Smart home wiring, lighting control and automation for homes
We design and install the electrical infrastructure for smart homes, including lighting control, first-fix cabling, control wiring, data networks and equipment locations
Most of this work forms part of a larger renovation, full house rewire or high-end new build, where the wiring can be planned before the walls and ceilings are finished.
For home cinema, multi-room audio and wider audio visual systems, we work alongside our sister company, OBAV.
NICEIC approved contractor. SafeContractor accredited. DBS-checked engineers. Trading since 2008.
Smart home installation and lighting control across the South East
We are based in Battle, East Sussex, and carry out smart home electrical work across East Sussex, Kent, Surrey and the wider South East.
Our work includes wired lighting control, dimming, scene setting, switch and keypad positions, control wiring for blinds and heating, first-fix cabling and the data network the system relies on.
Most smart home installations work best as part of a larger renovation, rewire or new build because the cabling and control wiring can be planned before the walls are closed. Smart home work forms part of our wider range of electrical services.
A smart home should be simple to use
A house does not become a smart home just because it has lots of connected products. If every light, blind and heating control needs a different app, the system can quickly become harder to use rather than easier.
We design the electrical side of the system so the controls work naturally. Wall switches and keypads still work as expected, while apps and automation add extra control where they are useful.
We also plan where the equipment will be housed, how it can be accessed for maintenance and how the circuits and cabling are labelled.
The aim is to give you a system that is easy to use now and easier to understand and maintain in future.
Plan the wiring before the walls are finished
The best time to plan a smart home is before first fix. At that stage, we can decide where switches and keypads will go, how the lighting will be zoned, where control cables are needed and whether blinds, heating and other equipment should be wired in.
Once the walls and ceilings are finished, making those changes becomes more disruptive and expensive.
That is why we recommend discussing smart home wiring at the same time as a full house rewire, renovation or high-end build.
Retrofit work is also possible in an existing home, but we will explain what can realistically be achieved before we quote.
Lighting control that still works like normal lighting
A smart home should not make everyday tasks more complicated. We design lighting control so you can still use switches and keypads around the house without needing to open an app every time you want to turn a light on.
Scenes can then be used for groups of lights, such as evening lighting, entertaining or turning several areas off when you leave the house.
Wired lighting control can also continue to operate locally if your broadband connection goes down, so normal lighting does not depend on an internet connection.
We handle the electrical side, OBAV handles the audio visual
We are responsible for the electrical infrastructure and lighting control, including circuits, containment, first-fix cabling, control wiring, distribution, data cabling and the equipment location.
Our sister company, OBAV, handles the audio visual side, including home cinema, multi-room audio and wider home control systems.
Because we work together from the design stage, we can agree the cabling and equipment requirements before installation starts rather than trying to resolve them later on site.
What our smart home installations include
Working with architects, designers and builders
We regularly work with architects, interior designers and high-end builders on renovations and new-build homes.
Getting us involved at drawing stage means lighting zones, switch positions, control wiring, data cabling and equipment locations can all be agreed before work starts.
We then work to the wider build programme and coordinate with the other trades involved in the project.
For commercial buildings that need lighting control, presence detection or daylight dimming, see our commercial electrical installations.
Experienced smart home electrical contractors
We are an NICEIC Approved Contractor and SafeContractor accredited. Our engineers are DBS checked and have all been with us for at least two years.
We have been trading since 2008 and work in occupied homes, renovations and high-end builds across the South East.
Wherever possible, you will deal with the same people through the planning, first fix, second fix and handover stages.
Recent work
Why homeowners, architects and builders choose Lake Electrical
We are a family-run, owner-led business and we stay involved in the work. From the first design conversation through to handover, you can speak directly to someone in our team who knows the project.
We plan the wiring and controls around how you want to use the house rather than adding technology for the sake of it. If a room does not need automation, we will tell you.
We have a team of experienced engineers and wherever possible you will deal with the same people throughout the work.
We focus on getting the infrastructure right before the finishes go on, so the system is easier to use, maintain and change in future.
Smart home FAQs
Should smart home wiring be planned before a rewire?
Ideally, yes.
A full house rewire or major renovation is the best time to plan lighting control, data cabling, wired blinds and other smart home infrastructure because the walls and ceilings are already open.
This gives us much more freedom to put the right cables in the right places before the finishes are completed.
Retrofit work is possible, but what can be achieved will depend on the existing building and the routes available.
Will the lighting still work if the internet goes down?
Yes, if the lighting control is designed to operate locally.
We use wired lighting control so normal switches, keypads and programmed lighting scenes do not rely on your broadband connection to operate.
Internet-based functions such as remote access may be unavailable while the broadband is down, but you should still be able to use the lighting normally inside the house.
How much does a smart home installation cost?
The cost depends on the size of the property, the number of rooms and lighting zones, the type of controls and how much first-fix cabling is required.
We visit the property or work from the project drawings before we price the installation.
For larger renovations and new builds, we can set out the full scope before work starts so you know what is included and where your budget is being spent.
Who looks after the system once it is installed?
We look after the electrical installation and lighting control, while our sister company handles the audio visual side.
Because our engineers stay with us, you are more likely to speak to someone who already knows the installation if you need help or changes later.
Support arrangements can be agreed with you at handover.
Request a quote for your smart home installation
If you are planning smart lighting, automation or a wider smart home installation, it is best to speak to us before first fix starts.
Request a quote. Get in touch, or call the team on 01732 758 985.
We carry out smart home electrical installations across East Sussex, Kent, Surrey and the wider South East.