ADDING VALUE TO DEVELOPMENTS WITH SMART TECHNOLOGY

WILL INCORPORATING SMART TECHNOLOGY ADD VALUE TO YOUR DEVELOPMENTS??

Having worked on many developments of both luxury single properties and multi dwelling projects over the last 21 years, we have built a solid understanding of the types of smart technology which will add most value and result in quicker property sales.

Ultimately there are many factors involved in recommending a technology solution with robust return on investment; primarily the properties value, location and prospective buyer profile, however there are certain features that will add value to almost all properties.

Below we have reviewed the key technology elements to consider when planning and budgeting a project to see the highest return. It is worth noting our recommendations also apply to home owners building a new home or refurbishing a property with future resale value in mind.

ALWAYS ADDS VALUE: FUTURE PROOF PRE WIRING

Almost all home owners want to a buy a property which caters for both current and potential future requirements allowing them to easily utilise existing or new equipment without having to cause damage to the home to install new wiring. Whilst not inherently adding huge amounts of value a well planned smart pre wire will tick a box on a buyers list and avoid a reason not to buy due to the worry of the cost and damage caused running new wiring later.

A future proofing wiring scheme does not need to be expensive or involve running hundreds of cables around a home but should include a clear design which caters for how owners will typical use the home and ensure common technologies can work together seamlessly. Typically this will entail wiring for TV points and Sky, Wireless network repeater points, Fibre from the street, CCTV, Gate or door entry, intruder alarms and heating controls run back to a central location in the home. Any additional wiring for speakers or cinema’s etc would then only considered for higher value properties where these features will also be expected.

Investment range – £ 1,000 – £ 8,000 (property size dependant)

ALWAYS ADDS VALUE: WIRELESS HOME NETWORK

Every family will require robust and reliable WiFi around their home. In anything but the smallest apartments or houses the typical BT or Virgin WiFi router simply will not be strong enough to deliver a robust WiFi signal throughout and can not cope with the number of connected devices in larger houses or families.

A built in high quality network with hard wired WiFi repeaters around the house is vital to ensure full coverage everywhere to support internet use, connection of Smart TV’s and music streaming, video calling, working from home and linking to the expected smart heating or security apps in most homes and is a major plus point for all prospective buyers.

Investment range – £ 1,000 – £ 6,000 (Property size dependant)

ALWAYS ADDS VALUE: BEAUTIFUL LIGHTING DESIGN AND SMART LIGHTING CONTROL

A well considered lighting design that highlights the projects interior and architectural design is essential and will always make a property look more appealing. This does not mean dozens of expensive fittings are essential, but avoiding the basic grids of spot lights and considering appropriate feature lighting and circuiting will be a minimum investment but will add huge value.

Finite Solutions offer lighting design services to help developers make the most of their projects lighting to suit the budget available.

Lighting control is also a serious consideration for many properties with kitchens, reception rooms, property exteriors and master suites all being key rooms to consider when budgeting a project. Lighting control will add convenience, security, smart app control and style to key rooms and is becoming expected in higher end developments.

Investment range (Lighting design) – £ 450 – £ 2,000 (Property size dependant)

Investment range (Smart lighting control) – £ 1,000 – £ 15,000 (Property size dependant)

ALWAYS ADDS VALUE: SECURITY

All home owners want to feel secure in their properties and smart technology can add a lot of value beyond the standard intruder alarm. Enhanced security is a must as projects become more luxurious and when these technologies are specified correctly they will add considerably more value than their individual capabilities by being able to communicate and work together as one more powerful system should a client add a Smart home Control system as covered below.

CCTV, Intruder alarms, Exterior external detection, Video Gate and door entry and remote security access should all be considered essentials cover the security concerns of most home owners and will always add value to a development.

Investment range – £ 3,000 – £ 10,000 (Property size dependant)

CAN ADD VALUE: HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Home entertainment systems including built in wall and ceiling speakers and flush mounted TV screens are superb features and will be expected in very high end developments but these features are much more subjective and will have a less universal appeal. Some home owners will already have equipment they want to bring with them and others will not place as much priority in this functionality.

To see the best return our general recommendation would be to pre wire for a sensible provision of TV’s and speakers in mid range end properties and to install speakers and TV screens in the main reception rooms and master suites of higher end properties. In larger developments it is recommended to install  TV and music systems in to the show homes only to showcase what is possible with their homes pre wiring whilst minimising the investment in technology in the other properties.

Investment range – £ 1,000 – £ 10,000 (Property size dependant)

CAN ADD VALUE: SMART HOME CONTROL

For smaller more basic lower cost properties a smart control system will probably not add value or a return but if a development property is already going to include a smart heating (most system are smart anyway nowadays), gate entry, intruder alarm, CCTV and maybe some smart lighting a Smart Home control system will add a lot value for little additional investment. 

Instead of having a gate entry panel, lighting keypad, intruder alarm keypad and heating thermostat cluttering up the wall in the entrance hall  all of these can be replaced by a smart on wall touch panel. Not only is this far more attractive and less cluttered it is also far simpler to use and will generally cost little more than all of those separate ugly panels.

A smart control system will also add the wow factor and is a major selling point for higher end homes. Systems such as Control4 are quick and simple to deploy and also include built in smart app functionality giving homeowners a single simple app that will allow them to operate all main functions of the house remotely. As each of the systems above can now communicate with each other the house also ticks the green and security enhancement boxes as simply setting the alarm will turn off all lighting, turn on holiday security lighting modes and close blinds and velux windows and turn all technology to standby so electricity use is set to a minimum when the house is empty.

Investment range – £ 2,000 – £ 10,000 (Property size dependant)

CAN ADD VALUE: CINEMA AND MEDIA ROOMS

For standard developments a cinema or media room probably will not create a return on investment but for larger more luxury properties a built in invisible surround sound system in the main family room or a dedicated media room/bar will cover all bases and ensure that nothing on a typical families wish list is missed. Room interior design and ease of use for movies, gaming and TV would be the focus with the quality of equipment kept to a good but cost effective level to reduce the investment required whilst maximising return on all but the highest end of properties which high end quality will be a must.

Investment range – £ 5,000 – £ 30,000 (Room type and quality dependant)