What typically happens when there is no low-voltage guide for the homeowner when a service contractor is called?

This last weekend I was called out to assist a client with their technical transition from one home to another.  To set the stage, the client had just sold their home and had various electronics planned for the transition.  The transition included both internet and satellite services, a surround sound system and a full home computer network, both wired and wireless.  They were told by their Real Estate agent that the home they were moving into was pre-wired for telephone, cable television, satellite services, computer network, and surround sound.

The low voltage CAEN, a.k.a. the smart box or structured panel, which is located in a bedroom walk-in-closet, is the single source where many of these wires end for a connection.  Think back to the old telephone days. You would call the operator and the operator would put a cable into a connection point connecting the call.  This is essentially what this box does for the whole house in regards to these systems.  In this box all the data cables for the computer network had connections on them and all the telephone cables were also ready for service.  However, the cable and satellite cables were left without connectors.  These smart boxes typically come with an electrical outlet so you can power a device inside the enclosure.  This one, however, had but an opening for power that was not finished -- something a builder can easily overlook during a final walk-through.

The satellite contractor showed up, looked at the outside of the house and found a south facing wall for attaching the dish.  They also had the job of looking for where they would bring the satelitte service into the house.  He then came into the house and looked at the rooms in which the client wanted to watch television and then went back to the smart box.  The smart box had many cables available for various services as mentioned before, and in today's homes should have a set of at least five for satellite installation. 

The satellite technician told me that the five RG6 coax cables labeled SAT (satellite) in the smart box were actually the two provided out by the gas meter for cable television.  "Wow, really?" I said, “How do five cables become two?"  He answered, "This is how they do it on the million dollar homes."   At this point I took out the DASH testing equipment we use to certify homes and quickly determined that the two he was referring to are set up for cable TV and labeled DMARK (short for the demarcation point) in the smart box not SAT.  There are still 5 cables labeled SAT which should be used for his connections and I insisted that he use those since the client may want to have cable television or cable internet service as well. 

The huffs and puffs of the contractor began as he knew this meant more work.  Keep in mind that satellite contractors get paid by the job, not by the hour.  So their mentality is "get in and get out".  He did not like that I was asking him to do it right.

Now, if this was a DASH Scored home the Satellite contractor (or any technology based contractor for that matter) would have had all the information needed to "get in and get out " and doing it right at the same time.  The consumer should not have to call the Builder, Realtor, or the Low-voltage  dealer to know where things are on the weekend before wanting service.  This should be part of the solution offered to the homeowner on purchase.  The DASH Score is confidence and peace of mind for consumers and builders both.  Everybody wins!  

Do you have a horror story?  Feel free to share or e-mail me.  The best one entered will get a special prize from Digital Authority!

Do I have it wrong? Feel free to comment (below). This is an open forum and all home related technology discussions are welcome and encouraged. If you have a question or would like more information on any of the topics discussed in this blog, email me- mike@mydigitalauthority.com 

Dont become a technology hostage.  We help those with technophobia to get technocozy.  Get exactly the technology you need with help from Digital Authority.   Boise Idaho's first unbiasd and unaligned Home Technology Consultants- 

Fluent in all techno-speak concerning: Home Networks, Home theaters, media rooms, whole-house audio, home healthcare systems, lighting and smart home automation and control.