Common Smart Home Planning Questions, Answered Honestly

Published 23 August 2022 · Last reviewed 11 July 2026 · By SMC Custom Installs

Planning a Control4 smart home raises the same questions time and again: what will it cost, who does the wiring, what happens after handover? As a Control4 Certified Showroom working in the audio visual industry since 2006, we’ve completed hundreds of projects of different shapes, sizes and budgets — so here are straight answers to the questions we’re asked most.

This list isn’t exhaustive, so if you’re weighing up a project, the best next step is to get in touch and visit our demonstration showroom in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

One principle underpins everything below: think about all eventualities, even the ones you can’t afford to fit initially. If you have a wire, you have an option; no wires means no options — or a big bill to retrofit them later. Start small, think big.

Will you work with my own electrical contractor?

In short, yes. We are not electrical contractors, so we rely on their skills and time to complete projects — especially first fix cabling. If your chosen electrician is willing to work with a third-party smart home specialist, we’ll provide all the design work, documentation, support and on-site checks they need to complete the work to our standards. Locally we work with AJK Electrical, covered further down.

I don’t have a huge budget — will you still work with me?

Absolutely. Please don’t stay away just because you think your project is small. One of the great things about Control4 is that you can start with one room and grow the system as funds allow — sometimes a single cinema room is the first phase of a much larger plan. Our smart home consultancy starts with a conversation, in person or virtually: we listen to what you’d like to achieve, explain what’s realistic for your budget, and identify which parts could be made more cost-effective or done on a pre-wire-only basis.

If you only need a design service, we can run the same consultancy process and supply a full set of plans and documentation for your project. These packages start at £395.00 inc VAT.

How can I trust your company?

We’ve been trading since 2006 and have built a reputation across Shropshire, Cheshire and the West Midlands for installations delivered to a high standard and on budget. We don’t recommend products just because they’re the flavour of the month in a magazine — we do our own research and only work with brands that support us as much as we support you.

We’d actively encourage you to check Companies House before appointing us or anyone else, to confirm the company has filed up-to-date accounts and hasn’t been struck off. On the money side, we only charge for work as it’s undertaken and only invoice for products when they’re needed — no large deposits, no payments months before a single product is ordered.

Finally, we’ve invested heavily in our own smart home and cinema demonstration showroom, with manufacturer-backed accreditations behind it. Come and visit — it’s the quickest way to judge us for yourself.

What’s your aftercare and support like?

Long-term support is one of the most important things to weigh up when choosing a Control4 dealer, and it’s the service many dealers fail to provide properly. We think about support from the first meeting, because however well a system is designed, technology will hiccup at some point — a set-top box locks up, a password gets forgotten, or you just need some friendly guidance.

Depending on the level of cover you choose, we can proactively monitor your system and fix small issues as they arise, notify you of internet outages affecting your WiFi, and offer reduced engineer rates and priority response times. Support is available 9am–9pm, seven days a week, via a phone number and email address exclusive to aftercare clients. Contact us for the options and costs.

Why do Control4 quotes vary so much between installers?

Product prices should be broadly the same everywhere. What varies — often dramatically — is the installation, configuration and support costs, which reflect each company’s overheads and how much it reinvests in supporting you long term. We run lean, which keeps our overheads down without cutting the support our clients are used to.

When comparing quotations, check the following:

• Like-for-like equipment. The devil is in the detail. We list product model numbers on our quotes so you know exactly what you’re being quoted for and can do your own research. We regularly see quotes where, for example, ceiling speakers are paired with an underpowered multi-room amplifier and no subwoofer — speakers are only as good as the amplification behind them. It’s a big car with a little engine: it works, but not well.
• The rack build. Skimping here is one of the most common ways to cut installation cost. Anyone can make the front of a rack look good; the real art is round the back. Every cable should be labelled and dressed neatly with proper cable management, so audio, data and power don’t interfere and future servicing is simple. Ask to see photos of racks installed at other properties.
• Cable quality. If you’re spending thousands on 4K video distribution or high-resolution audio, low-grade interconnects will undermine it. All of our installations include gold-plated interconnects and 4K 48GBPS HDMI cables as standard.
• Longevity. Ask where the company sees itself in five years — not grand plans, but how it intends to still be here. Companies that disappear leave customers with no support and a system that slowly stops working.

Are your quotations inclusive of all costs?

Yes. Our quotes arrive in a detailed format with model numbers, quantities and every cost itemised — effectively the blueprint to your smart home. Many companies hide that detail until you’ve signed; we don’t. Every installation includes the following as standard:

What about VAT?

If you’re renovating an existing property, VAT applies to all products and services we supply, though a reduced rate can apply in some circumstances. On a new build, certain products we supply and install that HMRC considers “ordinarily incorporated into the fabric of the building” are exempt from VAT, and our labour for installing those items may be exempt too. It’s a genuinely complicated area, so please talk to us about your specific project so everything is followed to the letter.

Do you have trusted trades you can recommend?

Yes — appointing reputable trades who work well together saves a lot of time, hassle and money.

• Electrical — AJK Electrical. Ash and his team have been in business since 2014 and have grown organically to eight staff who share his attention to detail. Ash has worked alongside us on many of our most impressive smart home and cinema projects. www.ajk-electrical.co.uk
• Building — Huwga. Mike and his team take their name from the Danish word “hygge” — cosiness, contentment, comfort — and that’s the feeling they aim to build into every home. www.huwga.co.uk
• Lighting design — Jenny Smart Lighting. Architects will produce a lighting layout, but Jenny’s mood boards and lighting designs show what a dedicated designer adds to a project. We’ve written more on why lighting design matters. www.jennysmartlighting.co.uk
• Interiors — Summer House Interiors, Shrewsbury. Stuart’s team handles traditional and ultra-modern schemes alike, and they’re a real help when technology needs hiding within a modern home.

What does a smart home actually cost?

Honestly, it varies hugely with each client’s requirements — no two homes we design are the same. But as a ballpark for a new build, factor 5% to 10% of the total cost of your home towards the smart home elements. That figure goes out of the window if you want TVs in every room, a high-end cinema room, automated blinds, gates, CCTV and outdoor audio — but most clients don’t do that. They invest in the core infrastructure and the elements they want immediately, then pre-wire for anything they’re unsure of or can’t yet afford. We see jobs over 10% of build cost and jobs under 1%, but 5% to 10% is a sound starting point.