Skip to main content

The Art of Orchestration: Coordinating Complex Home Technology Installations

the-art-of-orchestration-coordinating-complex-home-technology-installations

Behind Every Installation Is a Team That Makes It Look Effortless

Luxury home technology installations demand precision timing and careful coordination between multiple trades. When motorized shades, lighting control systems, and home audio needs to integrate with electrical work, millwork, and architectural details, the margin for error disappears. A single misstep—like scheduling drywall before invisible speakers are installed—can derail timelines and budgets. The project managers at Barrett's Technology Solutions serve as the central coordination point, bringing decades of experience to working with trades so that technology integration fits into the overall project plan and is not an afterthought. Through careful planning and communication, what could become chaotic becomes a carefully orchestrated process that runs smoothly.

The Quarterback Role

The project managers often step into the quarterback role for Barrett’s Technology Solutions, a responsibility that goes far beyond simple scheduling. "By bringing our experience to the decision-making process, sometimes we can be as much a consultant as we are a project manager," explains Bill Ekstrand, Production Manager. This expertise proves invaluable when preventing costly mistakes—imagine discovering that drywall was scheduled before invisible speaker installation, requiring walls to be reopened and refinished.

The timing coordination extends across every aspect of the project. Network infrastructure must be in place before control systems arrive. Lighting rough-in and electrical infrastructure need to happen before fixtures are installed. Audio equipment requires proper ventilation planning before cabinetry is finalized. Our project managers understand these interdependencies intimately, working with general contractors and trade partners to establish and tweak schedules that keep everyone moving forward efficiently. Field Project Manager, Gerry Handall alluded to showing up consistently, “I collaborate by being there, looking out for other trades, helping out when they need it, like providing blueprints or schematics.”

When elite designers handle overall project coordination, Barrett's Technology Solutions can also be a  team player, and our project managers integrate smoothly into our partner's established processes. When coordination falls to the general contractor, our experience becomes an invaluable resource for keeping technology integration on track.

Collaboration in Action

Real-world examples demonstrate how our collaborative approach solves complex challenges. Bill recently worked on a project featuring challenging arched window treatments that required a completely custom solution. "We worked together with the architect and the shade installer to devise a unique mounting solution," he explains. By bringing different perspectives together, the team developed an installation method that could potentially become a new standard for similar architectural features.

Adrian Bahena, Project Manager, emphasizes that successful collaboration starts within the company before reaching the job site. "At Barrett's, everyone recognizes the value of their role and that of others. Each person understands how their contribution affects the success of their teammates." This internal teamwork creates a ripple effect—trade partners enjoy working with our team members because the coordination runs smoothly, leading to better results and repeat partnerships.

The impact becomes immediately visible to clients. "When clients see that within 30 minutes of delivering the component rack that they have a live and functional system, that becomes a truly wow moment," Adrian notes. It’s not luck—it's the result of our unique production room process, where systems are built, programmed, and thoroughly tested before arriving at the client's home. The careful pre-work and coordination mean installation days proceed without surprises.

What Makes Barrett's Different

The difference lies in how Barrett's Technology Solutions approaches both challenges and teamwork. "Work is enjoyable when everyone works hard to fulfill their role while looking out for their teammates," Adrian explains. "Part of that is recognizing that there will be times when things will be overlooked or mistakes will be made, and when it happens, these are addressed constructively." This mindset creates an environment where collaboration thrives rather than competition between teams.

To second that regard, Gerry chimed in, “What makes Barrett’s Technology Solutions different is that your voice is being heard. It feels more family at the job, at work.” When you know your ideas matter to your co-workers, managers, and leaders, then you’re more likely to contribute to our growth.

Bill points to the company’s commitment to continuous improvement: "We constantly look to refine our process and our product offerings to provide the best solutions. What we do in our role is just another crucial part of our overall team's success. We attempt to put our technicians in the best position for success by looking out for potential obstacles and minimizing them." 

 

Luxury home technology projects succeed when experienced professionals coordinate every detail behind the scenes. Barrett's project managers bring both technical expertise and collaborative skills that make these complex installations appear almost effortless to our clients.

If you're a homeowner, builder, or designer interested in partnering with a collaborative team for your next home technology project, contact us today. 

Yes, Video Walls Are for Homes, Too