Professional Automation
Smart Home Installation
We plan and install the wiring, power, controls, and supported devices for smart lighting and connected-home projects. Third-party ecosystem programming is scoped separately after compatibility is confirmed.
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Serving homes and businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz.
(650) 550-0719Fox Electric is the marketing name of Fox Global Holdings LLC. CSLB #1145945, C-10.
Define the Electrical Work Before Choosing the Automation
A reliable smart-home project begins with the exact device models, connected loads, existing wiring, network needs, and the functions you expect to keep during an internet outage.
Device Compatibility
We check the exact switch, dimmer, hub, load type, and neutral conductor, the wire that carries current back from the connected equipment, before specifying a device.
Electrical Infrastructure
Fox Electric can scope household-voltage power, lower-voltage data and control cable, device locations, and related electrical work.
Commissioning
Basic device commissioning means connecting and testing supported equipment. Advanced scenes and third-party ecosystem programming are defined separately.
Local Operation
For Lutron Caseta, supported physical controls can work without a hub. App control and integrations require the Lutron Smart Hub, which communicates with Caseta devices through Clear Connect.
Check one complete lighting combination first
Confirm the exact control, lamp or driver model, wall-box fit, additional control locations, and desired app functions. Check whether the device needs a neutral conductor, the wire that carries current back from connected equipment.
Does every Lutron control work without a neutral?
No. Neutral requirements vary by model and load. The Diva DVRF-6L and Claro DVRF-5NS have different requirements.
What should work without internet?
Define physical controls, local remotes, native schedules, apps, and voice services separately. Their dependencies are not identical.
Smart Home Capabilities
Smart-home electrical work can include lighting controls, device power, low-voltage cabling, and supported commissioning. The exact scope depends on the selected equipment.
Automated Lighting
Lighting-control options depend on the connected load, existing wiring, exact device model, and the functions you want to use.
Smart Thermostats
Thermostat work may include checking the control wiring and equipment compatibility. Some thermostats use a common wire for continuous low-voltage power, but requirements vary by model and heating or cooling system.
Security Camera Wiring
Camera infrastructure may include data cable, equipment power, and weather-resistant exterior routing. Recording equipment and app setup depend on the selected system and approved scope.
Smart Locks + Doorbells
Doorbell and lock work may include power, chime wiring, and transformer changes. App setup depends on the exact device and approved scope.
Voice Control Hubs
Voice and app control depend on compatible devices, hubs, accounts, and the agreed setup scope.
Motorized Shades
Motorized-shade work may include power and control wiring. App or lighting integration depends on the selected equipment and programming scope.
TV + AV Wall Mounts
In-wall power, HDMI, and ethernet routed cleanly behind drywall. Soundbar power, recessed media outlets.
Whole-Home Audio
Audio work may include speaker cable, equipment power, and device locations. System design and programming are scoped with the selected provider.
Pick the System That Fits
We review the exact devices, desired functions, wiring, and network requirements, then define the supported electrical and commissioning scope.
Lutron
Lutron product families serve different lighting and shade-control scopes. Exact equipment and programming responsibility must be confirmed.
Apple HomeKit
Apple Home compatibility and local functions depend on the selected devices, hub, accounts, and configuration.
Google Home
Compatibility with Google Home, Nest, and Chromecast depends on the exact devices, accounts, and supported integrations.
Amazon Alexa
Alexa and Echo functions depend on the exact devices, accounts, enabled skills, and supported integrations.
Ring + Nest
Doorbell, camera, and alarm compatibility depends on the exact equipment, wiring, network, and provider requirements.
Sonos + Savant
Audio infrastructure and control programming are separate scope items based on the selected equipment.
From Walkthrough to Routines
Smart-home work may include electrical installation, device commissioning, and programming. The proposal identifies which party is responsible for each part.
Goals Walkthrough
We review the rooms, desired functions, exact devices, existing wiring, and any third-party systems that may be involved.
Wiring and Device Plan
We document switch locations, neutral-conductor availability, hub placement, network requirements, and the electrical work included in the proposed scope.
Clean Install
We complete the approved electrical installation and supported device commissioning. Advanced scenes and third-party programming remain separate unless listed in the scope.
Handover and Documentation
We review the completed controls and provide the documentation or training listed in the approved scope.
Planning Example: Whole-Home Lighting Control
Planning example: a whole-home lighting-control project may combine dimmers, keypads, shade power, network locations, and audio wiring. The final design starts with room-by-room goals, exact equipment, available wiring, and a clear division between electrical installation, device commissioning, and third-party programming.
- Controls: Confirm dimmers, keypads, loads, and shade-power requirements
- Infrastructure: Plan power, data, control cable, and equipment locations
- Integration: Verify each device interface and assign programming responsibility
- Deliverable: Document the approved electrical, commissioning, and programming scope
Why Fox for Smart Home
Compatibility First
We begin with the exact devices and functions you need, then confirm which electrical work and supported setup tasks belong in our scope.
Electrical Scope
We assess the existing wiring, connected loads, required circuits, and applicable protection before defining the electrical scope.
Supported Scene Setup
Scene setup is included only when the selected devices are compatible and programming is part of the approved scope.
Offline Function Review
Local operation depends on the exact controls, hub, network, and configuration. We verify expected behavior before recommending equipment.
Project Documentation
Project documentation is defined in the approved scope and reflects the devices and setup tasks completed.
Defined Support Scope
We document the completed electrical and commissioning scope and identify any third-party programming or support that remains.
Smart Home Questions
How do you check whether a smart switch fits my existing wiring?
Neutral-conductor requirements depend on the exact switch or dimmer model and the connected load. We inspect the switch box and equipment specifications before recommending a device, including models designed for installations without a neutral conductor.
Do I need a hub or can I just use the app?
Supported Lutron Caseta controls can provide local physical control without a hub. App control and integrations require the Lutron Smart Hub, and Caseta devices communicate with that hub through Lutron Clear Connect rather than the home's Wi-Fi. Other systems have their own requirements.
Can you set up Alexa or Google voice control?
Voice control and scenes depend on compatible devices, account access, and the agreed programming scope. We identify which setup tasks Fox Electric will perform and which require a third-party integrator.
How much does a smart home install cost?
Cost depends on the number and type of devices, wiring conditions, wall access, network requirements, and the amount of commissioning or third-party programming. We define the scope after reviewing the home and the exact equipment.
Will smart switches still work if internet goes down?
Outage behavior depends on the exact devices, hub, network, and configuration. We confirm which physical controls and local functions remain available without internet before specifying the system.
Can you integrate with my existing security system?
Compatibility depends on the security equipment, available interfaces, and the selected control system. We can scope power and low-voltage wiring, then identify whether device setup or third-party integration is required.
What about privacy and data?
Privacy and recording behavior depend on the selected devices, accounts, network design, and configuration. We document the intended storage and access method for equipment included in our scope.
Do you do retrofits in existing homes, or only new builds?
We work on existing-home and new-construction electrical scopes. Access, device count, wiring condition, finish protection, and programming responsibility determine the schedule.
Get in Touch
Make Your Home Smart
Tell us which rooms, devices, and control systems you are considering. Call (650) 550-0719 or send a project inquiry.
Ask about the scope and fee for an assessment, diagnosis, or inspection before booking.
(650) 550-0719Related electrical guides
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Reference photo: Gvolk / Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped. Source and license in article.
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