FAQ - Design & Build Professionals

This video features Shawn Brown, AIA of Vessel Studio, a residential architect. Learn how he benefits from using HTA tools such as the Project Technology Assessment form, the technology budget calculator, the home technology integrator finder, and relies on integrators who have opted into the HTA Design Partner program for early technology consultation and design. Visit Shawn Brown's website at: https://www.vessel-studio.com/

This video features Bill Bowen with Taconic Builders, a custom home builder. Learn how he benefits from using the HTA's Project Technology Assessment form, the HTA Certified home technology integrator finder, and the HTA's technology budget calculator. Visit Taconic Builders at: https://taconicbuilders.com/

This video features Christopher Grubb, a Product Designer, Interior Designer, and founder of Arch Interiors Design Group. Learn how he benefits from using HTA tools such as the Project Technology Assessment form, the technology budget calculator, the home technology product Resource Guide, home technology integrator finder, and relies on integrators who have opted into the HTA Design Partner program for early technology consultation and design. Visit Christopher Grubb's website at: https://archinteriors.com/

The Home Technology Association's website is designed to be your hub for all things home technology related. Here are resources you will find:



1. a list of the most qualified home technology integration professionals in your area (click here)

2. a simple technology budget estimator tool that creates realistic installed cost budget ranges for home tech systems ranging from very good to top of the line (click here)
3. a Project Technology Assessment form to use as a checklist with your clients early in your project timeline (click here)

4. a ‘Resource Guide’ showing you the top brands and services in the home technology industry (click here)

5. the ‘Request a Quote’ service. We will make an introduction for you to one of our HTA Certified integrators (click here)
6. CEU's (many of them earning HSW credit) through the HTA's Supporting Brands. Peruse the brands at this link, if they have a CEU it will be listed in the right-hand column
7. educational articles meant to give you a concise overview of home technology systems and related topics. Click here to see the list of articles
8. a 6x a year 'Home Technology Design' newsletter meant to keep you up to date with technology trends. Subscribe here (we don't sell your contact information)
9. For technology-proactive architects, interior designers, and builders, we created the HTA Technology Partner designation. This will differentiate you from your competitors and show that you understand that your clients' safety and entertainment needs must be determined early. This is due to the fact that the home's technology systems affect space planning, aesthetics, and other trades such as framing contractors, electricians, HVAC contractors, and more. Architects, residential building designers, and interior designers may opt in here, and builders / general contractors and remodelers may opt in here.

If you are a representative of a design or build trade association, the HTA is available to create articles, give a webinar, be a podcast guest, teach at a national gathering, or any other help you request to help your members integrate home technology in the most aesthetically-pleasing way possible. Reach out with a special request at this form.

HTA Certified companies have been thoroughly researched for reputation, technical competence, customer service, and aftercare support policies. They have also provided an enormous amount of data that we publish to allow you to see exactly what their specialties and capabilities are. Although the Home Technology Association cannot guarantee a perfect technology installation, we can astronomically improve the odds of success through highly vetted firms. See this video by celebrity real estate professional James Harris on why HTA Certification is vital to success:

For technology-proactive architects, interior designers, and builders, the Home Technology Association created the HTA Technology Partner designation. This differentiates opted-in design and build professionals from their competitors and shows that they understand that their clients' safety and entertainment needs must be determined early. This is due to the fact that the home's technology systems affect space planning, aesthetics, and other trades such as framing contractors, electricians, HVAC contractors, and more. Architects, residential building designers, and interior designers may opt in here, and builders / general contractors and remodelers may opt in here.

The HTA Design Partner program was created to recognize the HTA Certified integrators that not only offer technology consultation and design, but also collaborate with architects, interior designers, and builders to ensure that the technology is integrated into the home in the best way possible. This opt-in program serves as the 'rules of engagement' for how integrators and design and build partners work together collaboratively. It gives the confidence architects, interior designers, and builders need to bring qualified integrators to new construction and remodel projects early.

The complement to this program is the HTA Technology Partner program that architects, interior designers, and builders can opt into and shares how best to work with integrators, all in service to homeowners having the best technology experience.

HTA Certified firms are divided into three categories: Estate, Luxury, and Foundation. Although we feel that great companies exist at every level, they are grouped into these categories as they excel at different types of projects. Our goal is to match homeowners with the right fit for their projects. Click here for an explanation of the differences between the three HTA Certification tiers.

In addition, some HTA Certified integrators have the additional HTA Design Partner designation. This designation was created to recognize technology integrators that not only offer technology consultation and design but those who collaborate with architects, interior designers, and builders to ensure that the technology is integrated into the home in the best way possible. You may read about the HTA Design Partner 'rules of engagement' here.

No, the guidelines are stringent for certification. Either a company meets the criteria or not.

We recommend between 4 - 8% of the home's expected value. Select a higher percentage range if real estate in your area is a bargain, and the lower percentage range if you live in a high-cost real estate market (ie. Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York). We highly recommend you and your client use our home technology budget calculator which you can access by clicking here as a great starting point for determining budget ranges.

We highly vet each firm for reputation, technical competence, customer service, and aftercare services. Each firm must meet our rigid 60+ certification requirements. Click here for more information about HTA Certification criteria.

The Resource Guide is a directory of some of the best brands in the home technology industry. These stellar companies are hand-picked to participate in the Home Technology Association's mission to connect homeowners, architects, builders, and interior designers with the very best custom installation firms in the world.

The Home Technology Association (HTA) and CEDIA have different audiences. CEDIA is primarily Custom Installation (CI) industry-centric and has many different initiatives and purposes such as integrator education, individual certifications, advocacy, and workforce development. CEDIA certifies individuals, not companies.

The HTA certifies companies, not individuals. The HTA is a consumer advocacy association to help homeowners, architects, interior designers, and builders find the very best firms in the CI industry. The HTA set the standard of excellence that consumers can rely on when hiring a technology integration firm for their project.

Additionally, the HTA created the HTA Design Partner and HTA Technology Partner programs. These programs serve as “Rules Of Engagement” to create professional harmony between architects, interior designers, and builders. These complementary programs clearly define how home technology integrators and architects, interior designers, and builders should work together to achieve successful project outcomes.