Smart home installation is one of the best moves an electrician, AV installer or security engineer can make right now. High-end clients want lighting control, home cinema, multi-room audio and whole-home automation, and there aren’t enough people who can design, install and programme it properly.
I made that move myself. I started Electricus as an electrical contractor in 2009 and built it into a Control4 Gold Dealer and smart home integrator. Here’s what the path looks like, what you need to learn and how to get started.
What does a smart home installer actually do?
The job title covers a lot. On a typical high-end project a smart home installer or technician will:
- Plan and install structured cabling and network infrastructure.
- Install lighting control (Lutron, Control4 and similar).
- Install AV: TVs, home cinema, multi-room audio and video distribution.
- Install security, CCTV, intercom and access control.
- Build and wire equipment racks.
- Programme and commission the control system.
- Hand over to the client and support the system afterwards.
Some people specialise in installation, others in programming or design. The most valuable people understand all three.
Do you need to be an electrician?
Not always, but it helps a lot. Lighting control and a lot of smart home work involves mains wiring, so an electrical qualification (18th Edition and an NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) opens far more doors. Many of the best integrators started as electricians. Coming from AV or security also works, provided you learn the electrical side or work alongside someone who has.
Skills you need to learn
Networking – everything runs on the network. VLANs, switching, WiFi design and troubleshooting are essential.
Lighting control – load types, dimming, keypads and scene design. See our smart lighting installation course.
Audio and video – speaker placement, amplification, HDMI and video distribution. See our multi-room audio course and video matrix course.
Security and CCTV – camera selection, NVRs and remote viewing. See our CCTV design and installation course.
Rack building – power, cooling and cable management. Read our AV rack best practices.
Customer handling – high-end clients expect clean sites, clear communication and someone who turns up when they say they will.
Smart home installer certification and qualifications
There isn’t one single licence to be a smart home installer in the UK. Credibility comes from a combination of:
- Electrical qualifications – 18th Edition (BS 7671) and NVQ Level 3, plus scheme membership such as NICEIC for the business.
- Industry body membership and training – CEDIA is the main trade association for residential integrators and runs training for the industry.
- Manufacturer certification – Control4, Lutron and other platforms require dealer training before you can sell and programme their systems.
- Practical, real-world training – learning how jobs are actually run on site, which is what The EAV Way Academy is built for.
How to get started
- Get your electrical foundation in place if you don’t have one.
- Learn networking properly. It’s the most common weak spot.
- Pick one system to master first, such as lighting control or multi-room audio, and do it well.
- Work on real projects, either with an established integrator or through structured training.
- Get manufacturer certified when you’re ready to sell systems yourself.
Learn the way we install
We built The EAV Way Academy to teach installers the methods we use on real high-end projects. Join the Academy on Skool to get started.
Related: Smart home installation training and home cinema installation training.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a smart home installer? An electrician can become useful on smart home projects within months. Becoming confident at design and programming takes longer and comes from real project experience.
Is there a smart home installer apprenticeship? Most people come through an electrical apprenticeship and then specialise. Some integrators take on trainees directly.
Do I need certification to install Control4? Yes. Control4 is sold and programmed only by authorised, trained dealers.