Buying a Control4 Home: Transitioning a Previously-Owned System

According to ABC News, the housing market is “roaring back to life.” That’s been evident here in Salt Lake. Once dormant construction sites are bustling and frames are flying up almost overnight. “For Sale” signs are popping up everywhere you turn, and “Sold” signs appear shockingly soon after.

If you’re on the market for a new home and you are lucky enough to purchase a home with a Control4 system already installed, make sure you find out the following information from the current owner to make it a smooth transition. Some owners may not know much about their system because it just works or there may be other circumstances at play, so you need to make sure you ask the right questions.

1. Who is the Control4 Dealer they use and what is their contact information?
   Not only should they be able to give you important information about the system, you’ll also need their help to set up your MyControl4 account and determine whether you want to transfer the current settings (called the “project”) or build your experience from scratch based on how you live. The dealer will also provide tech support and help with any upgrades down the road. You might want to ask them if they have support contracts or what their fees are so you’re prepared.


2. When was the system installed?
   This will give you an idea of how much updating you might want or need to do. As with any technology, things evolve fast at Control4 and in the electronics world. If the current homeowner hasn’t done much upgrading, you might want to have a dealer come in and give you a run-down on what it would take to get you all the latest and greatest features and functionality so you can decide what you want to do.


3. What features do they have in their Control4 system?
   One of the great things about Control4 is its flexibility, which means you can customize it to suit your needs. That also means each system is unique so you’ll want to know if they have lighting control, what kind of audio and video setup they have, if security is integrated with door locks and sensors, and if the HVAC system is set up. If the owner doesn’t know all the details (to many, it’s just magic!), make sure you get in touch with the dealer as soon as possible.


4. Are they taking any of the equipment?
   Although the owner should have noted whether the automation system was an inclusion or exclusion in the sale of the house, you’ll want to make sure you know if they’re planning to take any of the peripherals, like remotes or touch screens, with them.


5. Don’t ask for a user manual.
   You can, but once the system is transferred over and you personalize it for you, their manual won’t be of much use. You can download general user documentation from the www.control4.com website (Resources) and check our YouTube channel for tips and tricks.


6. Get your Internet service and wireless network working as soon as possible.
   No matter what control functions you see when you walk through the house the first time or two, you should expect that by the time you get the keys and start moving in, your Control4 system will be in some state of dysfunction. This is due to the fact that the previous owner has likely shut off the Internet connection to the house and has probably taken their wireless equipment to the new home. Many of the functions of Control4 are dependent on the home network, so once you’re back online and your dealer has transferred the system for you, you’ll be back in business.


7. Go online and learn!
   There are a lot of things you can do with your Control4 system, such as adding and changing tablets or smartphones to control your home. (Make sure you get a 4Sight subscription from your dealer so you can enjoy Anywhere Access!) You can learn how to set favorites, set up playlists for Rhapsody and TuneIn, and customize your lighting scenes on your own.

 

If you have purchased a home with Control4 in it and you didn’t get all of your questions answered—or any of them—you should contact a local Control4 dealer. They will be able to give you the best evaluation of your system and help make sure you’re enjoying all the benefits. However, if you still have questions or need help just email us at [email protected] and we’ll get you taken care of. Enjoy!

Selling your Control4 home? Check out:
Selling a Control4 Home: Transitioning your System to a New Owner