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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.
Smart home automation projects in Massachusetts typically fall into three investment tiers. Entry-level systems — a single room or a focused technology like Lutron lighting or a Sonos audio setup — start at $5,000–$15,000. Mid-range whole-home automation with Control4 or Crestron, integrated lighting, climate, and a home theater typically runs $30,000–$75,000. Comprehensive luxury estates with multiple AV zones, Lutron HomeWorks lighting throughout, outdoor systems, and 24/7 managed services run $75,000–$200,000+. Commercial projects — conference rooms, digital signage, IT infrastructure — are scoped separately; a single conference room typically starts at $8,000–$15,000. All pricing is fixed-fee, not hourly — you receive a detailed proposal with itemized equipment, labor, programming, and training costs before any work begins. We do not charge for initial consultations or preliminary proposals.
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 install three tiers of professional smart home platforms. For whole-home automation, we specialize in Control4 (the most widely deployed professional system in New England), Crestron (enterprise-grade, ideal for complex multi-zone estates), and Savant (Apple-native, popular in luxury residential). For lighting control, we install the full Lutron line — Caséta for entry-level, RA2 Select for mid-range, RadioRA 3 for larger homes, and HomeWorks QS for whole-estate installations. For voice-first and privacy-conscious clients, we install Josh.ai, which processes commands locally without sending audio to the cloud — particularly popular in Dover, Weston, and Sherborn. All systems integrate lighting, climate, security, audio/video, motorized shades, and door locks into a single interface accessible from touchscreens, keypads, and mobile apps. We recommend the right tier based on your home size, lifestyle, and long-term goals — not the most expensive option.
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 scope and whether your home is new construction or a retrofit. A focused system — a single Control4 room, a Lutron lighting zone, or a Sonos whole-home audio setup — typically installs in 1–3 days. A full whole-home automation system with lighting, climate, security, audio, and video integration takes 1–2 weeks for installation plus 2–5 additional days of programming and fine-tuning. Large estate projects or new construction finish-phase installations run 3–6 weeks from start to sign-off. Equipment lead times currently run 2–6 weeks for most professional-grade gear, so total project timelines from contract signing to completion typically range from 4–10 weeks depending on scope. We provide a detailed project schedule during the proposal phase — with a pre-installation walkthrough, installation window dates, programming days, and a final training session.
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 optimized for entertainment but not exclusively dedicated to it — typically featuring a large-format TV (75"–98"), a 5.1 or 5.1.2 surround sound system, and comfortable seating arranged for viewing. Windows, ambient light, and other uses (office, playroom) are all compatible with a media room. Media rooms typically run $15,000–$45,000. A dedicated home theater is purpose-built and acoustically isolated — no windows, dark walls, acoustically treated surfaces, tiered recliner seating, a 4K projection system on a 110"–150"+ screen, and a 7.1.4 or 9.1.4 Dolby Atmos audio system. The goal is a cinematic experience that outperforms any commercial theater. Dedicated theaters start at $50,000 and run $100,000–$200,000+ for premium builds. The right choice depends on your available space, budget, and how you actually use the room. We'll tell you honestly which makes sense for your home — we design both.
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
The average Greater Boston smart home today has 60–120 connected devices — streaming TVs, security cameras, smart thermostats, door locks, voice assistants, tablets, phones, and smart home controllers — but consumer ISP routers are tested against 20–30 simultaneous clients before performance degrades. Professional networking solves this at every layer. We design and install enterprise-grade WiFi 7 access points (Ubiquiti, Cisco Meraki, or Aruba) that handle hundreds of clients simultaneously, with seamless roaming so your phone never drops as you move between rooms. We segment your network into separate VLANs — smart home devices, security cameras, and personal devices are isolated from each other, which protects privacy and limits the blast radius of any compromise. We add Quality of Service (QoS) rules that prioritize video conferencing and 4K streaming over background device traffic. For larger homes, we include a structured cabling backbone of Cat6A Ethernet that ensures rock-solid reliability for critical devices. The result is a network that works invisibly — you only notice it when you visit someone with a consumer router.
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 is any display system — single screens, multi-screen walls, or LED video walls — that shows dynamic, remotely managed content instead of static printed materials. The practical benefit is that you can update messaging instantly from any browser without printing costs, coordination delays, or physical visits to every location. For a restaurant, this means daily menu changes and promotional pricing that update automatically at scheduled times. For a corporate lobby, it means live company announcements, visitor wayfinding, and brand content. For a healthcare facility, it means queue management and patient education that the front desk controls from a tablet. Common applications we install in Greater Boston: retail stores, restaurant chains, corporate headquarters lobbies, conference room directories, educational campuses, and event venues. We supply the hardware (commercial-grade displays rated for 16–18 hours daily), content management software with multi-user access, installation, network integration, and staff training. Single-display systems start at $3,000–$5,000 installed. Multi-zone or video wall systems scale from $10,000 to $100,000+ depending on display count and LED resolution.
New Construction
Ideally at the architectural design phase — before construction documents are finalized, and certainly before framing begins. The earlier we join a project, the more value we deliver. During design we coordinate with your architect to locate the central equipment room, plan conduit routes, and ensure adequate power and cooling for technology equipment. During framing we install all low-voltage rough-in: ethernet, speaker wire, HDMI fiber, security conduit, and shade pocket blocking. This is the phase where infrastructure that would cost $500 to add takes $5,000 to retrofit after drywall. We can join a project at any phase — we've completed finish-phase installs and retrofits on occupied homes — but the 40–70% cost savings from pre-construction planning is real. Builder clients get priority scheduling, 24–48 hour estimate turnaround, and a dedicated account manager who attends coordination meetings and submits installation drawings that satisfy permit requirements.
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.
At minimum, every new construction project should include structured cabling (Cat6A to every room and exterior camera location), a central equipment rack with dedicated 20A circuits and proper ventilation, and conduit sleeves through all firewalls and floors for future expansion. Beyond the baseline, the systems that deliver the best return on a new build are: Lutron lighting control infrastructure (wire every switch location with neutral wire to support any future dimmer), whole-home audio pre-wire (speaker wire rough-in is $800–$1,500 per zone; adding it post-drywall costs $3,000–$6,000 per zone), home theater rough-in (HDMI fiber, power, speaker locations, projection mount blocking), motorized shade wiring (most clients add motorized shades later; pre-wire costs $50 per window, retrofit costs $500+), and doorbell/intercom infrastructure. We provide a tiered recommendation — must-have, should-have, and future-ready — based on your budget and floor plan. The goal is to preserve optionality without over-engineering the rough-in.
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.