10 Questions to Ask Your Smart Home Installer Before Hiring

1. Are You an Authorized Dealer for the Brands You Install?

Why This Matters: Authorized dealers have direct relationships with manufacturers. This means:

• Access to genuine products (not gray market or counterfeit)
• Full manufacturer warranties
• Technical support from the manufacturer
• Latest firmware and software updates
• Training on new products

What to Listen For: They should name specific brands and show proof of authorization. Ask to see certificates or check their website.

Red Flags: Vague answers, "we work with many brands," or inability to show authorization.

2. What Warranty Do You Provide?

Why This Matters: Things break. Software glitches happen. You need to know what's covered and for how long.

What to Ask:

• What's covered under warranty? (Parts, labor, programming?)
• How long is the warranty period?
• What's NOT covered?
• Is there a separate warranty for programming vs. hardware?
• What happens after the warranty expires?

What to Listen For: Clear warranty terms, written warranty documentation, and reasonable coverage periods (at least 1 year for labor/programming).

Red Flags: "Everything is covered" (too good to be true), no written warranty, or very short warranty periods.

3. Do You Offer Ongoing Support After Installation?

Why This Matters: Your smart home isn't a one-time purchase. You'll need help with:

• Adding new devices
• Updating software
• Troubleshooting problems
• Training family members
• Fixing things that break

What to Ask:

• Do you offer support after installation?
• Is support included or is there a fee?
• How quickly do you respond to support requests?
• Do you offer remote support or only on-site?
• What are your support hours?

What to Listen For: Clear support policies, reasonable response times, and multiple support options (phone, email, remote, on-site).

Red Flags: "You won't need support" (unrealistic), no support after installation, or very expensive support fees.

4. Can You Show Me Examples of Your Work?

Why This Matters: Past work shows what they're capable of. It also shows if they've done projects similar to yours.

What to Ask:

• Can I see photos or videos of completed projects?
• Do you have case studies?
• Can you provide references from past clients?
• Have you done projects similar to mine?

What to Listen For: Portfolio of work, references you can contact, and examples similar to your project.

Red Flags: No portfolio, no references, or refusal to share past work.

5. Are You Licensed and Insured?

Why This Matters: This protects you if something goes wrong. If they damage your home or someone gets hurt, you need to know they're covered.

What to Ask:

• Are you licensed? (What type of license?)
• Are you insured? (General liability? Workers' compensation?)
• Can I see proof of insurance?
• What happens if something gets damaged during installation?

What to Listen For: Valid licenses, current insurance certificates, and clear policies on damage.

Red Flags: No license, no insurance, or refusal to show proof.

6. What Happens If Something Breaks or Doesn't Work?

Why This Matters: Problems happen. You need to know how they'll be handled.

What to Ask:

• What's your process for handling problems?
• How quickly will you respond?
• Who pays if it's a programming issue vs. hardware issue?
• What if the problem is with a device you didn't install?
• Do you have a service guarantee?

What to Listen For: Clear problem-resolution process, reasonable response times, and fair policies on who pays for what.

Red Flags: Vague answers, "we'll figure it out," or policies that always make you pay.

7. Do You Provide Training?

Why This Matters: A smart home system is only useful if you know how to use it. You and your family need training.

What to Ask:

• Do you provide training after installation?
• Is training included in the price?
• How long is the training session?
• Do you provide written guides or documentation?
• Can you train all family members?
• What if I forget how to do something later?

What to Listen For: Comprehensive training included, written documentation, and ongoing training support.

Red Flags: No training, "it's easy to figure out," or expensive training fees.

8. What Brands Do You Recommend and Why?

Why This Matters: This shows their expertise and whether they're recommending products for the right reasons.

What to Ask:

• What brands do you recommend for my project?
• Why do you recommend these brands?
• Are you recommending them because they're best for me or because you make more money?
• What are the pros and cons of different options?

What to Listen For: Thoughtful recommendations based on your needs, honest pros/cons, and explanations of why certain brands fit your situation.

Red Flags: Only one brand recommendation, can't explain why, or recommendations that don't match your needs.

9. What's Included in Your Quote?

Why This Matters: Hidden costs are a common problem. You need to know exactly what you're paying for.

What to Ask:

• Is this a fixed price or estimate?
• What's included? (Devices, installation, programming, training, support?)
• What's NOT included?
• Are there any potential additional costs?
• What happens if something costs more than expected?

What to Listen For: Detailed written quote, clear list of what's included/excluded, and policies on cost overruns.

Red Flags: Vague quotes, "we'll figure it out as we go," or lots of "potential additional costs."

10. How Long Have You Been in Business?

Why This Matters: Experience matters. You want someone who's been around long enough to have seen and solved common problems.

What to Ask:

• How long have you been installing smart home systems?
• How many projects have you completed?
• What's your background? (Electrical? IT? AV?)
• Do you have certifications?
• What training do your technicians have?

What to Listen For: Several years of experience, relevant background, certifications, and trained technicians.

Red Flags: Very new company, no experience, or unqualified technicians.