The time is coming for your smart home installation! Soon, you’ll be relaxing while you control your house with the push of a button. Turn the TV to your favorite streaming service, dim the lights, and adjust the thermostat all from the comfort of your couch. But before we can have some fun, there are a few things to go over.
Here at Hive, a leading home automation company in Tampa Bay, we believe in open and honest communication. We know that no one likes unpleasant surprises, especially when it comes to your installation.
Due to the nature of construction, several things could cause a delay. But, that doesn’t mean everything should take you by surprise. In this article, we cover situations that could cause a delay in your smart home installation.
Smart home installation delays fall into three major categories:
Scheduling is a primary factor that can slow down an installation. For example, if we have an appointment time and the client cannot keep that appointment or has to cancel, that can slow it down considerably.
If you had to cancel an appointment for today, it doesn’t mean there will be time available in tomorrow’s schedule. Canceling an appointment could potentially mean you would get put at the end of the line.
We stay in excellent communication with our clients and expect clients to do so as well. These scheduling changes can extend installation time, cost additional money, and call for redeployment of our trucks and materials. Changes to our schedule don’t always work out well for a rapid home installation.
The most effective way to counteract scheduling delays is to keep to the initial schedule agreed to by you and the scheduler. If it is necessary to change the schedule please contact Hive as soon as possible so the project can be rescheduled. Additionally, all family members must be present during Hive’s Tech School. This ensures that all members of the household will be able to use your brand-new smart equipment. We even have a tech certificate signing! Having the tech team come back out to train other family members on how to use the equipment might cost additional money if some of the family members are not present.
Wi-Fi enhancement and equipment integration can quickly lead to installation delays. Here are some things to be aware of.
One of the first things to consider is if you have adequate Wi-Fi throughout the home or business. If you have a poor distribution of Wi-Fi throughout the home or business, you would need to address this before being able to completely integrate a smart home hub.
Integrating third-party equipment. Different manufacturers have different equipment required for a third-party interface between the controller and that product. This means there can be issues integrating this equipment with the rest of the home.
For example, garage door openers, swimming pool controllers, and motorized automated shades may each require a third-party device to integrate between the central brain and that actual product. Check with your smart home provider to see what components are needed for your system and what additional costs those items would be.
There is a chance a piece of your equipment is on backorder. Backorders are things the vendor does not have on hand, but can still sell. This is based on the fact that more stock is coming in. That could be in a few days, weeks, or months.
Backordered items can also be a result of a supplier having an end-of-life product. This could be for a model year item or an updated part that is replacing an outdated component. The vendor may not realize the demand for the newly introduced product is high and does not have enough inventory to fulfill orders. However, the lines are currently dry. The result? Companies are left with a gap where you have to get resourceful and get parts wherever possible.
In the event that a part of your system is backordered, the scheduler will contact you immediately to reschedule the installation.They may also discuss what parts of the project can move forward while the piece is being shipped.
These types of delays are often due to the area needing construction. This could be anything from tearing down drywall or adding electrical plugs. Here are some situations to be aware of when planning your smart home.
One delay could be that the area needs more electrical outlets. Hive is a low voltage technician and cannot move electrical outlets. We do have a preferred list of high voltage contractors we can refer to you or schedule on your behalf. This will lead to a delay if we do not know about this need ahead of time, due to the licensed electrician required to do this task.
Inaccessible areas also create delays in the installation. These areas can reveal themselves as early as our initial walkthrough, or later during the installation process. This includes crawl spaces, attics, or closets where our technicians will not be able to fit themselves or the equipment.
Knowing the possible ways your project could be delayed is a huge step in preparing for your smart home. During your Swarm Meeting, you’ll be handed our No Surprises Promise, a handy document that details any potential delays.
You can read more about our No Surprises Promise in a previous blog. This Promise allows you or your design consultant to identify potential problems ahead of time, and focus on how to keep your project close to the initial price level.
If you have any questions about our No Surprises Promise, contact us at (813) 575-HIVE or reach out through our contact page. You can also watch amazing behind-the-scene installations on our Youtube Channel.
