On every project we work with; regardless of the size, we have to start with a plan. Without that, we are merely throwing something at the wall and hoping it sticks. With the investment that comes with these types of integrated systems, that is not an approach we want to take for our clients.
We will always listen, before we advise.
When we begin to approach a system for a client, we will first spend as much time that is needed to truly understand what that client’s needs are. Once we understand what those needs are and can reassure the client that we know by talking through each one thoroughly, we can then move on to looking at what systems and what products will fulfill those needs. We have worked on every size of a project that is out there. From just a simple project like a TV hang to multi-million-dollar fully integrated estate projects; this approach is always the same for us. When it comes to product lines, we have worked with almost every type and brand of product that is out there. Through our years of experience we have come to learn that they all have their own individual pros and cons. We have also found that over the years, it typically takes more than one manufacture to meet the needs of our clients. This is why we are “Integrators” and not installers. To meet the needs of most clients in today’s market, you have to be able to integrate multiple systems from multiple manufactures to get the desired end experience that was set out for in the beginning. So, if we do not take the time up front to listen, we have no chance at ever succeeding at meeting the client’s expectations, to give them that end experienced that was talked about up front.
Plan, Integrate and then Enjoy!
During the design & planning phase, we will not only sit and listen to what our client’s needs are, but we will also take the time to listen to what their architect’s, interior designer’s, lighting designer’s and landscape designer’s needs are as well. We know that they can provide a wealth of information to help all of the aspects of our client’s project blend together seamlessly and really add that final “Wow factor” that they were expecting from their project. It is very crucial to go through every detail on every system that we might be integrating. There are countless options on every level and this is why our clients have entrusted these designers and then us in the end to help get them to the right choices on every aspect.
When it comes to the implementation of our systems for a client, there typically is a large time delay between the design of a project and then the demonstration of what that end experience is going to be. It’s not the same as being able to watch the house or building be constructed and seeing that tangible experience as it grows from the ground up. We have found that this again is another reason why it is so critical to take the time up front during the design and planning stage to completely set expectations from both our end as the integrator and also the client’s end of what is to be expected in the end. As each member understands more of what the project will be upfront, the greater chance that the end experience will be as expected.
“Plan, Integrate, and then Enjoy.”
This is our goal every day at Building Integrations!
From the basics, to the details.
In the design phase, we will first cover the infrastructure of our client’s project to make sure the backbone of their project is strong, reliable and future proofed to meet the demands of today and for the upcoming years. Then we will go through each subsystem that they have chosen for their project and cover what options are available. Each subsystem will have many options to choose from for performance, style and aesthetics purposes and we will walk our clients through all of those options to help us meet their needs. They all also have certain details that integrate with the other subsystems and we will always walk our clients through what these are and what impacts may come from them. This is why when we stated in our “About” section, the importance of our selection of supported product partners. We know from our past what works well with each other and what does not. A lot of manufactures don’t like to play well with others and they only want clients to purchase their products. These are the types of manufactures that we try and stay away from as much as possible, but we know that sometimes to meet the client’s needs that we may have to work with them. At that time for is, the important factor here is to talk through the possible complications and outcomes that may present themselves from working with that specific product. We are always open to work with products that a client may want, but we will always set an expectation up front on what our experience has been with it in the past. If we haven’t worked with it in the past to have some experience with it, we will spend the time to research and look into the product and talk with our partners to understand how they can be integrated together with each other.
