Smart home installer
Smart home installers design, fit and configure lighting, heating, security, audio and home cinema systems in residential properties.
Also known as: Smart home technology professional, smart home technician
- Starter salary£22,000 a year
- Experienced£55,000 a year
- Typical hours35 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a smart home installer, you would work on systems that control:
- lighting, home cinema and multi-room audio
- communications
- security features
- heating, air-conditioning and ventilation
- doors, windows, blinds and gates
You could:
- work with customers to design their smart home system
- provide estimates for project timescales and costs
- install, connect and calibrate smart home devices and controls
- test circuits and components to make sure they're working properly
- find and fix faults
- install equipment upgrades
- configure devices, controls and settings to achieve best performance
- show customers how to operate their smart home system
Working environment
You could work at a client's home, on an apartment block or on a new housing development.
Your working environment may be at height, cramped and you'll travel often.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- ability to connect computer networks, cabling and telecoms systems
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- ability to interpret blueprints, engineering plans and service manuals
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- troubleshooting skills to test equipment and find faults
- the ability to repair smart home systems
- customer service skills
- maths skills to analyse data and work out project costs
- to have a thorough understanding of computer systems and applications
How to become a smart home installer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
College
You could do a college course that would give you a strong foundation and some of the skills needed for this job. It may help you to find a trainee or apprenticeship position with a smart home installation company.
Courses include:
- electrical and electronic engineering
- electrical installation
- information technology
- computer science
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, for example:
- Smart Home Technician
- Network Cable Installer
- Electrical, Electronic Product Service and Installation Engineer
You may be able to do an Audiovisual Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship if you already have experience or qualifications in this type of work.
Entry requirements
To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:
- 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
Work
If you're working as a junior or assistant installer, after doing an apprenticeship or college course, you could take on-the-job training to become certified.
This would demonstrate your competence and show you have the knowledge and skills necessary to install and maintain smart home technology systems.
Certifications include:
- Cabling and Infrastructure Technician (CIT)
- Integrated Systems Technician (IST)
Restrictions and requirements
You might need a driving licence to travel between jobs.
You may need an electrotechnical certification scheme (ECS) card to work on larger jobs, for example on a new build construction site.
Career path and progression
The smart home technology industry offers many different career options at home and abroad.
With training and experience you could become a:
- senior installer or technician
- project manager
- control systems programmer
- lighting designer
- acoustics or home cinema specialist
- technical designer or CAD engineer
- systems and equipment sales executive
You could also start your own smart home installation business.
Career tips
The demand for connected digital technology is increasing with the expansion of home working, streaming, online gaming and use of smart devices.
The technology is also being harnessed to help people lead more independent lives .
The growth in use of smart technology means there are good career prospects for those who want to work in the industry.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join CEDIA - the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association - for career development opportunities, industry news and to expand your network of contacts.
Guides for this industry
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