Amazon Echo and they’re ready to answer questions and operate any linked smart devices. Installing a smart Nest Wireless Security Camera is just as easy, and once it is linked to your voice-assist hub you can communicate with anyone in the room where it’s located and speak to them through its two-way audio. You can also download the Nest app to your smartphone or tablet and control it from anywhere outside the home, even while away on vacation.

More advanced installation needs.

Some Smart Home products involve more complex installation steps, and product manufacturers are working hard to streamline the process. Nest Learning Thermostats are packaged with the basic tools that are required to mount the unit, along with a wiring diagram and detailed installation and wiring instructions. Like all thermostats, a Nest must be connected by low-voltage wiring to a home’s climate control system.

Connecting home electronics to a smart network.

In addition to individual Smart Home devices and connected systems, P.C Richard & Son sells and installs the Wi-Fi routers that provide secure wireless connectivity for many of these devices. These routers are also necessary for televisions and audio equipment to set up and integrate with other home electronics products. With kitchen and laundry appliance manufacturers like LG, Samsung, Frigidaire and others building Wi-Fi capability into many of their new products, a Wi-Fi router connected by a knowledgeable installer is more important than ever.

Rely on the pros you know.

When complicated installations are required, many homeowners will opt to call for professional help. Any licensed electrician can do the job, but not all electricians are up to speed on today’s rapidly-growing universe of Smart Home products and systems. With trained technicians located throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, P.C. Richard & Son provides installation services for all of the Smart Home products it sells. The company also provides ongoing support services for Smart Home devices through its PCTech Technical Support subscription service.

“We know that not everyone wants to do it themselves,” says Brett Feinne, the Installation Manager for P.C. Richard & Son. “People tend to be familiar with one or two individual smart devices, but the Smart Home product list has grown so much that putting together a compatible and fully-automated system is a complicated task. P.C. Richard & Son offers installation services for all the products we sell, and every buyer gets a full-year warranty on our installation work. We also have a subscription tech support service that lets people call in to ask questions and discuss product operations with a Smart Home expert who has been trained to help demystify the technology and instill confidence in consumers at every level of ability.”

The knowledgeable Smart Home installation experts at P.C. Richard & Son can help guide you through your DIY project or set up an appointment for professional installation. Visit a P.C. Richard & Sonshowroom, or www.pcrichard.com to learn more today!

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