('Editor's note: Tom Martin of the Freeman
Group Inc. in Cedarburg perhaps understands the use of technology in homes
today better than most, having spent 15 years in the computer industry. His
leadership of the progressive Freeman Group points to the use of technology as
a competitive differentiation in the homebuilding industry. We talked with him
recently about a builder's perspective on Smart Home technology.)
SB:
Tell me about 'structured
wiring' or 'structured smart wiring' as you refer to it, and how did you come
to include it in every home you build?
Martin:
I think every
builder, remodeler or electrical contractor has received calls from customers
asking that their phone, video cable or A/V cable be rerouted, changed, or
extended to somewhere else in the home. Done in a retrofit mode, this becomes a
costly, complicated process. At the same time, our new-home customers were
indicating they wanted their homes to accommodate certain high-tech systems and
other services throughout the house. The use of structured wiring in the home
was the perfect answer, providing a foundation for the home to be fully
networked. With a structured wired home, it's easy to enjoy high-speed Internet
access, network computers in multiple locations, watch cable or satellite or
video in any room from one central source, and include 'nanny cams' or security
monitoring and monitor them from elsewhere in the home.
There are many
products or systems that accomplish this. We use the IBM Home Director system.
The thing I like most about structured wiring is that it is a natural
add-on in today's world. It's not an expensive option-the cost is about $1,000
for the average mid-priced home. That includes a 'basic' starter package. If
they have specific needs or desires, the cost increases. We build about 12 to
15 homes each year, and they average between $250,000 and $500,000 in price, so
our customers are fairly well informed, and we include the structured wiring
package as one of our many options. We haven't had anyone not sign up for
it.
SB:
For those of us not as
well versed in this product area, tell me exactly what is structured wiring and
why is it so important for today's homes?
Martin:
Structured wiring is
an organized arrangement of four high-quality cables that include a quad
twisted pair telecom line, a CAT-S network cable and two coaxial video cable
connections that distribute services throughout the home. At its basics,
structured wiring systems allow the homeowners to control two or more high-tech
systems, such as computers, entertainment and security systems, lighting,
utilities and environmental controls. It sounds complicated, but simply put;
this bundle of wiring is routed throughout the house to each room so any
combination of services is available in any room. It can be easily redirected
as the homeowner's family grows, their needs change, or the house is sold to a
new owner.
No two installations are the same. We sit down with each
customer to determine exactly what they want from their system. For example, if
they want a satellite dish connected to a central receiver, or have a central
DVD player and don't want a separate receiver in every room, the system can be
set up to pipe the satellite or DVD to whatever loca tions they want.
Individual phone needs can be specified, and computers and other devices can be
networked to any rooms they want. It's easy to change and reconfigure afterward
because all the wiring terminates in a panel in the basement. That's where the
connections are configured.
I want to add, the system we use is not an
'Intelligent' system. By that I mean, it doesn't control appliances or the
HVAC, or monitor lights, house temperature and those kinds of functions. That
type of functionality requires another controller panel, along with individual
controls on the devices involved. That is a more complex and sophisticated and
increases the price considerably
SB:
What kind of advice would
you share with your colleagues in the building business about structured
wiring?
Martin:
As I indicated
earlier, this is a natural add-on today. People are accustomed to technology
from their workplaces. We have an increasing number of people working out of
the home or telecommuting, and families today have multiple needs from
different parts of their homes. It really is a sales advantage, and when it
comes to selling the home in the future, if two similar homes are available-one
with structured wiring, one without-I the one with structured wiring will sell
quicker and warrant a higher price.
Before long the marketplace will
demand this type of basic option, and I'd recommend builders to get on board
the technology train and start using structured wiring proactively as a sales
advantage. Otherwise consumers will pass you by.
