Re Laing Homes

["Mark Johnson" <poco.loco@xxxxxxx>]

I forwarded Clives views on Laing homes to my Father-in-law who works for Laings. See below for comments

 

>      Mark,
>
>      I know you are a specialist (and expert) in the field of "home
>      automation" and must be disappointed with the lack of "buy-in" by
>      builders in the development of our "homes for the future"! Having
>      personally imported and installed a Canadian internal vacuum system
>      myself (10 years ago) I have been amazed at the slow development of
>      home automation.
>
>      I will pass on this item to Mr Peter T Taylor, Technical Director of
>      Laing Homes, ( he may wish to respond to you or discuss with his
>      colleagues)
>
>      Sean
>
>
> ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
> Subject: Laing Homes
> Author:  "Mark Johnson" <poco.loco@xxxxxxx> at Internet-PO
> Date:    29/11/2000 22:42
>
>
> This recently came up in the UK home automation discussion group I'm in.
>
> Mark
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Clive Dilley" <clive@xxxxxxx>
> To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 11:05 AM
> Subject: [ukha_d] Laing Homes
>
>
> > This weekend I visited the Laing Homes development in Bishop's Stortford,
> > based on information I read in the first issue of Smarthouse. I had
> briefly
> > seen the original concept one at this year's Ideal Home Exhibition and was
> > keen to see a bit more. A quick look at their web site and how Laing are
> > developing new ideas confirmed my desire to see the house of the future
> > (just to get some new ideas).
> >
> > What a huge disappointment !!
> >
> > The 5 bed show house was pleasant enough (not the best shown house I have
> > seen for decor etc.), although I must say I thought quite expensive (half
> a
> > million) for the location. What about the HA equipment ..... basically
> > there was NONE. The only real evidence of something different was a number
> > of RJ45 wall sockets in various locations and a small patch panel.
> >
> > I asked the sales rep about the "Internet House" and was told that this
> was
> > it. Laing do the basic wiring (including wiring for ceiling speakers) and
> > you do the rest. Laing recommend a third party HA installer and you decide
> > how much HA you can afford.
> >
> > I was surprised at the lack of information at the site and the
> > unwillingness of the sales reps to tell me more (I think they really did
> > not know much about it). I was also surprised at the lack of other
> "luxury"
> > items you may expect for this price, that I have seen in cheaper show
> > houses (like central vacuum system or spa bath) as these things are
> > comparatively cheap to install during construction.
> >
> > At first I considered it to be a waste of an afternoon, but then I thought
> > that if a house like the Laing one can sell at half a million with no real
> > technology, what would my house be worth?
> >
> > At some point next year I plan to get my house valued and very interested
> > in how the Estate Agent values the HA system ... has anyone one had any
> had
> > any experience of selling a house with HA equipment - did it add value? or
> > did it put people off?
> >
> > Clive
> >

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