Quick Answer: Ask a smart home installer: Do you employ in-house programmers or subcontract? What certifications do you hold? Can I speak with a client on a similar project? What is included in post-installation support? How do you handle a system failure at 11 PM? Restrepo Innovations answers all these questions transparently during the discovery consultation.
Not All Integrators Are the Same
The smart home industry has no universal licensing requirement. Anyone with a van and a bag of gadgets can call themselves a home automation company. That means the quality gap between firms is enormous. and in a luxury project, choosing the wrong one is an expensive mistake to fix.
These seven questions cut through the noise. A qualified integrator will answer every one without hesitation.
The 7 Questions to Ask
1. What Certifications and Dealer Status Do You Hold?
Manufacturer dealer status reflects training requirements, project volume minimums, and access to technical support that lower-tier dealers don't have. Ask specifically about their standing with the brands they claim to install. At Restrepo Innovations, we're an Elite Pro Crestron Dealer. the highest tier Crestron offers. and HTA Luxury Certified.
2. Can I See Examples of Similar Projects?
A firm that specializes in luxury automation should have a portfolio that reflects it. Ask for projects of comparable scale to yours. References from past clients are even better. a confident integrator will offer them without being asked.
3. What Brands Do You Specify and Why?
The brands a firm works with reveal their capabilities and standards. Ask why they use what they use. not just the names. A qualified integrator can articulate the engineering rationale for every choice. We specify Crestron for control, Lutron for lighting and shading, Sonos for audio, and Ubiquiti for networking. We can explain exactly why.
4. How Do You Handle Networking and Wi-Fi?
This question exposes underqualified integrators faster than any other. A smart home runs on its network. The right answer involves enterprise-grade access points, proper network segmentation, and managed switches in a dedicated closet. If the integrator can't speak fluently about network design, they shouldn't be designing your smart home.
5. What Does Your Warranty and Support Look Like?
Manufacturer warranty is one piece. The integrator's own labor warranty and response time matter just as much. Ask specifically: what's covered, for how long, and what's the typical turnaround for a service call?
6. Do You Offer Ongoing Service and Concierge Support?
Installation is the beginning of the relationship, not the end. Systems need updates, new devices get added, and how you use your home evolves. An integrator worth hiring is one you're still working with five years later. We offer service plans that include remote monitoring, firmware updates, and priority scheduling for in-home visits.
7. Will You Work with My Architect, Builder, and Designer from Day One?
The best outcomes happen when the AV integrator is at the table with the full design team from the start. Pre-wire specs, rack room planning, keypad placement relative to millwork. all of these decisions are far easier before construction begins. An integrator who only shows up after drywall is working with whatever they're given.
“The integrator you hire is a long-term partner in how your home functions. Choose accordingly.” — Michael Restrepo, Founder
We Welcome Every One of These Questions
At Restrepo Innovations, we're an Elite Pro Crestron Dealer and HTA Luxury Certified. We've built our reputation on projects where the answers to these questions matter most. Come talk to us. no pressure, just an honest conversation about what your project needs.