1. It’s a relationship.
Think of the home network as a houseplant; if you tuck it away from sunlight, it will never stay in bloom. Home networks need similar attention when new updates are released, devices need rebooted, or when you want the living room shades to drop down a little more for early movie nights.
Much like plants, your needs will also grow in time. A true smart home professional will understand this and accommodate both you and your home for the long run. If you only meet them during the installation and check signing, that's a bad thing.
Throughout the process, both sides should be proactive. Don’t be afraid to contact them at any stage—design, installation, and support—to get things just right. And when problems arise, they’ll update you as soon as possible. Oftentimes, they’ll be fixed so smoothly you won’t even notice the problem in the first place.
2. Certified means qualified.
Because the home network is so important, there’s no shortage of competition. From big box stores, to one-man shops and IT groups, companies everywhere are rushing to meet the demand. However, don’t be bedazzled when an employee claims they have 10 or 20 years of experience; they need to provide industry certification on demand.
CEDIA (short for Custom Electronic Design And Installation Association) is the leading association for smart homes and home networks. They offer the most up-to-date training and certifications for every aspect of the connected home, and are renewed every year. If the company you’ve consulted doesn’t have a CEDIA trained staff member on board, it’s safe to shop elsewhere.
To make finding qualified professionals easier, CEDIA released their own tool that records certified teams in your area. It can be accessed here:
https://cedia.net/find-a-cedia-integrator
3. Remote support is a must.
Imagine sitting down after a long day to be greeted with an error message from Netflix, but it’s past business hours and every technician has retired for the day. You can try troubleshooting it yourself, or wait until the next business day to schedule a (sometimes costly) visit.
Network hiccups won’t always happen when they’re most convenient. That’s why hiring a professional with remote support tools is extremely important; no matter the time of day, they can see the issue through their system and submit a fix before you know it. No scheduling, no visit, and no on-site cost unless a network device needs replaced.
4. Avoid lowest bidders.
As we mentioned in the second point, companies are fighting tooth and nail to get your business. They might offer spectacular looking deals on consumer grade products, but this lowball sales technique will only hurt your network (and wallet) in the long run.
Not only are you paying a higher markup for worse performing devices with shorter lifespans, but you’ll also pay thousands for on-site repairs over time without remote support. When you are seriously considering upgrading your home network, do notagree to a proposal without a support plan, no matter how good the estimate looks.
5. Always ask questions.
This might sound obvious, but if you’re new to home networks or smart homes in general, it’s very easy to feel lost in all the technical mumbo jumbo. The company you’ve consulted should be eager to spend extra time explaining products and concepts on your terms. If not, go elsewhere; it’s your home, after all.
Don’t be afraid of asking questions, no matter how embarrassing you may think they are. It’s hard to keep up with technology, but a true professional will work with you, not against you.
In conclusion:
The next time you notice a problem with your home’s Internet, keep this list in mind when you decide to reach out to a smart home professional. Knowing what to look for (and avoid) will help you find the right proposal sooner.
