SA Building & Remodeling
Introduction of our new division: Digital remodeling = Smart Home.
Wire your home for the future
Rudy Niño (May 8, 2005)
Imagine living in a home in which:
  • digital sensors turn-on the wall glow lights in the middle of the night as you walk to the Master bathroom without touching any wall switches and without disturbing your spouse. No more hitting your toes on the furniture and fumbling in the dark.
  • the bathroom lights go on at 20 watts then up to a full 60 watts. Then, as you walk out they automatically go off.
  • just before jumping out of bed, by a wireless monitor [smaller then a credit card] you are able to turn on the hot shower, the bath heater, and the coffee pot all at the same time.
  • the room lights automatically adjust by time delay and sensitivity settings to suit the room.
  • the home theater screen dims or brightens depending on the lighting in the room.
  • the lamps switch on to welcome you home.
According to the Yankee Group, a Boston-based technology research firm, 10 million plus U.S. homes will undergo digital remodeling, and an estimated 650,000 homes are already wired to some degree.

SA Building & Remodeling, Co is the very first remodeler to offer this retrofit service to the Texas homeowners. Some homebuilders do offer this service in the construction of new homes, however, no one is offering this service to the existing homes.

Creating a retrofit home with the concept of a smart home not only makes your home more:

  1. efficient, and
  2. productive, but it
  3. adds value when it's time to sell.
Plus, it can add comfort and convenience to your existing home.  Most electrical items can be integrated into an automation system and configured to operate based on your lifestyle requirements.

We all have at one time or other....

  • Left the lights on all day because we were coming home after dark.
  • Fumbled in the dark to find a light switch when you heard a strange noise or needed to make a run for the bathroom.
  • Overslept because the alarm volume was turned down.
Today, you can expect this kind of devices for your existing home - today - from digital remodeling for a smart home by SA Building & Remodeling, Co.

What is a smart home?

Smart homes, a.k.a. home automation, contain electronic devices and "smart appliances" programmed to perform tasks automatically when they're triggered by motion, sound, time, touch or temperature cues.

Hiring the Professionals

Installing wires in the walls is an art and a science. “It's a lot like water skiing blindfolded” said Steve Hayes, president of the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) and owner of Custom Electronics, in Falmouth, ME.

Hiring SA Building & Remodeling, Co. (the ‘2004 Contractor of the Year’ by NARI San Antonio) gives the homeowner the peace-of-mind that it will get done right the first time. Yes, it follows our firm’s reputation for the past 28 years. All homeowners will get a minimum of a 2-year wall structured wiring and cabling warranty.

We will not compromise our reputation, quality materials and our award-winning service by being the lowest bidder. A word about the lowest bidder, he is the guy that does not see the future clearly and clearly feels that homeowners like to get ripped-off.

Our home automation installers are registered and are certified in the network cabling and follow the standards set by the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) and the Telecommunications Industry Associations (TIA). These standards, like the NEC in electrical wiring, are approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

TIA/ EIA standards are living documents that evolve to meet the needs of the industry. Many of the standards that saw structured cabling through the development stages have been updated, compiled, and released as TIA/EIA-568-B in three parts.

Our electrical professional is a Master Electrician and is licensed by the State of Texas, by the City of San Antonio, City of Austin, etc. All materials and installation is governed by the National Electrical Code, State and Local Rules, and the local Utility Rulings.

Getting Wired

"Digital remodeling" is the backbone of electrical wiring that is in-place.  This is the first step.

  • You'll need such wiring to network household computers, peripherals and other electronic devices – including those that can transform your house into a "smart" home.
  • Existing phone lines may be able to move data as fast as you wish. Phone wiring systems that include Category 5 (or better) communications cables also offer the bandwidth necessary to pipe audio and video in real time via ISDN and faster DSL connections. Your telephone service and/or cable provider will be able to tell you if your home's wiring is at the Category 5 level.
If you need to upgrade your home's wiring service, be aware that Category 5 wiring, available at hardware or electronics retailers, transmits digitized data at maximum speeds only when it's part of a structured wired system.  That is, outlets, ports and jacks must each receive a dedicated line back to the service box.  Spliced, extended and otherwise shared lines siphon speed.

Wireless

Most homes already have some wireless devices in your home. Radio waves power intercom systems and phone jack extensions. Infrared systems let you change TV channels with a remote control and can free your mouse and keyboard from your personal computer.

Unfortunately, the proliferation of radio wave devices, including cordless and cellular telephones, and now infrared systems, can wreak havoc.

Steel frames used in new construction may interfere with the radio frequency-driven devices. Refrigerators emit the same frequency as high-end cordless phones, which are on the same frequency as baby monitors. Both cordless phones and baby monitors can transmit an annoying hum - as does fluorescent lighting, another radio wave generator.

Costs Involved

Will cost be out of reach? No, you can do it all within a realistic budget. “It may cost more to retrofit a wired system, but do it because it works," said Steve Hayes.

Again, imagine living in a home in which:

  • the hall light comes on at a dimmed setting to light the way from the bedroom to the bathroom..
  • the kitchen and bedroom lights are brightened and a chime in the children's room sounds.
  • 25 minutes before dusk - The inside entrance light is turned on.
  • at dusk - The outside lights and kitchen lights are turned on.
The above is what SA Building & Remodeling, Co., can accomplish for you and your family TODAY with a basic home automation controller and wiring for the future.

This is only the beginning, just enough for you to get a feel for how we can make your life simpler and more productive.

A resident of Texas, Rudy Nino is the CEO of a successful residential and light commercial remodeling and consulting company specializing in remodeling. Well known as SA Building & Remodeling, Co.

For over a quarter of a century Rudy Nino has been known as “Your Contractor for Life.” Rudy has been awarded the ‘2004 Contractor of the Year’ by NARI San Antonio and the “Remodeler of the Year” for five consecutive years - since 1998 for his outstanding achievements in the industry by GSABA Remodelors™ Council.

Rudy has over 30 years of experience in all phases of construction including sales, estimating, planning, and production and business management. His diverse experience in remodeling and his business skill have made him a leader in the field.

Rudy has received many awards during his career and his remodeling work has been showcased by several prominent trade publications He has been recognized for his participation in the local chapter of NARI as a ‘Charter Member’ and ‘Member Services Director.’ Serve for two years in a roll as the local President with the GSABA-Remodelers™ Council and two years as the VP of Membership.

Rudy Nino consults and speaks to homeowners, builders and remodelers. He delivers seminars and frequently speaks at radio shows and consumer shows on topics related to ‘choosing the right contractor’ and ‘Ten Things Your Contractor Does Not Want you To Know’.

Call Rudy Niño for a quote at (210) 723-2616 or Request an Estimate online.
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P.O. Box 794, Blanco, Texas 78606 • (210) 723-2616
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