Build It In Right: New Home Automation for Kansas City Builds
Whether you’re building a new home in Johnson County, KS, or retrofitting your space in the Kansas City metro, B-Baum Innovations offers tiered technology systems sized for your household’s way of living. We make sure you get what you need without being steered toward the biggest new home automation system on the menu.
Plan Your Technology While the Walls Are Open
Generally, it’s easiest and cheapest to incorporate technology when the walls are already open. B-Baum Innovations partners with your builder during the early phases of a project, so we can incorporate wires into your new build plan. Our pre-wire installation is geared to support scalable automation systems, so you can add new technology over time. If we don’t pre-wire before the drywall is in place, then adding a wired speaker or camera means cutting into finished surfaces and patching them afterward.
Our packages are sized to the way you’ll live from day to day. A family in Olathe might want reliable security and music in the kitchen. A couple in Leawood might seek a basement theater with Wi-Fi that reaches the back patio. We make our recommendation based on your household, and you always make the final call.
Compare Home Automation Solutions and Find Your Fit
What matters most in your new home? Some homeowners want peace of mind from day one, with smart security systems that monitor the space 24/7. Others prioritize a listening room or music across their whole home. Instead of assuming you want an entire home automation system, we offer tiered technology options, so you have the freedom to invest in smaller solutions for now and expand in the future. Check out some examples of scalable systems:
| System | Starting System | Whole-Home Automation |
|---|---|---|
| Security | Basic security cameras | Full security with camera coverage, smart locks, and alarm systems |
| Audio Zones | A couple of designated listening zones | Whole-home audio |
| Lighting | Exterior accent lighting to brighten your home after dark | Dimmable light fixtures throughout your home |
| Home Theater | A TV and soundbar mounted to your living room wall | A dedicated theater room with surround sound |
| Automation & Control | Wired for future automation | Full control system |
A System That Grows With Your Household
Upgrading your smart home technology isn’t an all-or-nothing decision. There’s no pressure to go from a few solutions to full automation. We anticipate that your needs will continue to change in the months or years after you move in. That’s why we pre-wire to keep future options open. As your life changes and your family grows, we provide upgrades that match your specific needs. Here’s some of the benefits of working with us:
- Add audio zones, smart home lighting control, cameras, TV screens, and more without re-opening walls.
- Move from a starter package to full custom integration whenever you’re ready.
- Count on ongoing service and support long after you’ve settled in.
- Work with a local team serving communities in Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee, and Leawood.
- Get honest recommendations based on what your household needs, with no pressure to buy more.
Your Pre-Drywall Planning Checklist
Timing is the one detail you can’t change later. Pre-wiring happens after framing and before insulation and drywall go in. Once that window closes, every addition gets harder and more expensive. Plan these items with your builder before rough-in.
- Security: Door and window sensor spots, plus camera locations covering your entries and driveway.
- Audio: Which rooms are designated audio zones and whether speakers sit in the ceiling or the wall.
- Wi-Fi and Wired Connections: Access point locations for strong coverage, plus wired drops for TVs and home offices.
- TV and Media Locations: Every wall where a TV might hang, including a lower-level media room.
- Smart Home Readiness: Wiring for future keypads and motorized shades.
- Equipment Location: A central home for your equipment rack. In many KC-area builds, the basement is the natural choice.
Before rough-in, we walk the site with you and your builder. Seeing the framed rooms in person makes it easy to confirm camera angles and TV walls before a single wire goes in.
Technical Planning Details
- Cable Types: Cat6 is the standard data cable for Wi-Fi access points and cameras. Speaker wire runs to each audio zone.
- Conduit: Conduit is a flexible tube inside the wall that lets you pull new cables later without opening drywall. We recommend running it to the equipment rack and major TV locations.
- Access Point Placement: An access point is a small device that broadcasts Wi-Fi. Central placement on each floor gives you strong coverage throughout the home, basement included.
How Builder and GC Partnerships Work
When we join your new build, we coordinate everything from home automation to a new construction security system to make sure your builder’s schedule stays on track. Here’s how the process works.
- Introduction: You reach out to us directly, or your build team receives a referral for our services.
- Consultation: We meet with you and your builder to recommend a tiered technology package and keep you updated along the way.
- Schedule Coordination: We line up pre-wire timing and site access with the existing build calendar, making sure to avoid delaying your builder’s timeline.
- Trim-Out and Installation: After the pre-wire and drywall are finished, we install the equipment and bring each system online.
- Handoff and Support: We walk you through your new technology and stay available after move-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I schedule a technology pre-wire on a new build in Johnson County, Kansas?
Pre-wire happens after framing and before insulation and drywall go in. Reach out as soon as you have a builder, so we can plan our installation alongside theirs.
Do low-voltage pre-wire installations need a permit in Kansas City or Johnson County?
Permitting changes depending on the location. We research your specific area and make sure our installation complies with local codes.
How do HOA rules in Johnson County new build communities affect security cameras and exterior technology?
Many master-planned communities have covenants that limit where exterior cameras and equipment can go. During the walkthrough, we review your HOA guidelines and plan camera placement that meets them while still covering your entries.
How much does it cost to pre-wire a new construction home in Kansas City?
Cost depends on your package and your home’s size. The main factors include the number of audio zones, the number of cameras and sensors, the size of your home, and add-ons like conduit or surge protection. We will give you an estimate during planning.
What is the best way to add home automation to a new build without paying for a full custom system?
A tiered technology package lets you pre-wire for automation during construction without paying for a full system up front. Start with the essentials and add automation as your needs grow.
Can I start with a basic security and audio system and upgrade later?
Yes. Because the wiring goes in during construction, adding audio zones or cameras later is quick and won’t require opening walls.
How do builders and general contractors in Kansas City refer clients for technology packages?
Referrals vary. Sometimes the homeowner contacts us directly, and other times, the build team reaches out first. Next, we meet with both builder and homeowner to recommend home automation technology. Finally, we coordinate pre-wire and installation around the existing build schedule.
What wiring should be run in a new home for Wi-Fi, security cameras, and future technology?
- Wi-Fi: Cat6 to ceiling access point locations on each floor
- Security cameras: Cat6 to each camera location, with weather-rated exterior fittings
- TVs: Cat6 plus conduit to each TV location
- Audio: Speaker wire to each planned zone
- Future technology: Conduit to the equipment rack and main living areas
Plan Your Build’s Technology
Whether you’re building a new home or planning ahead for a client, we’d be glad to talk through your options. Your first conversation is a relaxed planning session with no pressure to commit. We serve communities across the Kansas City metro and Johnson County.