How To Become A Smart Home Installer

Smart homes are the next big thing for field service companies. Don't get left behind!

The smart home market is worth a whopping $58 billion in 2020. And this valuation doesn’t represent a simple, short-term fad; 46% of homeowners want smart technology in their homes. Smart homes give homeowners more convenience, and smart home status boosts a home’s salability, too. 

As a field service professional, you deliver top-notch service that matches customers’ needs. But as more tech-happy Millennials become homeowners, you can expect an even greater surge in smart home service requests. 

Instead of shrugging your shoulders and turning down Ring doorbell jobs, consider gaining experience as a smart home installer. In this article, we’ll dive into the mechanics of smart homes, how field service techs can pivot to smart technology, and how you can start servicing smart homes. 

What is a smart home? 

But what is a smart home, anyway? 

A programmable thermostat alone doesn’t quite qualify a house as a smart home. A smart home client will have three or more devices that control light, heat, and other features of a home via a smartphone. In short, a smart home uses wifi, a smartphone, and internet-connected devices for controlling major systems.

Homeowners (and especially younger homeowners) want smart home devices for their seamless efficiency, eco-friendly perks, and time savings. The installation of such technology can get tricky, especially if you need to integrate multiple devices. When Alexa, Ring, and Roomba stop playing nice, there’s a good chance customers will give you a call. 

So, what do you do? 

Instead of turning down the work, become a pro at smart home repair. More and more homeowners will add these devices to their structures, so it’s just a matter of time until you encounter some faulty Nest thermostats (if you haven’t already). Moving forward, smart devices will affect your field service business. 

• If you install security or burglar alarms, homeowners will ask you to install smart locks and wifi-enabled Ring cameras. 
• As an HVAC tech, you’ll need to install your fair share of Nest thermostats. 
• Electricians or appliance repair pros will need to work on smart appliances and their wiring. 
• Got an IT or computer help business? Customers will call for help with their home’s smartphone apps. 
• Lawn and irrigation professionals will encounter more smart sprinkler technology requests. 
• Pool technicians must understand pool automation software as well as fun add-ons, like smart home-enabled lights, music, pool covers, and more. 

Become a smart home pro in 5 steps.

No matter your industry, you need an understanding of smart home systems. But with so much technology out there; how do you add smart home repair to your list of services? 

Follow these 5 steps to get educated, prove your mettle, and grow your business in this new niche. 

1. Get educated.

Educate yourself on smart home solutions related to your industry. While you can become an end-to-end smart home expert, it takes a lot of experience. Start small and educate yourself on systems your existing customers might ask for. Understand things like: 

• Installation processes
• Popular models
• Add-ons
• Common problems and troubleshooting

If possible, try using these smart devices in your own home first. You can’t beat hands-on experience, and that will give you great insight into what your customers really need. Smart devices like Nest, Alexa, Ring, Hue lights, and Roomba make easy, affordable additions to get your feet wet.

Subscribe to the device company’s newsletter so you remain up to date on the latest technology. If you want more experience, check out a smart home course on Udemy. 

2. Get certified.

Once you’ve educated yourself on smart home devices, prove you know your stuff with a certification. There are plenty of certifications available, including: 

• CEDIA
• ETA Smart Home
• Schneider Electric

Here’s a list of more certifications you can pursue. 

3. Obtain experience.

Your education and certifications will help you score more smart home jobs, but remember to start small. You won’t have all of the answers out of the gate, so begin with low-stakes residential jobs first. 

Over time, you’ll learn about other smart devices outside your expertise. For example, if you’re an HVAC tech, you’ll learn not only about the Nest thermostat, but how it connects to Google Assistant. Use that expertise and keep learning; that’s the key to scoring bigger jobs over time. 

4. Collect reviews and testimonials.

Customers want proof that you know your stuff. Certifications go a long way, but nothing works more powerfully than the almighty customer review. Encourage your smart home customers to leave reviews that mention smart technology and feature them prominently on your website. The marketing tools in a field service software system like Smart Service can help you accomplish this. 

5. Grow.

From there, it’s a matter of rinse, wash, repeat. Build a team of trained professionals underneath you who specialize in smart home service. Invest in your people and in continuing education to stay on top of ever-changing technology trends. Over time, you’ll build a reputation not only for great field service work, but smart home service, too.