Plan your Project!
Prewire and technology planning for custom homes is one of the most overlooked steps in the design process—but also one of the most valuable. Whether you’re building from the ground up, remodeling, or upgrading an existing space, smart early planning helps you avoid wall clutter, wiring headaches, and costly surprises later. More than anything else, it’s about upgrading your day to day experience of living in your home.
At Precision Media Solutions, we help you think through every detail—from where the speakers go to how the lighting supports your lifestyle. Whether you’re just starting or already in construction, we’re here to help you build smarter and live better.
Try Our Budget Estimator Tool
Get a better sense of how AV, lighting, shading, security, or audio fits into your overall project scope. Our estimator is designed to help you budget smarter. Builders and Designers can find this super helpful as well! Of course, in a custom world, it’s always easiest if we help guide you through the maze of product offerings with solutions that are most important to YOU. You are always welcome to contact us and we can help you design and budget, or schedule an appointment to visit our showroom so you can see and feel what is possible in your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start planning technology for my home?
The earlier the better. If you’re building or remodeling, it’s ideal to plan during architectural design or before framing. But if your home is already built, we can still integrate technology beautifully using wireless lighting, battery-powered shades, and retrofit-friendly speaker or network solutions.
Do I need to prewire for everything?
Not always. New homes benefit most from full prewire, and not doing a thorough job ranks high on the list of customer’s biggest regrets, but in remodels or existing homes, we use a mix of wired and wireless technologies. That allows us to deliver modern lighting, shading, audio, and networking without needing to open up every wall.
Can you help if I already live in the home?
Absolutely. Many of our projects involve retrofit upgrades — adding better audio, replacing aging systems, or installing control solutions after move-in. Our team is skilled in making thoughtful upgrades with minimal disruption.
What retrofit-friendly systems do you offer?
We install:
Wireless lighting control systems
Battery-operated motorized shades
Wi-Fi-based surveillance cameras
Wireless audio systems and in-ceiling speakers with minimal patching
Enterprise networking for better performance
What if my builder already started construction?
We can still help. As long as framing is open, we can usually run wire and collaborate with your trades. If drywall is up, we’ll look at retrofit options and offer a clean solution that fits your home’s layout and style.
Can you upgrade older systems?
Absolutely. If you have aging gear, outdated control systems, or unreliable networking, we can evaluate what to keep, what to replace, and how to improve the overall experience — often without starting from scratch.
How does lighting affect the way a home feels?
Lighting influences how we feel in every space. We can help design lighting systems that respond to your daily rhythm—gradually brightening in the morning, softening in the evening, and adjusting automatically to the time of day or season.
It’s not just about brightness; it’s about warmth, tone, and how the lighting makes you feel. With color-tunable options, we can create energizing environments for work, soft warmth for dinner, or cool clarity for focus—all tailored to your lifestyle.
What is circadian lighting?
Circadian lighting is designed to support your body’s natural rhythm—mimicking the color and intensity of sunlight throughout the day. This can help improve sleep, focus, and overall well-being by aligning your indoor environment with the natural world outside.
In the morning, lights might gently transition from warm to cool white, helping you feel more alert. In the evening, they shift back to warmer tones to help you wind down. It’s subtle—but over time, it can transform how a home feels to live in.
What types of shades can you install?
We offer a wide range of shading solutions to fit any window and design intent. That includes:
Solar shades for UV protection and glare control
Cellular and honeycomb shades for energy efficiency and insulation
Motorized drapery tracks for elegant, flowing movement
Blackout shades for bedrooms and theaters
Outdoor-rated shades for patios or exposed glass
Solutions for skylights, angled windows, arched windows or oversized openings
We have a curated library of designer fabrics and textures to match your interiors
We help plan these systems early so they fit into the architecture—quietly, beautifully, and effectively.
What if I want a large outdoor TV or display?
We offer display solutions that completely transform outdoor spaces—from large, open-air patios to private poolside retreats. These systems are built for full-sun visibility, weather resistance, and dramatic impact.
Some options are fixed in place, others retract, rotate, or even rise from the ground—so you can enjoy cinematic scale without affecting your landscape design. We’ll evaluate your space, sightlines, and usage to recommend something that feels both fun and appropriate for the environment.
What is a video wall and when would I use one?
A video wall is a display system made up of multiple panels or tiles, designed to function as one ultra-large screen. It’s perfect for game rooms, rec rooms, theaters, or commercial-style applications where you want multiple video feeds or a single massive image.
Video walls allow you to view sports, movies, and custom content across an expansive format. We handle everything from layout and installation to integrating it with your lighting, audio, and control system—so it’s immersive but never overwhelming.
How do you design a great home theater?
A great theater is about more than just a screen and speakers—it’s about sightlines, acoustics, lighting, furniture placement, and the feeling of being fully immersed.
We start with layout: Where you sit matters. Then we consider screen size based on distance and room dimensions. From there, we design a speaker configuration to deliver precise, three-dimensional sound. Lighting control is also key—automated blackout shades, hidden fixtures, and controlled dimming all help create that true cinematic experience.
Whether it’s a dedicated room or a multi-use space, we help make the theater feel intentional, comfortable, and exciting.
Can my lighting and shading be controlled together?
Yes. We often integrate lighting and shading into one control system—so with a single press, you can lower the shades, dim the lights, and set the mood. You might use this for “Entertain,” “Movie Night,” or “Good Morning” scenes. These systems can also respond automatically to the sun’s position, saving energy and protecting your interiors.
This approach not only simplifies control but also helps reduce wall clutter—by replacing multiple switches with a single elegant keypad or touchscreen.
What should I prewire for in a custom home?
If you’re building or remodeling, we recommend prewiring for anything that might require clean, in-wall connectivity. That includes:
TVs (both wall-mounted and ceiling-drop)
Ceiling and wall speakers
Subwoofers
Lighting control keypads
Motorized shading
Touchpanels or iPad docks
Cameras and security systems
Data and network drops
Wi-Fi access points
Gate control, outdoor AV
Even if you’re not ready to install every component now, having the wire in place gives you future flexibility without needing to open up walls later.
Can all of this technology be invisible?
Almost all of it, yes. Our entire approach is centered around design-sensitive installations. Speakers can be hidden in walls or ceilings. TV lifts and art frames conceal displays when not in use. Lighting keypads replace banks of switches. Cables and equipment are hidden away in racks, closets, or cabinetry.
We work closely with your interior designer and architect to preserve the look and feel of every space—while still delivering performance behind the scenes.
What technology is essential in a modern custom home?
Every home is different, but here’s what most of our clients consider standard today:
Structured wiring (data, audio, video, network)
Whole-house Wi-Fi and network infrastructure
Lighting control with scene presets
Motorized shading for UV protection and privacy
Integrated music throughout the home
Outdoor AV and lighting
Centralized control for audio, video, lights, and shades
Gate and door security access
Prewire for cameras and entry systems
Beyond that, it comes down to lifestyle. Some homes add theaters, video walls, home offices, energy monitoring, or wellness-focused features like circadian lighting.
How much does a system like this cost?
That depends entirely on scope, square footage, and level of finish. Some clients want audio in a few rooms and automated shades in main living spaces. Others want full lighting control, whole-home AV, a theater, outdoor systems, and integrated surveillance.
This is why we created our Budget Estimator Tool—to give you a way to explore realistic price ranges based on rooms and goals before you even call.
What happens if I don’t plan early?
Delaying tech planning can lead to:
Wall clutter (too many switches, exposed wires)
Missed wiring (no audio where you want it)
Change orders and construction delays
Poor Wi-Fi or network performance
Limited control options (too many remotes or apps)
Higher retrofit costs later
We’re often brought in too late—and while we can solve almost anything, it’s always easier and cleaner when we’re involved early. A short conversation during design planning can prevent months of issues later on.
How do I avoid tech clutter in my home?
By coordinating early, we can reduce or eliminate visible tech elements. That means:
Replacing rows of light switches with one elegant keypad
Routing all AV equipment to a central rack
Hiding speakers in walls or ceilings—or behind paint and plaster
Integrating control into mobile devices, touchpanels, or remotes
Using furniture-grade solutions for larger displays and theaters
We believe technology should elevate your space—not compete with it.
How do you work with builders and designers?
We meet early with your team to coordinate locations, finishes, wiring, and installation phases. Designers appreciate our attention to detail and product invisibility. Builders appreciate our documentation and trade coordination.
We don’t just plug things in at the end. We’re on the project early, planning infrastructure, fitting into the construction schedule, and being available when it counts.
What’s the best way to get started?
Start with a conversation.
You don’t need to know exactly what you want. We’ll listen to your goals, ask the right questions, and help you identify what makes sense for your lifestyle and your home. Then we’ll build a roadmap—from budget to install—that fits your timeline and team.
What’s the difference between a media room and a home theater?
A home theater is typically a dedicated space—acoustically treated, fully darkened, and built for immersion. Think projection screen, multi-speaker surround, blackout shades, and optimized seating. It’s cinema at home.
A media room is more flexible. It might be a family room, loft, or basement with premium AV—still high-performance, but designed to blend into daily living. We often hide speakers, use art-frame TVs, and balance functionality with aesthetics.
We help you decide based on space, layout, and how your household will actually use the room.
Do I really need lighting control, or are switches enough?
Traditional switches get the job done—but in a custom home, lighting control does far more. Instead of flipping five switches when you walk in (or 92, if you are turning the lights on in the whole house), a single button can activate a preset mood: “Entertain,” “Relax,” “All Off,” or “Good Morning.” You can also automate lights based on time of day, occupancy, or outdoor lighting conditions.
It’s not about showing off. It’s about simplicity, comfort, and reducing wall clutter—especially in open concept spaces or homes with layered lighting.
We can scale the system to fit your lifestyle: a few rooms, a whole house, or something in between.
Can I start small and expand later?
Yes. In fact, many of our clients do.
We can prewire for future systems—audio, video, surveillance, shading—even if you don’t install them right away. You might start with lighting control in a few key rooms, add whole-home music later, or upgrade your outdoor systems over time.
The key is to plan for it early, so you’re not limited later. With the right foundation, your system grows as your needs evolve. We always say, wire for everything, because you don’t get a second chance.
How do I make sure the Wi-Fi actually works in a large home?
Most Wi-Fi problems in large homes come from relying on a single router in the wrong location. We design networks using enterprise-grade access points and strategic placement—ensuring fast, stable connections throughout your home, even outdoors.
We also build in security, performance monitoring, and remote support. It’s more than just coverage—it’s reliability you don’t have to think about.
Ready to Plan Smarter?
We help you make the right technology choices whether you’re building new, renovating, or simply tired of living around outdated systems.
Let’s make it easy to live with lighting, sound, security, and control that feels right — no matter where you’re starting from.
Give us a call, or shoot us an email. We are happy to help.
