Cable & Structured Wiring – Although some of today's home automation products need no new wires (and thus are suited to retrofit an existing home), consider adding audio, video, networking, and control wiring during any major construction project while it is easy and relatively inexpensive. The wires run to a central location, where any of a number of vendors’ systems can control the environment.

Phone Systems – Phone systems originally designed for small businesses are very useful in the home. You can fully screen your incoming calls using caller ID and a home automation controller. Only calls from approved numbers will ever ring your phone - the rest go directly to voicemail. "Disapproved" numbers can be blocked completely. Install voice control software to turn your phone system (in your home or called in from outside) into a remote control.

Networking – Have Ethernet available all over your house without the troublesome "dropout" spots that can happen with wireless. We'll be happy to install wireless, too, but you won't have to buy another repeater (or mess with the exact placement of the ones you have) for every "dead zone" that you encounter. Use Internet Protocol to control your "IP capable" automated stuff over the Internet. Tie into your Security System and you can look through your security cameras on your office computer.

Security – Your home can call or email you for an alert situation; save money on security monitoring services. It can include motion sensitive surveillance cameras, glass breakage sensors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and audible alarms. You can monitor for "non-security" events—water in the basement, temperature too low or too high (to protect your pipes, pets, and plants), or, "It's raining and the master bedroom windows are open."

Access Control – Lock and unlock doors remotely. Open or close the garage door, windows, skylights, and vents. Call home or use the Internet to do it from your office.