Your questions,
answered honestly.

A smart home is a property where the main systems — lighting, heating, security, audio, blinds, networking and access — are connected and can respond to each other, to schedules, and to your presence and preferences. The key distinction between a genuine smart home and a collection of smart gadgets is integration: systems working together rather than operating independently through separate apps.

No. Consumer products like smart bulbs and voice assistants are one end of a spectrum. A professionally integrated smart home is a different category — architectural lighting control, whole-home networking, integrated security, climate zoning and scene-based control across every room. The technology disappears into the fabric of the property. You interact with the result, not the components.

The point of a well-designed smart home is that you do not need to understand the technology to use it. Scenes, schedules and automations handle most things without any interaction. When you do interact, it should be through a single, coherent interface — not a different app for every device.

Yes. We design systems that work alongside conventional switching where clients prefer it. Smart keypads and architectural switches can look identical to conventional ones. Most clients end up using the app or scenes for the majority of interactions, but normal switches always remain available.

Scope varies significantly. A focused project and a fully bespoke residence are fundamentally different jobs. Whole-home schemes that combine architectural lighting, extensive shading, cinema and audio, security, access, networking, energy and detailed commissioning can reach six figures. We define the scope around the property first, then provide a fixed written quotation before work begins.

This depends on what you value. Clients most often describe the benefit in terms of daily convenience, comfort and peace of mind rather than financial return. Energy-related benefits depend on the specific systems chosen and how the property is used. We do not make claims about financial returns because those depend on factors outside our control. What we can say is that clients consistently report the experience is better than they expected.

Some platforms include optional subscription services for cloud features, which are not compulsory for core functionality. The systems we install are designed to function locally where possible. There is no Sornione subscription fee. Equipment maintenance is similar to any domestic installation — occasional servicing or component replacement as with any technology over time.

A well-integrated system can increase buyer appeal, particularly in the upper end of the residential market. We would not make a specific claim about property value uplift because this depends on the buyer and the market. What we do observe is that buyers who understand smart home integration consider it a meaningful advantage.

We build systems around Apple Home as our primary customer-facing control interface, supported by Amazon Alexa for voice control. This gives a single, coherent interface across all systems. Clients who prefer Android or other platforms can be accommodated — we discuss this during the design consultation.

Most core functions operate locally — they do not require an internet connection to work. Lighting, heating, security and automation all continue to function normally without internet. Remote access and some notification features require connectivity, but your home continues to operate.

Yes. We design systems with expansion in mind. Additional rooms, devices and integrations can be added after the initial installation. The most cost-effective approach is to run cabling and plan for expansion during the initial installation, but most systems can be extended without major works.

We favour established platforms with strong long-term support histories. No technology choice is risk-free over a long horizon, but platforms like Apple Home, Ubiquiti UniFi and established automation controllers have significant installed bases and strong incentives to maintain compatibility. We design systems to be maintainable rather than dependent on a single product.

This depends on the scope. Wireless systems in occupied properties can often be installed with very limited disruption — often within a day or two, with no decorative making good required. Systems requiring cabling involve more access work. We agree the scope of disruption in advance and document it in the project specification.

We prefer someone to be available for the first visit and for handover, but do not require constant presence throughout. We agree access arrangements as part of the project programme.

Yes, and we encourage this. Early coordination with the architect, electrician and other trades produces better results and reduces cost. We produce documentation suitable for sharing with other professionals on the project.

We assess existing systems as part of the consultation. Many can be integrated into a Sornione system rather than replaced. We will always tell you honestly if existing equipment is not worth retaining.

We provide full written documentation of every system. We are available for questions and assistance after handover. Where systems need adjustment, reconfiguration or expansion, we return to the property. We aim to have a long-term relationship with every property we work on.

We provide guidance on diagnosing and resolving common issues remotely where possible. For hardware failures, we return to the property. Our documentation means that if you ever need a third party to service the system, they have a complete record of what is installed and how it is configured.

Possibly, depending on the systems and the state of the documentation. We assess inherited systems honestly and tell you what is worth retaining, what should be replaced and what the realistic options are.

We are happy to discuss ongoing support arrangements on a case-by-case basis. We do not currently offer a standard maintenance contract, but for larger installations we can agree a support arrangement suited to the specific system.