5 Must-Have Smart Upgrades for New Builds

Designing and building a new home is one of the best opportunities to integrate smart technology that enhances the way we live—both now and well into the future. Whether you’re a homeowner dreaming of life with fewer switches and more simplicity, or a builder looking to increase the value of your projects, smart home integrations aren’t just a luxury anymore—they’re quickly becoming a new standard.

At Leios Consulting, we work with forward-thinking builders and tech-curious homeowners across Oklahoma to design and implement smart home systems that are secure, scalable, and—importantly—local-first. Here’s our list of five smart upgrades every new build should consider to ensure your home isn’t just beautiful and functional, but also ready for the future.

1. Hardwired, Local-First Networking Infrastructure

Before you think about smart lighting or voice assistants, start with the backbone of any smart home: the network. In too many homes, network planning is left for the end—often resulting in limited wireless coverage, poor speed, or an overreliance on cloud services. In a new build, you’ve got the perfect opportunity to create a truly robust and secure home network.

Leios recommends a hardwired Ethernet backbone connecting your key rooms, AV equipment, and access points. This supports reliable high-speed connections and keeps your devices local—unlike cloud-based systems that send your data elsewhere before you can use it. With a well-designed network layout, your devices can talk to each other quickly and securely, with responsiveness cloud-based systems can’t match.

Don’t forget the equipment! We help spec and install enterprise-grade routers, switches, and Wi-Fi 6/6E access points that provide seamless coverage and remain reliable for years to come. A solid, local-first network enables every other smart upgrade on this list to perform at its best.

2. Smart Lighting That’s Elegant, Reliable, and Offline-Ready

Smart lighting is often one of the first things homeowners think of when planning automation upgrades. But not all systems are created equal. App-connected bulbs that rely on remote servers can create delays or even fail outright if your internet drops. For new builds, we recommend smart lighting systems that use hardwired or local wireless protocols like Z-Wave, Zigbee, or Matter—with a local controller to tie it all together.

With smart switches or dimmers installed during the electrical rough-in, lighting becomes part of the home itself—not tacked on afterward. Homeowners can set scenes or schedules (bright wake-up lights, relaxing evening modes, vacation simulation lighting) or trigger lights using motion sensors or door sensors. All of this can be programmed to work without internet access, keeping your home responsive no matter what’s happening outside.

We work with builders to plan switch layouts and recommend control systems from U.S.-based manufacturers that prioritize privacy and long-term support.

3. Climate Control That’s Smarter Than a Thermostat

A standard programmable thermostat is no longer the peak of home efficiency. With zoned HVAC systems and smart controllers, you can drastically improve comfort and reduce energy usage—all while adapting to real world behavior instead of relying on static schedules.

We recommend smart thermostats that integrate with motion sensors, occupancy detectors, and window sensors—adjusting temperatures based on whether someone’s actually in the room. Unlike common cloud-based thermostats that send data to outside servers, we install systems that keep your data private and allow automation rules to run entirely within your home network.

In a new build, planning ahead for zoned heating and cooling pays dividends. Whether it’s a two-story home or one with a mix of living and guest areas, zoning enables more control and efficiency—and it allows your smart system to focus on comfort where it matters most.

4. Distributed Audio and Media Control

From background music in the kitchen to movie nights in the media room, homes designed with whole-house audio in mind provide a next-level living experience. And in a new build, you can run dedicated in-wall speaker wiring, centralize your media equipment, and neatly hide the tech while maximizing performance.

We help builders and homeowners design distributed audio and visual systems powered by local controllers and amplifiers—no smart TVs phoning home, no always-on microphones, and no apps that stop working when the manufacturer goes out of business. Using open-source interfaces and home automation platforms, you can control media with customizable wall panels, smartphones, or even voice assistants—set up to operate locally without sending every command through the internet.

Imagine walking into your living room and your favorite playlist fades in at a comfortable volume—or switching all your sources to movie mode with a single focus button. It’s possible, and easier than ever to integrate from the blueprint stage.

5. Access Control and Surveillance with Ownership in Mind

Security is a growing concern for homeowners, but handing your front door access or driveway footage over to a cloud provider shouldn’t be the only option. With a new build, you can install local-first access control and surveillance systems that put ownership and data privacy back in your hands.

We recommend POE (Power-over-Ethernet) cameras connected to an on-site NVR (Network Video Recorder), inside a smart network. No fees. No missing footage. And no servers watching what your cameras watch. Want to check in remotely? Sure—but only through secure, encrypted peer-to-peer systems that don’t send it all to a third party.

Similarly, a smart door lock integrated into your local automation system can allow for scheduled or sensor-triggered locking, temporary codes for contractors, and real-time updates—all while keeping control within your home network. These are features cloud systems promise, but done our way, they’re faster, more secure, and resilient even when offline.

Build It Smart from the Start

Each of these five upgrades—networking, lighting, climate, media, and security—forms part of a home that’s truly smart. The best part? When built into the structure from day one, they require less hardware, less fuss, and give more flexibility in layout, design, and function.

At Leios, we believe in technology that empowers homeowners while respecting privacy and control. We partner with Oklahoma builders, architects, and homeowners to integrate smart tech without compromising the feel and flow of a well-designed home. Whether you’re exploring draft plans or already in the framing stage, we can help craft a system that fits how your clients live today—and how they’ll live tomorrow.

Ready to future-proof your build? Let’s talk about smart upgrades that match your vision.

5 Must-Have Smart Upgrades for New Builds