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Smart Home

Lutron Caseta, Ring, Nest, and Ubiquiti smart-home systems that actually work together.

Typical timeline: 3–7 days
Smart Home
A smart home isn't a pile of Alexa plugs. It's a coherent system where lighting scenes trigger with your morning routine, the thermostat knows when the house is empty, cameras record only when they should, and it all works over reliable enterprise-grade Wi-Fi. We design and install Lutron Caseta (lighting), Ecobee/Nest (climate), Ring/Nest (video), August/Yale (locks), and Ubiquiti UniFi (Wi-Fi and network). Everything on one app when possible, with automations that make sense for how you actually live.

Materials

What we install vs. what corner-cutters use.

Lighting

What we install

Lutron Caseta or RadioRA 3 with dedicated Pico remotes.

Common shortcut

Wi-Fi bulbs that drop offline.

Why it matters: Hard-wired dimmers stay on the network; Wi-Fi bulbs fail constantly.

Network

What we install

Ubiquiti UniFi with mesh APs.

Common shortcut

Consumer router in a closet.

Why it matters: Consumer routers can't handle 40+ smart devices reliably.

Video

What we install

Ring/Nest with 1080p+ and local storage where possible.

Common shortcut

low-grade Wi-Fi cams that upload everything.

Why it matters: Local storage means you're not paying subscription forever.

Process

A predictable path — with real durations.

1

Consultation

1 day

Walk your home, map desired scenes and automations.

2

Network

1 day

Install UniFi router, switch, and access points.

3

Devices

2–3 days

Install lighting, thermostats, locks, cameras.

4

Programming

1 day

Set up scenes, automations, geofencing.

5

Walkthrough

1 hour

Train you on the system, document everything.

Why us

Why homeowners pick Modern Builders for smart home.

We start with the network. low-grade consumer routers can't handle 40+ smart devices; we install Ubiquiti UniFi with proper access-point coverage in every room. Half the "my smart home is broken" complaints are actually Wi-Fi problems. We use Lutron Caseta or RadioRA 3 for lighting — hard-wired dimmers that work with regular switches too, so guests aren't stuck trying to figure out your system. We document every device, every scene, and every automation so anyone in your house can use it and any future tech knows what's installed.

FAQs

Answers before you ask.

Do I need a hub for everything?+

Lutron uses its own hub; most other things run over Wi-Fi to Alexa/Google/Apple. We minimize hub sprawl.

Will this work if the internet is down?+

Lighting, thermostats, and locks continue working locally. Cameras and voice control need internet.

Can I add more later?+

Yes — everything we install is expandable. We size the network for growth.

Do I have to use Alexa?+

No — Google Home, Apple Home, and SmartThings all work. We pick what fits your household.

Related reading

Go deeper before you decide.

Smart Home: A Homeowner's Guide

Everything a Houston-area homeowner should know before starting a smart home project — scope, materials, timeline, and the questions worth asking.

Read the article →

Security Cameras: What to Buy and Where to Put Them

Wired vs wireless, local vs cloud storage, the doorbell/floodlight/PTZ mix, and the placement that actually deters intruders.

Read the article →

The Benefits of Smart Home

Why homeowners invest in smart home — and what you actually get back in comfort, value, and day-to-day livability.

Read the article →

In-Ceiling Speaker Systems: Whole-Home Audio Done Right

Where to put them, how many rooms to wire, and why the amplifier and the ceiling backing matter as much as the speakers.

Read the article →

Get a quote — we do it right.

Fixed-price proposals, real timelines, no corners cut. Tell us about your smart home project.

Request your quote