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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about smart home automation, audio visual systems, networking, security, and our services. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us for personalized assistance.
General
We serve all of Massachusetts including Greater Boston, Metro West, North Shore, South Shore, Cape Cod, and Worcester County. We also work with clients in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the New York metro area for larger projects. Our main office is located in Framingham, MA.
Khan Design was founded in 2019 and has rapidly grown to become one of the premier technology integration firms in the Northeast. Our team brings decades of combined experience in audio visual integration, smart home automation, and IT services.
Yes! We provide complimentary consultations for all residential and commercial projects. During the consultation, we assess your needs, discuss technology options, and provide preliminary recommendations. There is no obligation, and we can typically schedule consultations within 2-3 business days.
Our rates vary based on project scope and complexity. Residential smart home projects typically start around $15,000-30,000 for basic automation, while comprehensive luxury installations range from $50,000-200,000+. Commercial projects are quoted based on specific requirements. We provide detailed, transparent proposals for all work.
Yes, we provide comprehensive warranties on both equipment and installation labor. Equipment carries manufacturer warranties (typically 1-5 years depending on the product), and our installation labor is warranted for 2 years. We also offer extended service plans and proactive maintenance contracts for ongoing support.
Smart Home
We specialize in Control4, Crestron, and Savant for whole-home automation. For lighting control, we install Lutron (Caséta, RA2 Select, RadioRA 3, and HomeWorks). We also integrate popular consumer platforms like Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. Our systems can control lighting, climate, security, audio/video, shades, and more from a single interface.
Yes! We excel at integrating disparate smart home devices into a unified system. Whether you have existing Philips Hue lights, Nest thermostats, Ring doorbells, or Sonos speakers, we can bring everything together into a cohesive, easy-to-use system. We support hundreds of third-party integrations.
Timeline depends on project scope. A basic lighting control or audio system can be installed in 1-3 days. A whole-home automation system typically takes 1-2 weeks for installation and programming. Larger projects with extensive integration may take 3-4 weeks. We provide detailed project timelines during the proposal phase.
For comprehensive lighting control, yes - we typically replace standard switches with smart switches from Lutron or other manufacturers. However, the switches are much more capable (dimming, scenes, scheduling, voice control) and will match your home's aesthetic. We offer many finishes and styles to complement any décor.
Our professionally installed smart home systems are designed with local control capabilities. Core functions like lighting, climate, and security will continue to work even without internet connectivity. Only cloud-dependent features (remote access, voice assistants, streaming services) require internet. Critical systems maintain functionality during outages.
Home Theater
A media room is a multi-purpose space with a large TV and surround sound, often with ambient lighting and windows. A dedicated home theater is purpose-built for the ultimate movie experience, with acoustically treated walls, light control, tiered seating, projection systems, and professional audio. Media rooms start around $15,000-40,000, while dedicated theaters typically range from $50,000-150,000+.
For dedicated theaters, projectors provide the most immersive cinema experience with screen sizes from 100"-150"+ and true 4K HDR quality. For media rooms or spaces with ambient light, large-format TVs (75"-98") offer excellent brightness and image quality. We help you choose based on room conditions, viewing distance, and budget. Many clients opt for both - a large TV for casual viewing and a projector for movies.
We typically recommend 7.1.4 or 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos systems for dedicated theaters, featuring in-wall or in-ceiling speakers for clean aesthetics and overhead sound effects. Brands like KEF, Bowers & Wilkins, Paradigm, and Triad offer exceptional performance. For media rooms, 5.1 or 5.1.2 systems provide excellent sound quality. We custom-calibrate every system for optimal performance in your specific space.
Networking
Consumer-grade routers from ISPs often can't handle the demands of modern smart homes with dozens of connected devices. Professional networking provides: reliable whole-home WiFi coverage, network security, device prioritization (QoS), guest network isolation, and scalability. Our enterprise-grade solutions from Ubiquiti, Cisco, or Aruba ensure your network can handle 4K streaming, video conferencing, security cameras, and smart home devices simultaneously without performance degradation.
Structured cabling is the professional installation of Cat6 or Cat6A ethernet cables throughout your home or business, terminated in a central network rack. It provides the fastest, most reliable connectivity for devices like computers, TVs, access points, and security cameras. While WiFi is convenient, wired connections offer superior speed and reliability for stationary devices. We strongly recommend structured cabling during construction or renovation.
We perform professional WiFi site surveys using specialized tools to map signal strength and identify dead zones. Based on the survey, we strategically place enterprise-grade access points (typically ceiling-mounted) throughout your home. Our systems use controller-based management for seamless roaming between access points. Most homes need 2-4 access points; larger estates may require 6-10+.
Security
We install professional IP cameras from manufacturers like Axis, Hanwha (Samsung), and Ubiquiti. These provide superior image quality (4K resolution), night vision, motion detection, and weatherproofing. Unlike consumer cameras, professional systems include local storage (NVR), no monthly cloud fees, and integration with smart home systems. Cameras can trigger lighting, send notifications, and integrate with access control.
Yes, all our security camera systems include secure remote viewing via mobile apps (iOS/Android) and web browsers. You can view live feeds, review recorded footage, receive motion alerts, and control PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras from anywhere. We configure secure access using VPNs or encrypted cloud connections to protect your privacy.
Yes, we work with all major alarm monitoring companies including ADT, Honeywell, DSC, and Qolsys. We can integrate alarm systems with smart home automation for features like automatic door locking, lighting responses to alarms, and unified control. For commercial properties, we also install access control systems with card readers, intercoms, and visitor management.
Commercial
We design and install professional conference rooms featuring Zoom Rooms, Microsoft Teams Rooms, Cisco Webex, and Google Meet hardware. Systems include high-quality PTZ cameras, ceiling microphones or tabletop speakerphones, wireless presentation, and simple touch-panel control. We ensure optimal camera framing, audio quality, and lighting for professional video calls. Solutions range from small huddle rooms ($8,000-15,000) to large boardrooms ($30,000-75,000+).
Absolutely! We provide comprehensive planning and installation for office relocations and renovations. Services include network infrastructure design, structured cabling installation, WiFi deployment, conference room setup, digital signage, access control, and security cameras. We coordinate with your IT team, architects, and general contractors to ensure seamless technology integration and minimal business disruption.
Yes, our managed IT services include 24/7 network monitoring, EDR (endpoint detection & response) security, helpdesk support, cloud services management, backup solutions, and proactive maintenance. We offer tiered support plans starting at $150/user/month. Services include patch management, security updates, software licensing, and strategic IT planning. Perfect for businesses wanting enterprise-grade IT without hiring full-time staff.
Digital signage uses displays or video walls to show dynamic content like menus, promotions, wayfinding, news, or branded messaging. Benefits include: easy content updates, attention-grabbing motion graphics, scheduled messaging, and reduced printing costs. Common applications: retail stores, restaurants, corporate lobbies, healthcare facilities, educational institutions. We provide hardware, content management software, installation, and training. Systems start around $3,000-5,000 per display.
New Construction
Ideally during the architectural design phase, before construction begins. Early involvement allows us to coordinate infrastructure requirements with architects, ensure proper conduit placement, plan equipment locations, and avoid costly change orders. We can join projects at any phase, but pre-construction planning delivers the best results and cost savings of 40-70% compared to retrofitting.
A pre-wire includes all cabling installed during construction before drywall goes up. This includes: ethernet cables for network and cameras, speaker wire for whole-home audio, HDMI or fiber for video distribution, security system wiring, power conditioning conduits, and low voltage pathways. We provide detailed drawings, coordinate with electricians and other trades, and label everything for easy identification during finish work.
Yes! We have a dedicated builder partner program offering preferred pricing, priority scheduling, dedicated account management, and expedited estimates (24-48 hours). We attend coordination meetings, provide detailed installation drawings, and work seamlessly with general contractors, electricians, HVAC contractors, and other trades. Many builders consider us an extension of their team.
Essential systems include: structured cabling (Cat6A) for network infrastructure, security camera conduits, whole-home audio speaker locations, home theater pre-wire, doorbell and intercom wiring, smart lighting control infrastructure, motorized shade wiring, and central equipment rack location. We help prioritize based on your budget and lifestyle needs. Planning for future expandability is crucial during construction when walls are open.
Pricing
We provide detailed fixed-price proposals for all projects. After an initial consultation, we design a system tailored to your needs and budget, then provide a comprehensive quote including equipment, labor, programming, and training. Our proposals clearly itemize costs so you understand exactly what you're getting. We don't charge hourly rates - you'll know the total investment upfront. Payment schedules are typically: 50% deposit, 40% at substantial completion, 10% final upon your approval.
Yes, we partner with financing companies that specialize in home improvement and technology projects. Financing is available for projects over $10,000 with terms from 12-84 months and competitive rates. We can provide financing information during the proposal phase. Many clients also use home equity lines of credit (HELOC) for technology improvements.
Our process: (1) Free consultation to understand your needs, (2) System design and detailed proposal, (3) Contract signing and deposit, (4) Pre-installation planning and equipment ordering, (5) Professional installation by certified technicians, (6) System programming and configuration, (7) Comprehensive training for you and your family/staff, (8) Final walkthrough and documentation, (9) Ongoing support and service. Most projects from contract to completion take 4-8 weeks depending on complexity and equipment lead times.
Still Have Questions?
Our team is ready to help! Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your specific needs and get personalized recommendations for your home or business.