Frequently Asked Questions

Who installs luxury home automation systems in Houston?

StroTek designs, installs and programs luxury home automation for homes in Houston, Austin and San Antonio. Our work centers on Lutron lighting and shading, Josh.ai voice control, Control4 and Savant, along with audio, video, network and camera systems. StroTek has operated since 2014 and is HTA Certified at the Luxury tier.

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What should I look for in a low-voltage contractor for a custom home?

Ask who is licensed for which part of the work, because electrical and security work are licensed separately in Texas. Ask what documentation you will keep, such as as-built drawings and network and programming records. Ask which manufacturer training the programmers have actually completed, and who answers the phone after the install. Finally, make sure the contractor will coordinate with your builder, architect and electrician before the drywall goes up.

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Do I need a low-voltage contractor before drywall?

Yes. Speaker, network, camera, shade and control cabling is run at rough-in, before insulation and drywall. Adding it later usually means opening finished walls and costs more. The best time to bring in an integrator is while the plans are still on paper.

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What is the difference between home automation and low voltage?

Low voltage is the infrastructure: the cabling, panels, racks and network that everything runs on. Home automation is the programming layer on top that makes lighting, shading, audio, video and security work together. A good home needs both, designed together.

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How much should a full smart home system cost?

It depends on the size of the home and the scope of the work. The Home Technology Association's published guidance groups budgets into roughly under $50,000 (Foundation), $50,000 to $250,000 (Luxury), and $250,000 and up (Estate). StroTek's budget tool at strotekllc.com/budgetadvice gives you an estimate against your own plans.

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What is the best security camera system for a luxury home?

There is no single best brand. Look for local recording rather than a mandatory cloud subscription, thoughtful camera and lighting placement, a properly designed network, and integration with your lighting and access control. StroTek commonly installs UniFi Protect. Our security installation is performed under Texas Private Security Bureau license B29770101.