To-The-Trade-S2E47-The business of home tech for design pros with Katye McGregor Bennett

To-The-Trade Show Summary:

Katye McGregor Bennett joins Laurie Laizure and Nile Johnson to shift the focus from home tech to experience, enabling designers to lead with confidence and create profit. This episode of To-The-Trade provides practical advice for incorporating innovative technology into elegant spaces without becoming a source of tech support. First, define the partner: an integrator, the expert who designs and installs behind-the-wall systems, including lighting, audio, networking, security, and more. Ideally, this expert should be involved before the drywall is installed, so the home functions as smoothly as it looks.

Katye emphasizes that clients don’t want technology itself; they like how it feels, lights that set the mood, shades that control heat and glare, and responsive environments. Sensors are the immediate solution, reading behavior and blending preferences automatically, a familiar experience in hotels that is finally coming home. Designers’ biggest fear, being responsible when something breaks, is addressed through the right integrator relationship and a paid service plan with remote monitoring. The aim is to make “tech support” the responsibility of the integrator so that you can remain the client’s trusted guide.

Where to start on any project? Begin with the network, the digital foundation of the home. A well-designed network reduces glitches, supports streaming and control, and future-proofs for heavier use when everyone is home. Power quality and energy management are also important considerations. A stressed grid manifests as flickering lights and crashed systems, presenting problems that an integrator can diagnose in the mechanical room and resolve with innovative power strategies.

To find qualified partners, Katye directs designers to the Home Technology Association’s Integrator Finder, which offers a free technology assessment form and budget calculator tools. These tools can be used to initiate the conversation and set realistic expectations. Designers can mitigate the risk of adoption by testing technology in their own homes or studios. Even if you phase it, start with the network, then add categories like motorized shades, displays, and wellness systems.

The payoff: more innovative, healthier spaces and a stronger business. From sleep quality and wellness routines to aging in place and voice control, design outcomes improve when technology is integrated early. Revenue grows when you position and manage it like any other scope. The episode closes with tangible steps: curate two to four integrator relationships, learn the shared language, and use HTA tools to scope and price. Start small, build confidence, serve the client, and maintain healthy margins.