Building your dream home in Atlanta gives you a real advantage: you can integrate smart home technology before the drywall goes up, saving 40-60% compared to retrofitting and avoiding the compromises that come with aftermarket installations.
At Artistic Construction, we’ve spent over 15 years helping Atlanta homeowners integrate smart home technology during construction. What we’ve learned is that early planning delivers more capable, reliable, and cost-effective automation than trying to add smart devices after the fact.
Best Smart Home security systems and smart doorbell solutions
During new construction, we pre-wire smart security cameras at strategic locations with CAT6 cabling that delivers Power over Ethernet (PoE), eliminating separate power supplies. Smart doorbell cameras get 16-24V low-voltage wiring. Control panels get dedicated 120V circuits with battery backup that keeps protection running during outages.
Hardwired cameras are more reliable than wireless alternatives, never need battery changes, and deliver better video quality for useful security footage.
- Ring Alarm Pro ($20/month) works well for budget-conscious, DIY-friendly homeowners. It includes whole-home WiFi, Alexa integration, and app-based control.
- ADT Command ($45-60/month) provides premium security with 24/7 professional monitoring, proven response protocols, and established relationships with emergency services.
- SimpliSafe ($0-27.99/month) offers flexible monitoring with no contracts, optional professional monitoring, and water leak detection.
Best Smart climate control and energy management
Atlanta’s humid subtropical climate demands effective climate control. Smart thermostats deliver both comfort and efficiency, reducing energy bills 10-23% according to EPA estimates.
- Nest Learning Thermostat observes your behavior and adjusts automatically, pre-heating or pre-cooling so comfort arrives exactly when you need it. Nest’s “Airwave” feature handles Atlanta’s humidity by running the fan after the compressor stops, making it particularly well-suited for Georgia homes.
- Ecobee SmartThermostat uses remote sensors that detect occupancy and temperature in multiple rooms. Atlanta homes often have big temperature variations between floors or between sun-exposed and shaded rooms. Ecobee’s sensors make sure the system responds to rooms you’re actually using. The built-in Alexa voice assistant adds convenience without additional devices.
- Honeywell Home T9 provides similar multi-room sensing at lower cost. For larger homes or those with finished basements, multiple sensors help every level maintain comfort through intelligent automation.
Best Smart lighting systems and automated controls
- Lutron Caséta is the industry standard for reliable smart lighting. The system uses dedicated wireless communication (not WiFi) so response is instantaneous and immune to network congestion. Lutron dimmers work with virtually all bulb types, including LEDs that flicker with cheaper dimmers.
- Lutron RadioRA 3 takes the experience to another level with whole-home integration, motorized shade control, and sophisticated programming. This professional-grade system integrates security, climate control, and audio for scenes, one button press adjusts lighting, temperature, and music throughout your home. Investment of $8,000-15,000 for typical homes delivers unmatched capability and reliability.
- Philips Hue offers the most accessible color-changing lighting and excels in entertainment spaces and accent lighting. Hue bulbs and light strips integrate with gaming systems and sync with movies, creating immersive experiences.
- Leviton Decora Smart provides reliable basic automation at affordable pricing. WiFi-enabled switches require no hub and work with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home.
Top Entertainment systems and whole-home audio
- Sonos dominates wireless multi-room audio with excellent sound quality and intuitive control. While Sonos excels at wireless implementation, we recommend hardwiring Sonos amplifiers to ceiling speakers in key areas, sound quality exceeds even premium Sonos wireless speakers at lower per-room cost.
- Dedicated home theater systems benefit enormously from construction-phase installation. In-wall speaker wiring, projector power and control cables, acoustic treatments, and equipment closet preparation all require access behind walls for optimal results.
- Outdoor audio systems extend your living space. Proper outdoor speaker installation requires weatherproof components, protected wiring pathways, and amplification sized for open-air acoustics. Running these wires during construction avoids trenching through finished landscaping.
- Structured wiring panels centralize entertainment connections. HDMI cables from sources run to this central location, then distribute to TVs throughout the home. This puts all equipment in one ventilated location, simplifies upgrades, and eliminates visible component stacks.
Best Smart kitchen appliances
- Smart ranges and ovens from GE Café, Samsung, and Bosch offer remote preheating, cooking notifications, and guided recipes. We make sure there’s adequate electrical service for these power-hungry appliances and network connectivity for smart features.
- Voice-controlled faucets from Moen and Delta allow hands-free operation, particularly valuable when cooking. Request specific water quantities, start water flow with voice commands, or turn off water when soap-covered hands can’t reach the handle.
- Smart refrigerators with interior cameras let you check contents while shopping. Energy efficiency improvements in modern appliances justify upgrades regardless of connected features.
- Under-cabinet lighting controlled through your automation system provides task lighting exactly where needed. During construction, we integrate these lights with countertop selections to get proper placement and concealed wiring.
- Kitchen Appliance Requirements: Smart ranges require dedicated 240V/50A circuits. Smart refrigerators need dedicated 120V/20A circuits rather than sharing outlets. Voice-controlled faucets require GFCI-protected outlets within reach but positioned where water spray cannot reach them.
Get your free smart home consultation and custom planning today
You’re building or buying a new home, the perfect opportunity to integrate smart home technology properly from the start. The decisions you make during construction will impact your comfort, convenience, and costs for decades.
Complimentary in-home technology assessment
We offer free consultations where we visit your construction site or review your architectural plans, discuss your priorities and lifestyle, explain system options and capabilities, provide preliminary budgets for different scenarios, and answer all your questions about integration. No pressure and no obligation.
Custom system design
For homeowners who proceed with planning, we create detailed technology designs showing device locations, wiring pathways, and how systems integrate. For whole-home projects, we provide 3D renderings showing control interfaces and explaining how you’ll interact with various systems.
Schedule your personalized planning session
Ready to explore smart home technology possibilities for your new Atlanta home? Contact Artistic Construction today:
Phone: (678) 613-3424
Online: Schedule a consultation through our website at artisticconstruction.biz
The best smart homes start with proper planning during the design phase. Contact us today so your new home includes the infrastructure, system integration, and device capabilities that will enhance your lifestyle for years to come.
Whether you’re building in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, Marietta, or anywhere in the Atlanta metro area, Artistic Construction brings the expertise, certifications, and experience to transform your new house into an intelligent home that adapts to your needs, protects your family, and welcomes you home every day with seamless automation.
Frequently asked questions about smart home technology
Can I install smart devices myself, or do I need professional installation?
Basic devices like smart bulbs and plugs can be installed DIY, but comprehensive whole-home systems require professional installation. Pre-wiring for cameras, in-wall speakers, motorized shades, and structured wiring panels demands expertise in low-voltage wiring, building codes, and system integration.
Professional installation gets you proper placement, code-compliant wiring that passes inspections, valid equipment warranties, integration between devices, and troubleshooting support. For new construction specifically, professional installation is strongly recommended because pre-wiring is nearly impossible to correct after walls close.
How long do smart home systems last before needing replacement?
Professional-grade Lutron lighting systems last 15-20 years.
Cameras and smart locks need replacement every 5-7 years as newer models offer improved features and security standards.
Smart thermostats last 8-10 years on average.
Networking equipment requires the most frequent updates, WiFi standards evolve every 4-6 years. Structured wiring panels and network cable infrastructure last 20+ years, making device upgrades straightforward.
What happens if my internet goes down, will my smart home stop working?
Internet connectivity affects different systems differently. Lighting systems using local hubs (Lutron, Leviton) function normally since they use dedicated wireless protocols independent of internet.
Smart thermostats maintain programmed schedules and respond to manual adjustments, you just lose remote access until internet returns. Hardwired cameras continue recording to local storage.
Cloud-dependent security systems lose professional monitoring and mobile app access, though local alarms still function.
Smart doorbell notifications require internet.
Do smart home systems work with voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home?
Most modern devices integrate with major voice assistant platforms, though compatibility varies. Ring security systems, Ecobee thermostats, Philips Hue lighting, and Sonos audio offer native Alexa integration. Nest thermostats and cameras offer the deepest Google Home integration. Lutron lighting systems work with both Alexa and Google for voice control.
