When designing and implementing your home automation system, the most important thing to know is your end goal.

Do you want a simple, inexpensive lighting control arrangement that doesn’t cost more than $200? Or are you looking for a sophisticated, fully integrated system with all the bells and whistles? If so, are willing to spend up to $15,000 for it – or do you want to bring your project in for under $5,000?

This guide aims to help you answer these questions, as we take you by the hand through each step of the process.

The questions listed below will enable you to clarify your goals and take you one step closer to realizing your smart home. Answer each question as you read through these sections and learn more about the structure of a home automation system. When you confidently know your responses, you’ll be ready to design and install the smart home system that is perfect suited to your needs.

1. Why do you want to automate?
Maybe you want to lower your monthly electricity bill, or you’re renovating and you want to take the opportunity to add value and convenience to your home. Or, perhaps you want peace of mind at night in the knowledge that your house is awake while you are asleep. Whatever they you’re your reasons for automating your home – together with your budget – will largely determine what type of home automation system you will end up with.

Click here for guidance, or if you’re unsure of exactly what you’d like to automate, move through to the next section to get an overview of the main functions a smart home performs.

2. What do you want to automate?
Next you need to identify what you want to automate in your home. There are four distinct, primary systems of your home that you can automate: lighting, climate control (HVAC), home security, and home entertainment. There is also the possibility of whole home automation, which controls all of the above systems simultaneously.

3. What is your budget?
How much are you willing to spend – hundreds? Thousands? Knowing your budget from the start is crucial in order to design the system that is just right for you. Check out our partners to get a sense of what the prices are. If you aren’t sure or just don’t know what you’ll be getting for your money, read through the product pages, as well as the signal relay sections of this guide to learn more, and then come back to determine a budget.

4. Who will install your system?
If you have basic handy-man skills and you can follow simple directions, then you may decide to install the system yourself. This will, of course, depend on the complexity and cost of your home automation program – if you’re spending several thousand dollars on components, you might be better of paying a professional, rather than risking a costly mistake! You’ll learn more installation during Step 4.

Got all your answers lined up? Great, now you’re ready for the next step: Designing your system.