• by Chuck Martin , March 18, 2020

More than a third of large-scale, family home builders are providing the network infrastructure to provide a “smart home-ready home,” according to a new study by Parks Associates.

In a survey of U.S. home and multifamily builders that sell or install smart home technology, the most common technology strategy is to install a whole-home Wi-Fi network.

While more than a third (35%) provide a smart home-ready home for customers, 29% install an interactive security system.

The majority of large-scale, single-family builders install a Wi-Fi router as a standard feature while a third install smart speakers with voice assistants as a standard.

“All builders report smart home technology is highly popular with consumers, and connected products are rapidly replacing non-connected models as standard in the home,” stated Brad Russell, research director, connected home, Parks Associates. “New consumer experiences, such as the current impact of COVID-19 on working at home, will increase the value proposition of smart home tech among consumers.”

The majority of large-scale home builders offer smart home technology to increase the appeal of the house and sales price, with smart lights, thermostats and door locks typically offered as standard, and smart appliances and smart water devices usually offered as upgrades, according to Parks.