Programming Your Home

Justifying the Investment

Let’s be honest. Spending more money on parts that may or may not work well together versus buying a cheaper purpose-built device that meets or exceeds the functionality of a homegrown solution is simply not a good investment. Sure, there may be some value derived from the knowledge gained from the design experience, the pleasure of building the solution, and the satisfaction of seeing your creation come to life. But justifying such an investment to a budget-conscious spouse, for example, may deflate whatever gains you have made in the satisfaction department.

When considering any new design approach, strive for a scenario where you will maximize your time, equipment investment, and learning potential. You may have ...