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Build a Higher Profit Margin With Modern Intercoms
By Lesley Boyd
 While more than two-thirds of builders across the country offer intercom systems as upgrade options, according to the Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA) sixth annual “State of the Builder Technology Market Study,” many are offering older legacy systems and missing out on opportunities to increase their profit margin with today’s modern systems.
Today’s systems range from truly simple "voice only" communications to video communications incorporating a range of integrated safety, security and entertainment capabilities.
“Legacy systems were designed to be both an intercom and multi-room audio system,” said Scott Sylvester, of Australia-based LeisureTech Electronics, a provider of custom audio equipment, accessories and audio video solutions. “They had sub-par speaker systems, the audio quality was poor and the home owner’s intercom and stereo canceled each other out. Not only that, the energy usage was enormous and if one component broke, the entire system went down.”
Primarily intended as a point-to-point communication device, the modern intercom can be utilized as a baby monitor. It can be coupled with security cameras to monitor a home's entry points or to watch children in the pool and backyard.
“Today’s intercoms offer a wider range of not only capability, but also affordability,” Sylvester continued. “Because the systems are modular and intended to utilize Cat5 cabling, home buyers can choose how many rooms they would like to connect and it doesn’t cost the builder much more in labor costs to connect them to existing or planned structured wiring.”
“As an added bonus, security cameras can be integrated with the intercom system to allow the home owner to not only speak with a visitor at the front door, but see who it is before deciding to let them in.”
Not only are today’s systems more adaptable and capable, they also are more attractive. Manufacturers today have not only improved the audio components, they have also developed sleek new designs that seamlessly meld with the interior décor of the home with plates around the intercoms intended to mimic those around light switches, according to Shawn Smith, president of S&S Electric, an electronic systems contractor (ESC) based in Oldsmar, Fla.
“Home buyers, especially those with children, are not only interested in a seamless integration with their décor, they are also intrigued with the capability of keeping an eye on their children no matter where they are around the home,” Smith said.
Production home builder M/I Homes Tampa teamed up with S&S Electric to integrate an intercom system with multi-room audio to produce some pleasing, security-oriented results in Easton Park, the builder’s single-family home community in Tampa, Fla.
“When the doorbell rings or the intercom is activated, it will mute the audio throughout the home,” said Smith.
According to Smith, M/I Homes was about to sell intercom systems to 25% of its home owners in the 250-home community because they were informed about their advantages during initial meetings with the S&S design team.
“A qualified electronic systems contractor (ESC) should be involved in the design phase to interview the home buyer about their lifestyle needs and to determine whether or not an intercom system is right for them and which components would be the best fit for their lifestyles,” said Dave Treloar, sales manager for S&S Electric. “With a 40% profit margin for builders, they can’t afford to ignore this versatile upgrade.”
Intercom Quick Facts:
- Today’s intercom systems are modular, complete with individual amps and parts that allow for easy service access; most contain built-in diagnostic systems.
- Intercom systems offer a higher energy efficiency rating over legacy intercoms due to the tiny amps located 1 inch from the speakers inside each intercom.
- Intercom systems can be used to remotely unlock the front door or gate for guests.
- Intercom systems can double as a baby monitor, allowing the home owner to listen in on their child from any other room in the house.
- Intercoms can be installed using Cat5 cabling, which is readily available and less expensive than legacy system wiring.
- Modern Intercoms are stand-alone products designed to handle point-to-point communication; however, they are intended to integrate with multi-room audio (MRA) products.
Lesley Boyd is a freelance writer based in Orlando who writes about home technology. For more information, e-mail Boyd.
Photo courtesy of S&S Electric.
 Information About Home Technology Available From HTA
The Home Technology Alliance (HTA) is a partnership between NAHB and the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) that was formed to position the housing industry to effectively meet the growing home buyer demand for home technology and provide maximum return on investment in the new home building and remodeling process.
For more information, visit www.nahb.org/HTA.
 CEDIA: A Source for Experienced ESCs
The Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) is a founding sponsor in the Home Technology Alliance and an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home.
CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this field. CEDIA serves as a source for Electronic Systems Contractors (ESCs).
For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s Web site at www.cedia.org. To find an ESC, click here.
The Custom Electronic Design Installation Association (CEDIA) is a founding sponsor in the Home Technology Alliance and an international trade association of companies that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for the home.
CEDIA members are established and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience in this field. CEDIA serves as a source for Electronic Systems Contractors (ESCs).
For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s Web site at www.cedia.org. To find an ESC, click here.
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