Incorporating Technology into Luxury Home Building: Investment or Expense?
A consulting perspective from decades of hands-on experience, courtesy of Private Technology Group.
At Private Technology Group, your design vision always leads the way. We provide the expertise and technology solutions to complement your aesthetics—ensuring every space reflects your creativity while performing flawlessly. Advising Clients throughout the lifecycle of a Luxury Home has always been a privilege and a task. Please accept our advice with the open-minded nature with which it is offered.
Investment or Expense?
One of our primary goals at PTG is advising clients on the complete lifecycle of technology in order to help them gain understanding in three critical decision-making factors when building, wiring, furnishing and enjoying a Luxury Home: 1) Minimum Requirements for the home they are building. 2) What elements will add reliability or convenience. 3) Which pieces are more of a personal desire for your own enrichment while occupying the residence yourself.
We see so many people talked into "investments" in technology without understanding the true cost, benefits or lifespan. Decision-making logic at the time being "it is a one time purchase that will grow in value."
In reality, Technology incorporated into a Luxury Home falls into several categories.
Minimum Requirements for a Luxury Home
Some Technology elements are like a Roof: Necessary, valuable, clearly not to be trifled with; but, requires some maintenance over time and generally comes with a 10-30 year lifespan depending on climate. These Technology elements tend to include:
- A good lighting system
- Security items, access control
- Fixtures and physical interface elements (switches, keypads, cans, tracks, strip lighting)
- Proper Wiring required for wifi network access points and other devices
- Landscape lighting and elements
adding reliability or convenience
Some Technology elements are like the paint/wall coverings in the Foyer: They are a personal choice and could last 10+ years; but, will most likely be re-done when the house is sold or when your tastes change and updates/refresh becomes the project du jouir. These Technology elements tend to include:
- TV's
- Soundbars, Sound Systems
- Control Systems
- Lifestyle elements like TopBrewer or TopHealth
Personal Desire elements enrich your lifestyle
These Technology elements are like the personalized kitchens or custom-themed rooms: They hold high value to us and are admired/envied by visitors; but, it can be very hard to find a buyer who shares the same taste or who sees the same value in such custom choices. At time of re-sale, potential buyers will often negotiate from a position of burden to be remedied and not a benefit to add value.
These elements should be viewed like a vacation or a fine meal: You enjoy it. Create fond memories. Improve your lifestyle during your experience; but, they are for you and not others. The money is spent to enhance your experience right now with no expectation that others will desire the experience in the same way.
These Technology elements tend to include:
- Video Walls
- Hyper-customized Theatre Rooms
- Shades and window treatments choosing bold colors or choices.
- Hideaway TV's that disappear under your bed
- Underwater sound systems for the swimming pool
Some Elements add value both immediate and at re-sale
Elements in this category are the work-horses of the home; but, with careful planning and precision deliver the "wow" factor to every-day entertaining. These Technology elements tend to include:
- Lighting Fixtures specifically designed to each space and to highlight, differentiate and control the mood for any occasion. Well planned fixtures can change everything in the now and hold value through to the next homeowner.
- Home Automation elements like motorized drapes, access control and even Video Entertainment/Music delivery
- Invisible speakers installed behind the drywall
- Built-in storage areas behind a TV for clean organized look (hiding boxes, wires and controls)
Forethought and Vision are required for these elements. You need the expertise and experience of professionals who have seen every possible mistake in the book.
Builder grade in-ceiling cans and cheap light bulbs accomplish just that: "They look cheap." A properly engineered lighting design will change everything about a space. It requires more fixtures because each element achieves a specific ambience and it does it extremely well. In concert with each other through a properly engineered control system, a well engineered lighting design plan will incorporate fixtures that add long term value.
Some Elements add value both immediate and at re-sale
Elements in this category are the work-horses of the home; but, with careful planning and precision deliver the "wow" factor to every-day entertaining. These Technology elements tend to include:
- Lighting Fixtures specifically designed to each space and to highlight, differentiate and control the mood for any occasion. Well planned fixtures can change everything in the now and hold value through to the next homeowner.
- Home Automation elements like motorized drapes, access control and even Video Entertainment/Music delivery
- Invisible speakers installed behind the drywall
- Built-in storage areas behind a TV for clean organized look (hiding boxes, wires and controls)
Forethought and Vision are required for these elements. You need the expertise and experience of professionals who have seen every possible mistake in the book.
Builder grade in-ceiling cans and cheap light bulbs accomplish just that: "They look cheap." A properly engineered lighting design will change everything about a space. It requires more fixtures because each element achieves a specific ambience and does so extremely well. In concert with each other through a properly engineered control system, a well engineered lighting design plan will incorporate fixtures that add long term value.
Some Elements change all the time to deliver all the new toys
Elements in this category are like your iPhone, iPad or computer. They change constantly to deliver the newest and best experience, options and features. These Technology elements tend to include:
- Control System Apps, Content delivery interfaces, firmware updates, security controls, networking devices, internet speeds, etc
- Network Access Points, networking devices and security cameras
- Staff access software and household management elements
Homeowner expectations here need to be set from the beginning. If you want the best possible experience, Home Technology is not a "set it and forget it" appliance market. Plan for regular service visits or remote support to ensure updates to firmware, features and benefits from the systems you already own.
Personal Elements that create the WOW factor and deliver lasting value
And some elements are very personal design statements that provide the WOW factor while retaining value long term. These are generally not permanent fixtures but often transfer with a home to remain in balance with their intended atmosphere.
- Bang & Olufsen Speakers, Television elements and sound system
- Statement Art Pieces like the Samsung Frame Pro TV that installed like an oil painting and serves more than just videos and entertainment.
- Actual Artwork that may or may not incorporate technology created for a specific space and purpose.
Located in the Las Vegas Design Center
*Minimum annual purchase and maximum earning cap varies per level. All partnerships subject to change.
