Blogs

On Friday, 20 May 2022.

Why DIY Smart Homes Fall Short

We’re a home automation company. Yet when we hear people complain that smart homes are “overrated” or “don’t work” (like this article in Gizmodo), we take no offense. Why not? 

Because we know that these smart homes were not professionally installed with the best control systems. They’re DIY smart homes, relying on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and “20 different apps” to control it all. If you only use off-the-shelf smart gadgets from Amazon or Best Buy, it’s no surprise that you’ll run into trouble!  

For a real smart home experience, you need to partner with a home automation company (like our team in Palm Beach, FL) that can seamlessly wire and program your entire house’s technology. Here’s why a professional smart system makes all the difference. 

SEE ALSO: A Day in the Life with Home Automation 

A Professional Knows What They’re Doing  

For a smart home system to run flawlessly, you need to know the best products and installation methods. This kind of knowledge is only acquired through trial-and-error experimentation and extensive research. If you’ve never installed a smart home system before, it’s very difficult to get it right the first time. We trust professionals for a reason, whether we’re purchasing a wedding cake or a new haircut. They know how to do the job better than anyone, and the same applies to home automation. 

Smart Homes Need a Strong Foundation 

People end up with 20 different smart home apps because they never built a foundation for their smart home. An automated home needs a strong network, a structured equipment rack, power management, and wiring to connect lighting, audio, video, security, and more to the control system. In a large, luxury home, DIY Wi-Fi and Bluetooth setups are not strong enough to support a complex smart system. We’d argue that wiring and a strong foundation are more important than your electronics. 

Professionals Use Better Equipment 

DIY smart homes often lack the highest caliber hardware, which can lead to a jumbled confusion of controls. Most off-the-shelf products, like video doorbells and smart thermostats, can’t work together and require you to switch between apps or remotes. You should never rely solely on your phone to control your house system, and all your devices should work in unison. 

Goodbye to 20 Apps. It’s All in One System  

At our home automation company, we only install the best-of-the-best control systems, including Crestron, Control4, and Lutron for lighting. Third-party smart lights, shades, security cameras, alarms, speakers, screens, and more can be integrated into the same system, and will respond immediately to your every command. You won’t run into connectivity issues or delays. When you trust the pros, a smart home works just as it should. 

If you’re ready to experience the luxury and convenience of home automation in your Palm Beach house, Definitive Electronics is here to help. We design and install custom systems to suit your unique home and lifestyle. Contact us here or send us a message below to get started today!

Proven Track Record

5-Star Rating On Google

5.00
Overall rating of 33 1st-party reviews

2025-10-30

Bryan Pisko LLC
Eli is a great trouble shooter and provides excellent customer service. His work is top notch and he provides great value at price. 5 stars.

2025-10-06

Michael Thaler
I have had home automation done before but Robert G project management at my home and Cory is another level. Incredible job !

2025-09-27

Frank Drago
Quick, efficient service. Nino and Jason were terrific in getting my business up and running quickly after a lightning strike. Highly recommended!

2025-09-20

Catherine Rothpletz
They did a great job setting up the WiFi for my house. Technicians are very friendly and professional. I would always recommend their services!

2025-09-17

Phillip Brunson
Definitive and particularly Glenn Zavits are incredibly responsive. They very much help me consider applications that simplify operating our electronics. I recommend Definitve and Glenn highly. Come thick or thin, (as my application is on a boat) they respond and make recommendations for us to consider and execute. Extremely reliable and professional.

2025-09-15

Doug Jewell
Great DE experience today with Daniel. Needed equipment updates & Rutkus access point troubleshooting to solve network interference issues. Daniel patiently worked his way through updates & equipment, including reaching out for OEM technical assistance. Good job, thank you Daniel & DE!!

2025-09-11

Jason Geller
Dan and Tim were just at my house and I can’t express what a phenomenal job that they did. They took the time to make sure that everything was absolutely perfect, explained everything to me, we’re on time and couldn’t have been nicer. Everything turned out wonderful, and I would highly recommend them to anyone considering getting any AV work done at their home! A+++ across the board.

2025-08-29

J W
Definitive Electronics quickly replaced my halo controller as it quit working after several years. Thanks Jason for answering all my many questions!

2025-08-28

Theresa McNeil
Daniel with Definitive Electronics was absolutely amazing, hands down! He came out to fix one issue but went above and beyond by helping us with multiple problems we were experiencing. He is extremely knowledgeable, detailed, and thorough in his work. What stood out the most was how he made sure we fully understood everything and took the time to answer all of our questions. His professionalism and expertise are unmatched.

2025-08-06

Sabrina Guell
We have been a customer of Definitive for years… and have always been happy with their quick response and professionalism in handling our residence. Today we had the pleasure of meeting a new tech (for us but not the company). Daniel handled the residence with ease and such a great positive demeanor. Very poised under pressure and very quick on finding a solution to the issue. We have known Don and the team for quite some years now and are still happy with them all. Thank you for all you do.

2025-08-06

George Conrades
Jason is an outstanding tech. He knows his security camera/DVR technology cold from installation to programming. He also is patient and supportive explaining how everything works and how to use the system to best effect. I highly recommend Jason and Definitive Electronics.

2025-08-04

Jason Thorn
Matt was great to work with; he helped us integrate a previous system into our current system that we use and did an amazing job. He also helped bring new systems & equipment into our current platform which was very helpful. Prior to our install Matt & his team ran everything that we needed to get the job done prior to our arrival. Matt's communication and awareness of what we needed was top notch.

2025-07-30

Gerald Carter
Very courteous and professionsl.

2025-07-23

Greg Byers
I can Highly Recommend Definitive to everyone Len came out and solved every problem we had with our Tv and Electronics with care and patients. Now my wife can use the remote as he explained to her. Thank you Len very professional

2025-07-18

Dawn Hoffman
This is the most incredible AV company you will ever come across! they are so efficient, detailed, they do what they say they are going to do, they are honest, they recommend and tell you what will work and what won't, and they have the kindest, and most respectful employees. Connor Dixon is a rock star, always staying on top of what needs to be done and will be done and giving me a date and time and shows up, and in this world we live in this is all so refreshing! Thank you Definitive for being the best AV company I have ever worked with! Dawn HOffman

2025-07-11

Gary Ruff
Jason brings expertise and personality to my client’s needs Always focused and takes his work personally Conscious to be efficient without sacrificing total attention to the issues I know when Jason arrives my clients list will be addressed

2025-07-10

Arthur Salazar
Tim is approachable and awesome.

2025-07-08

Karen Cohen
Matthew Ray with Definitive was extremely helpful, efficient and knowledgeable! He went above and beyond to diagnose my chronic Internet problems, and educated me about many things including suggestions on how to lower my $450 Xfinity bill. Most of all he worked directly with the Comcast technician at my house when all the TVs were out and this prevented me from making many phone calls to Comcast that would only cause many headaches. Thank you so much to Matthew and Definitive for making this experience so pleasant!

2025-06-24

Phillip H. Morse
I've been a very happy customer of Definitive for years. They put our smart home together in 2015 and they have maintained it to perfection. I can not say enough good things about how they conduct their business! Phillip H. Morse

2025-06-19

Steve Berg
Daniel was prompt, patient, knowledgeable and effective. Everything was completed to our satisfaction. Will request Daniel again!

2025-06-05

Bob Hammer
Jason was polite, confident and efficient. 10 out of 10!

2025-06-05

Jennifer Reimer
Outstanding customer service. Friendly and punctual. 100% recommend

2024-12-06

Stephen Master
Used Don and Definitive for my new home A/V and Lutron needs in Palm Beach. Highly recommend them, they stood out in the craziness of new construction for being reliable and everyone sent to the house was highly skilled. Will work with them again

2024-10-23

Joey Lenz
Had some speakers installed as well as some remote control blinds. The owner Don was very friendly and Brian and billing with the extra mile to explain everything that needed to be explained. The installer Ken is second to none. He even put batteries in my remote control.!

2024-05-24

John Paul Somers
Our experience with Definitive Electronics exceeded our expectations in every way. From the Shade design, planned WiFi coverage and all of the TV’s, we couldn’t be happier. From the initial sales consult with Tom Samuelson to the final installation support from Ken Wright and the expertise of the overall installation by Rob Glucksman, it was a first-rate experience!

2023-12-18

Kelly Rothrock
We have worked with Definitive Electronics for many of our client's AV and low voltage needs. Their staff is highly educated and professional when it comes to the latest equipment on the market. Working with Definitive has been a smooth process throughout all of our construction processes, and Rothrock Construction will continue to work with their firm over the upcoming years.

2023-08-04

Michael Arrieta
I am so grateful for the professional advice and direction from Brian Hann. The best customer service I’ve ever received … he advised me in a way that no other company would

2022-05-06

Gary Glancy
Professional, personable and up to date on all the latest inovations in the industry. There's nothing that this group of people can't get accomplished. Super happy with the level of expertise and would highly recommend to anyone who considers themselves a audio & video geek.

2020-06-27

Steve B.
This Team is very responsive and very knowledgeable. They have addressed and resolved questions/issues with Lutron, Nexis and Sonos Systems. Good firm to work with!

2019-03-20

Charles Alberti-Tedder
Friendly staff with knowledgable advice

2018-09-19

Adam Griffin
Recently purchased Sonos Playbar, sub and play5. Couldn’t be happier. Owner is very knowledgeable of the electronics industry and passionate about there products. Highly suggest calling or stopping by if you have any home audio, outdoor lighting or marine electronics needs.

2018-08-10

Michelle Nix
Awesome experience, great company in FL

2015-04-25

Yani Kinz
Best av conpany in so flo