Need to make a decision HAI or ELK

[foolama]

First of all i would like to thank everybody for the inputs on this forum.
I am new to HA area but have been reading and gathering some information from this forum.

I am building a new 5500+ sq ft home in Orlando Florida area.
My plan is to control Security, Lighting, HVAC via Home Automation modules
As per the pre-wiring guide in the WIKI, i am getting the house wired for future needs also.

I need assistance in choosing the base HA platform and two choices are ELK and HAI.

I am more inclined towards HAI but had some questions that were indirectly answered before but wanted to clarify further.

I am planning to get initial hardware setup done by local HAI dealer. Same dealer will do initial programming.
If i want to add more modules in future am i tied up with same dealer to install the hardware and configure the software ?
I see couple of websites selling PC Access dealer version can i buy it directly without dealer license etc ?
I am software engineer by profession, If i buy PC Access dealer version will i be able add stuff myself or i am tied to same local dealer ?
The reason i am asking his as these days dealers are going out of business fast so i want to be able to manage this HAI system in future.

Please assist....Any tips/advice will be greatly appreciated

 

[JonW]

You'll have no problem getting and using the dealer version software. You should just talk to the installer up front and tell him that you want to be able to tweak and manage the system yourself after installation. As long as you have the master/installer code, you can change anything you want. You should also ask him to give you the "PCA" file used for downloading to the panel. While it's not absolutely necessary to get this, it will give you a much easier place to start for doing your own configuration and programming.

 

[nexus99]

I did exactly what you propose. I had the initial install done by a local company and I have been adding everything else since. I have done all the UPB and lights myself. And I am gearing up to add HVAC as soon as HAI releases their Zingbee (or ethernet) version of the Omnistat2.

You should be able to snag the programming directly from the panel if the integrator doesn't give you a copy. Thats what I did when I bought PC Access Dealer.

And wow, 5500 sq feet. Do you have an indoor basketball court?

Make sure you put lots of CAT6 in.
And without a doubt you will want to do whole home audio at some point. So consider that.

 

[foolama]

Thank you JonW and nexus99 for your valuable feedback. I really appreciate it.

 

[Jrock]

As JonW said, you will need the installer code to make most changes so make sure you have an agreement upfront with the contractor for them to give it to you or have them set it to a code you choose. I have read that some contractors do not like to give up the installer code because then you are not locked into using them for upgrades and/or maintenance.

From my understanding, your only other option is to send the board back to HAI for them to do a master reset (which will wipe out all programing) if you do not have the installer code or the contractor will not give it to you.

 

[JonW]

As JonW said, you will need the installer code to make most changes so make sure you have an agreement upfront with the contractor for them to give it to you or have them set it to a code you choose. I have read that some contractors do not like to give up the installer code because then you are not locked into using them for upgrades and/or maintenance.

From my understanding, your only other option is to send the board back to HAI for them to do a master reset (which will wipe out all programing) if you do not have the installer code or the contractor will not give it to you.

There's absolutely no way the installer can deny giving you the code. You own the system. In the alarm industry, it might be common that they don't give out the master code, but that's because they own the equipment and you are paying for it monthly over a term committment. That's not usually the arrangement for an HAI system.

 

[Neurorad]

If the installer doesn't want to give the code, you could take him to court. But who wants to go through that?

You need to agree with the installer up front, before he does anything. He may want to use his monitoring company for 3 years, or something like that, as part of the agreement - don't be surprised, that's how he feeds his family. He'll likely charge more for the install if he can't use his monitoring company - I would too.

 

[Steve]

It's not just that, its support too. If an installer puts in a system and offers support for a time period, he does not want you mucking around in there. You could probably arrange a deal with someone for strictly the install with no support or anything. Some installers may be willing to do that while times are tough.

 

[nexus99]

It's not just that, its support too. If an installer puts in a system and offers support for a time period, he does not want you mucking around in there. You could probably arrange a deal with someone for strictly the install with no support or anything. Some installers may be willing to do that while times are tough.

Aren't the codes all 4 digit numbers? If so you can just figure it out.

If its 5 digits... well, that might take a while.

Better yet just use an installer that will give you the code.

 

[apostolakisl]

Well that may be doable, but it is still 10,000 possibilities with 4 digits. It would take a lot patience.

 

[pete_c]

I had the house (teardown) in FL pre-wired by a local alarm company approximately 8 years ago. It was part of the price of the total contruction of the home. Last year / year before I called a number of local alarm companies for quotes to finish installation. (panel, sensors and service). My estimates ranged in price from approximately $3500 to $5500 plus the monthly service fee. I asked each vendor about installation of an automation panel. Half said they would do it and the other half said they would not. Initially for a quick timeframe leaned toward just having it finished. I decided later to do it myself. I did it in a few "pieces" first validating all wiring zone by zone. The cables were labeled and that helped me some. That was only one visit maybe two days in a 2 week period of time that I was there. In the MW purchased a Panel / keypads. I programmed it using created documentation and basing it on what I had already installed in my home in the MW. I shipped the setup to FL and on my next visit installed panel and connected zones one by one testing as I was installing sensors. This took about 5 days out of two weeks to install the panel, test it and connect it to a service.

Typically though an alarm company would not provide your access to the panel because of their maintainance of said panel / guarantee of their work etc. that I know of. It is their business.

That's me though and I like to do things like this.