What does a smart home include?
Not a single app, but a system that ties the home's subsystems into one platform you control from your phone or by voice, running on automatic scenes. These are its pillars — and the first is not a device but the wiring:
The biggest decision: timing
Our first question to you is not "which system" but "when". If the home is still under construction, you are in the best position: we route pathways and network cabling to every light point, switch and control point while the walls are open — far cheaper, cleaner and more reliable than adding them later.
And if your home is already built, that does not stop you from a good smart home: we use wireless solutions (Zigbee / Wi-Fi) that need no wall-breaking — light switches swapped in place of the existing ones, a lock fitted in place of the cylinder, and stick-on sensors. Wired is more durable, wireless is faster to install — and we choose based on your case.
Which system fits you?
There is no "best" system in the absolute — only the one that fits your case. The decision rests on three things: new build or existing, budget, and your devices (iPhone or Android). These are the main systems:
We recommend the system after a site survey, not before, and we avoid mixing systems that do not talk to each other — a failed smart home is usually not bad devices, but scattered systems each in its own app.
Lighting — the thing you touch every day
Lighting is what you use most, so it is the best place to start. The basics: control of every lighting group, dimming where it suits, and ready scenes — "welcome", "sleep", "leaving" that turn everything off with one tap.
Motion sensors in corridors, stores and bathrooms save energy and add comfort — light on entry, off after you leave, with no switch. The switch stays a switch that works by hand at all times, even if the internet drops.
Climate & energy
In the Eastern Province heat, cooling is the biggest item on the bill. A smart thermostat schedules cooling around your hours, lowers it automatically once everyone leaves, and brings it back before you return — so you arrive to a cool home without running it all day.
Tie it to a "leaving" scene to switch off the lights, raise the cooling setpoint and lock the doors with one command.
Locks & entry
A smart lock opens by fingerprint, code or from the phone, and gives you a log of who entered and when — plus a temporary code for staff or guests that you cancel whenever you like. A video doorbell shows who is at the door and lets you speak to them from your phone even when you are away.
See our solutions overview for entry and access control.
Protection — the layer you don't postpone
A smart home without protection is half a home. Door and window sensors alert you on an unexpected opening, a water-leak sensor under the heater and kitchen saves you a disaster, and a smoke sensor alerts your phone — not just the neighbours. We use reliable alarm systems suited to villas such as Ajax, managed alongside the rest of the home.
Protection integrates with surveillance and access into one system — explore more in our knowledge center.
The network — a foundation, not a luxury
Everything above stands on a network. A smart home on weak Wi-Fi means devices dropping and commands lagging. A villa needs coverage from distributed access points, not a single router in a corner, and preferably a wired path (fiber or Cat6) for fixed points.
How many points does your villa need? Ask the Smart Advisor — it gives a free preliminary estimate.
Practical takeaways
- Decide before finishing: route the pathways while in the structural phase — cheaper and cleaner
- An existing home is handled wirelessly, no wall-breaking
- Pick one system that fits your build, budget and devices — not five apps
- Start with lighting and scenes, then climate, then protection
- Don't postpone leak and smoke sensors — the cheapest point and the most saving
- Network first: sound Wi-Fi coverage before any smart device
Questions villa owners ask
Can I make an existing, already-built home smart?
Yes. An existing home is handled with wireless solutions (Zigbee / Wi-Fi) that need no wall-breaking — a smart lock, wireless light switches, sensors, and curtain motors. Wired systems like KNX are planned for new builds before finishing, but their absence does not prevent a good smart home in an existing house.
Which is better — KNX, Apple HomeKit, or Tuya?
There is no absolute best. The choice depends on three things: new build or existing, budget, and your devices (iPhone or Android). KNX suits premium villas and new builds, HomeKit suits iPhone users who want privacy and a smooth experience, and Tuya/Aqara suit tighter budgets and existing homes. We recommend after a site survey, not before.
Does the smart home stop working if the internet goes down?
We design it so it does not. Core functions — lighting, switches, scenes — run locally inside the house without internet. What needs internet is remote control from outside the home and voice commands. A switch stays a switch you can press by hand in every case.
Roughly how much does a smart home cost?
It depends on the number of points and the chosen system. We usually start with a basic package (smart lighting + scenes + a door lock) and scale up to climate, curtains and protection. The Smart Advisor gives you a free preliminary estimate after short questions about your home.
When is the best time to start?
Before finishing — during first-fix and electrical works. Running pathways and cabling while the structure is bare is far cheaper and cleaner than adding them later. If your home is already built, any time works, but the solution will be wireless.