Future Proofing Your Home

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Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Ever walk into a home that’s more than a decade old and that’s never been updated, and wonder how in the world anyone ever thought this was an acceptable living place?

Sure, it’s easy to pick on the décor and colors that were once popular even a few years ago, but beyond that, think of the many conveniences and amenities that new homes offer that make these older homes just seem terribly old-fashioned and even a little “clunky” in use.

For example, can you imagine a home today without an automatic garage door opener? Or a built-in dishwasher? Years ago, many homes were even built with a bathroom on the first floor – today, having at least powder rooms or lavatories on every floor, even basements, is virtually standard. Every cooking appliance one can imagine, from convection ovens to built-in rotisseries, are typically included in most new kitchens.

And there are good reasons for these types of upgrades. Our generation of consumers has money to spend, and they want to feel comfortable in their own home. Families are “nesting” more, meaning they’re spending more time at home in front of their own television or movie screen rather than out at the cinema. With so many cable channels, movies “on demand,” and video game systems and toys, it’s any wonder that people leave their home at all, ever! And with so many women in the workplace today, families have precious little leisure time as it is, much less do they want to spend that time doing dishes by hand or cooking.

The biggest upgrade that seems to be available for many homes, especially those in the high-end real estate genre, seems to be in the field of electronics. Home theaters built around movie screens and Dolby stereo systems, media rooms with iPod plug-ins and storage devices for seemingly unlimited MP3 files, remote security controls, all of these are becoming standard features, rather than options, on most new homes.

But with this thought in mind, a person might wonder what the future actually holds for them and their own home. How can a new home builder or contractor be sure that they are doing all they can to “future-proof” their home, that is, make sure it’s ready for whatever upgrades may lie ahead? Sure, it’s easy to design a theater room that revolves around your movie screen, but what about gaming systems? What happens when your Playstation gets upgraded yet again – or you see another gaming console that catches your eye? How can you be sure your home will be able to accommodate these features in the near future?

It’s good to remember that much of the design of homes that offer these high-end features revolves around its infrastructure. Anyone can purchase a few new gaming systems and plug them into a surge protector, however, this is not only an unsightly mess but probably a fire hazard as well.

Structured wiring systems that connect today’s home with the future of electronics is for many, an absolute must. Not only is this true for the family’s convenience and comfort, but this is also seen as a necessary investment as well – much like how that older home will probably never sell to new buyers without a dishwasher or microwave.

Entertainment is fast becoming one of the most important features of new homes today, especially those in the high-end real estate market. Even if a family doesn’t move into a home with a theater package or with media room equipment, chances are they will be looking to install that type of option in the future – and not having the home properly wired for such can create a remodeling nightmare, as walls then need to be torn out and the entire electrical system rebuilt from scratch, as it were.

Home wiring for high-end electronics means more than just fun and games, however. Security systems for the home, especially those that can be operated remotely, are increasing in demand. Many homeowners, especially those who travel or who spend countless hours at the office, appreciate being able to turn indoor and outdoor lights on and off, reset the home’s temperature, adjust the sprinkler system according to the weather, and so on, all with the touch of a button – and without needing to actually be in the home to do that. Home alarms sometimes need to be set when you’re gone, and security cameras are becoming a standard feature in many private homes as well. Especially parents who leave their children with a nanny or care provider throughout the day appreciate closed-caption cameras that give them a constant view of their children through remote computer monitors and the like.

And much like how car engines warn you when the oil is low, the engine needs repair or it needs other servicing, major appliances in the home are being wired into control panels that warn a homeowner when they need servicing or repair as well. Imagine a reminder for furnace cleaning being sent via email to the homeowner on a regular basis, right from the appliance itself!

Communication systems within the home are also fast becoming a hot-ticket item. Intercoms wired into the main rooms of the house are virtually standard, and an especially important feature in larger homes – no need to stand at the base of the stairs and scream up at your children, no need to run all over the house trying to find your family to tell them that dinner is on the table! Communications systems are especially appreciated by families with young children, who prefer them to the standard and often unreliable baby monitor.

But again, all of these items require some wiring and electronics upgrades. Investing in this work while a home is being built, or doing as much as possible when it’s possible, is a key factor in upgrading and improving your home. This is especially true if you are trying to sell in the high-end real estate arena or are competing with newer homes in this market. Viewing these electrical upgrades as an investment, rather than option, is key for any home seller or investor in the real estate market today.

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